Big Media plans 12-15 films
The Hollywood Reporter
By Karen Chu
March 17, 2008
HONG KONG -- Hong Kong-based production company Big Media is set to
reinvigorate the Chinese-language market by launching a HK$250
million ($32 million) slate of 12-15 projects in Mandarin and
Cantonese this year.
Established as the production arm of Hong Kong film and TV group
Mei Ah Entertainment, Big Media has been detached from the Mei Ah
financial structure since the sale of 21% of its stake in January
to Chinese investor Brandon Wen. However, Big Media will continue
to utilize Mei Ah's business network and subsidiaries in China and
Taiwan to foster co-productions and promote the film industry in
the Greater China region.
To this end, Big Media is adapting a market segmentation strategy
to target markets in the Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and regions
further afield.
Its 2008 projects range from commercial films to prestige pictures,
with budgets between HK$10 million-HK$100 million ($1.28
million-$12.8 million).
In line with the trend of Hong Kong-China co-productions, one-third
of the slate will be co-produced with Chinese studios.
"Butterfly Lovers," a high-profile action-romance by director
Jingle Ma, headlines the 2008 slate. Charlene Choi ("Kung Fu
Dunk"), of the pop duo Twins, has replaced her scandal-plagued
bandmate Gillian Chung to star with Taiwanese singer-actor Wu Chun
in the update of the oft-adapted folk tale.
Other highlights include "Marriage With a Fool II," the sequel to
the 2006 surprise hit starring swimmer-turned-pop star Alex Fong;
"Turandot," director Ching Siu-tong's action-fantasy; the Louis Koo
starrer "The Kung Fu Couple" by director Wilson Yip; and
horror-comedy "V for Vampire" by Vincent Kok, featuring Sammo Hung
and Ronald Cheng..."