Downside given thumbs up
By Patrick Frater
Thu, 07 July 2011, 11:57 AM (HKT)
Chinese and New Zealand companies are to co-operate on a $15 million animated film Downside Story 地下城傳奇.
Producers Michael BENNETT and Maile DAUGHERTY have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-produce the $15 million film with Beijing's Xing Xing Digital Corporation 幸星數字娛樂科技（北京）有限公司.
Set in Shanghai, the film's story follows the adventures of a teenage sewer rat as he tries to save a lost kitten. It was pitched at last month's Shanghai International Film Festival 上海國際電影節 as a Hong Kong-set story.
New Zealand's visual effects company Weta Workshop provided some concept art for the project, but is not currently involved. Finance for Downside Story is expected to come from the New Zealand Film Commission, regional government in China and private Chinese investors. Delivery is expected in 2013.
"This is an exciting co-production project and well-positioned to take advantage of the NZ/China Film Co-production Agreement signed last year," said Michael Stephens, entertainment lawyer and New Zealand's International Delegate to the Shanghai festival.
Xing Xing Digital Corporation also does visual effects for feature films. It recently provided fantasy sequences for Eternal Moment 將愛情進行到底, What Women Want 我知女人心, Disney High School Musical China 歌舞青春 (2010) and Sophie's Revenge 非常完美 (2009).
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Super-slick Valentine's Day movie misses the natural charm of the TV series that inspired it.
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Andy Lau and Gong Li shine in an improved remake of the US rom-com.