Showing posts with label Maria Tran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maria Tran. Show all posts

Monday, April 18, 2011

TREASURE: Quest for Jackie Chan Fan Sketch!

While working on 3 computers in succession (one on each state of mind), the "recreational" computer was trawling online and landed across this ever so cute Quest for Jackie Chan! dedication.

Sophia A. was one of the audience members of the "Maximum Choppage: Round 2" screening I did in Newcastle earlier this year. I recall driving for like 2 and a half hours north out of Sydney to launch and speak at this event, and always in great spirits that other youngies get inspired to take on the arts field, whether, filmmaking or acting.

At the end of the session, I gave away my last two Jackie Chan shirts I had in stock as well as some stick art. A few responded with their own art works that were sketched on the fly and I guess Ms little Sophia missed out - only to be discovered online.

All the best Sophia! and thank you for your kindness and founded digital piece of inspiration, that adds to the growth of the "Quest".

Intended title: For Maria Tran's Quest for Jackie Chan!

last night i went to the loft in town, and had another Inzine meeting about the current upcoming Inzine, and talked about the things i still have to submit for it. Which are a review on the best ninja game in the world (my opinion) "Red Ninja" and a drawing for a pirate and ninja spot the difference.


After the meeting, me and the other members went ahead watched a movie made by Maria Tran, who is currently doing a project to find and meet Jackie Chan. This picture included in this post is dedicated to her quest. It is a chibi of the legendary kung fu comedy actor himself, Jackie Chan!!


GOOD LUCK MARIA TRAN!! I hope you succeed in meeting jackie Chan.


EVENT: 2011 Shortcuts Film Festival

I had a great time co-hosting the 2011 Shortcuts Film Festival – Western Sydney’s only youth short film festival at the Powerhouse Youth Theatre. There was a turn out of approximately 150 people all coming to support their budding filmmakers and their short film.

I would like to congratulate Vinh Nguyen [pictured right] (whom was involved in Vietnamese Stories Digital Storytelling Project & Vietnamese Theatre Project – projects that I’ve coordinated in the past) on his award for Best Film – The Tech Effect. Vinh has entered into Shortcuts for the past 5 years and have been vying for the major category ever since. He’s definitely grown as a filmmaker over the years, testing different styles, genres and formats of storytelling.

Also a major big congratulations to the makers of short film “Canvale High – School of Cliques”. Directed by John Nguyen and Peter Thai Tran, with the collaboration of their year 10 school mates, their first time ever film took out runners up for People’s Choice Awards on the night. I facilitated their filmmaking sessions at Canley Vale High and am impressed with their developments throughout the short time span I was with them.

It was also awesome to see Mr Robert Shehadie (“Fat Pizza” and “Housos”) made a supporting appearance and share a few bellyful of laughs as well.

This year, we had Aga Kolaczkowski (Emerging & Filmmakers Fund for Screen NSW) and TV actor Steve LeMarquand as our judges. Unfortunately, two of our other judges pulled out the last minute and our dependable and all time mentor Craig Anderson (“Double The Fist”) was happy to fill in.

Big ups to Kimberley Tan for a great festival coordination of the event and hopefully it will develop even further in 2012.

SHORTCUTS ’11 Winners

Best Film

The Tech Effect – Vinh Nguyen

Audience Choice Award

The Tech Effect – Vinh Nguyen

Best Script


Metal Kingdom – Skylie Moss, Corey Bolton & Hayley Franke

Best Actor

Kyle Mcleavy in No Empathy

Best Cinematography

Hello Panda – Ali Kadhim

Best Sound Design

A Rock’s Life – Robert NC Thomas

Best Editing

The Tech Effect – Vinh Nguyen


Charming & clever Rob Shehadie


Sunday, April 17, 2011

SERIOUS: All Asian do not look the same!

After a recent forward by a facebook triple "A" (Asian-Australian Activist), Timothy Ly and I have been recently linked to the most unrelated article to date. I don't know where friggin' mainstream media stuff up at, but the person who thought.."Hmm....Asian and Kung Fu, where do we get the most chopsocky pic that may look like it relates to this exotic incident".

So they chose our pic, which, has got nothing to do with the "oh..my god...Asians do kung fu...on airlines!". The photo that I took with Daily Telegraph was in conjunction to Maximum Choppage: Round 2 and Bruce Lee's outdoor film screening (Click here).

Seriously the story itself (which is about HK Airline training their staff in Kung Fu) is less than fascinating. Asians do kung fu everywhere, at home, the workplace, the toilet...whats the big deal that now its airborne. Its the same thing as Aussies eating weatbix everywhere, at home, the workplace, and if they are lazy, maybe the toilet. Yeah, I know what you may be thinking, Maria, your god damn racist. No, not at all, I'm just making my point that Asian stereotypes are simply so boring nowadays.

Now back to the picture, its not that I'm trying to make a big deal about it, I'm more than happy for you to use the pic News.com.au. It would be nice to at least let me know about it and to think that you'll get away with it....No way...Asians are everywhere in this country, we are disguised as "nerds" but our excel in maths, sciences and in a lot of case English (we read newspapers three times over to make the most of it) so it would of eventually come back to me.

But don't they get it? Mainstream ignorant actions can have dire consequences, even if it only affects two Asian people amongst others in Australia. An affect that could mean that the next time I fly out of the country, other passengers will recognise me as the face to "Kung Fu Militant Airline Association" and place their own life in my supposingly Kung Fu skills that really, I don't have. Imagine a whole plane or so, thinking I can save them, placing their bets on my competency in Airline Kung Fu training.

Unfortunately, I will fail them, and probably drive the friggin' plane into something iconically Australian at the same time.

Think, Hundreds dead, hundreds more injured and I blasted most of the Australian Protectionist Party's Headquarters. Its not my fault, its all news.com.au small error.

ONLINE: My Place ABC Children’s TV Series

All episodes has now been DVD pre-packaged and selling at ABC Shops across Australia. You can check out my impressions as late 30s Vietnamese mum “Thi Mai” in this episode “Lily – 1988”.

An interactive website is also up and running as well as this series has been made into some sort of educational pack for schools across Australia. Good job Matchbox Pictures!

For more about my experiences you can check my previous blogs.

Blog 1

Blog 2

WATCH: Laurent Boiteux on Hungry Jack’s TVC

Congratulations to budding actor/ filmmaker Laurent Boiteux and his first commercial gig on the Australia nation-wide airing of Hungry Jack’s commercial. Laurent is Brisbane born and has since risked it all, and migrated to Sydney for the past year. His transition into being a working actor has been an easy one, but after further developing his skills, collaborating on many projects, gathering enough material for his showreel, he has finally hit a nice and juicy gig – his first TVC.

On the topic of acting, here are some tips:

1. Skill yourself up: Acting is a craft and you need to sharpen your skills in preparation of any potential role. A pretty face can only get you so far and great acting will be the determining factor in leaving a good and professional impression.

2. Know where the jobs are at: If you want to work in film and TV, it is good to know where to find work. NY and LA are the place where most casting directors are based. But if you can’t relocate, that’s still fine, just be prepared to go back and forth if something potential pops up.

3. Sacrifice: Understand that there are just some things that have to be missed out for the sake of the craft. That could mean letting go of a relationship, missing out on certain friendships. Its safe to say that acting isn’t a structured 9-5 kind of thing, you may be required to work up to 14 hours per day and be away from home for months.

4. Let go of your ego: Good actors are able to let themselves go 100% to the characters they are portraying in order to get a quality performance.

5. Be nice: Live of a philosophy of being kind and positive towards other people, no who they are and what they do. What goes around comes around.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

THOUGHT: Perving on a Hairy Canary

I was chilling by myself today and I couldn't help but notice this middle age man gawking at this young lass across the room. When I say, gawking, I mean gawking and licking his lips while checking out her long (freaking long) legs leading to a very, very short, short, napkin-like skirt. To me, the dude just look like a freaking open to the public pervert that looked like he was in need of some (one) and couldn't get none.

"You perve...", I thought to myself.

Then the chick noticed the leering man, winked at him, wringled her skirt higher and then did this thing where she consciously pouted her lips more, leaned over and rested her boobs on the table (its like one of those optical illusions women do to make you think we got them big).

I literally witnessed his jaw slightly dropped, and if he's wasn't dehydrated from the excitement, I'm sure a thick drool would have slowly dropped. My mind starting playing its own cheesy 80s retro music and everything I started seeing had this haziness glow.

Then, the unthinkable happened. Here's a film to watch; Basic Instincts. Yes she did! She did the notorious Sharon Stone leg part!

For me, it was all down in slow mo. Whether it was my own mind's effect or her intended manipulation of time, her actions were so alluring that it got to my curiosity as well.

Panties or no panties?

If you think about it. Panties are good, it was cold and downstairs region is just like any other part of the body, it can get cold. Plus, people naturally wear it and its a great bug repellent.

But you might have guess what I saw.

The dude must of frozen in time (a heart murmur?) while the coffee in my tummy turned sour.

What is with the no undies thing!

OMG! Ewwww......Arrrgghhhh! Plus she wasn't a porn star kind of chick and she definitely needed the Brazillian nation to help her.

So there's my story of leering at another chick's Amazonia - zena-style- dark ages downstairs!

My eyeballs dropped and needed to be soaped out. Mum would definitely kill me and hit me with her Buddha palms.

Another thing, out of all places to be sending these XXX signals - a late nightclub, I understand but in a room full of senior citizens? Someone could have gotten serious affected.

Love y'all & this one was a random one.

P.S - You might ask, what am I doing hanging at a senior citizen club. Hey man! I have friends in high ranks too you know.

Peace out & ladies....if you gonna flaunt it, keep it trimmed.

ESCAPISM: Flight to Melbourne

I've taken advantage to escape Sydney life for the next few days and have head down south to the culture life of Melbourne - my destination for relaxation and unwinding. Well not really. I had two hours of sleep this morning and look a bit like a train wreck. Age is getting to me, and 2 hours of sleep just doesn't cut it anymore. This weekend I'm scheduled for You Cake's next sort film production called "Interpretations" that will be shot on Sunday. I caught up with some more Stanislavski readings, applications and notetaking for Tueday's acting class I run at Powerhouse Youth Theatre for the 9Lives crew.

I don't know if I've ever told you, but I have a strange obsessive thing of human observation. It started when I was a young kid and according to my parents, I had a strange timespan in my life where I stopped talking for a year, moving into a stutter problem then a OCD-like thing with particular words I was constantly say to describe everything. I do acknowledge that there were times in my primary school years that I develop a social phobia, yet at the same time a obsession with guessing people's behaviours. In addition, my parent's recall me being a vivid bullshit artist with a tenacious sense of self belief that I can talk ants up to really having big bulgy eyes and antennas that spark up with electricity at the times of 11.15pm every three weeks. So there's my artistic actory roots. Nothing NIDA prestigious acting school accredited but from a troublesome childhood and living with glitches in the mind.

So what's your childhood best bullshit moments?

Sunday, March 27, 2011

||OPTIC STORIES|| Mixed Media & Graphics Art Workshops in April @ ICE

Another freebie workshop for those interested in the realm of mixed media and graphics art. Sign in quick if you think this is the skill you would like to develop!

Free mixed media workshops for young people living in Western Sydney with local digital media artist Eddie Abd – illustrator, painter and digital storyteller, and Iraqi-Canadian artist-in-residence Sundus Abdul Hadi – painter, visual and multimedia artist.

The workshops will run for six weeks in visual art including painting, graphic art and photography with the focus on using images to tell a story – your story!

WHEN

Workshops will run for four weeks on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout April

Thursdays | 7, 14, 21 and 28 April | 4pm-7pm

Saturdays | 9, 16, 23 and 30 April | 10am -4pm

WHERE

Switch Digital Arts Centre, 8 Victoria Road, Parramatta

15 mins walk from Parramatta Station

All participants will receive a certificate for attending the workshops. They will also be invited to

present their work at a public event and exhibition.

Register now. Limited spaces available. To book or for more information contact Maria on 02 9897 5744 or email maria.tran@ice.org.au

14 hours sleep time - 6 reasons why you should Sleep!


I know I'm a big advocate for the saying "sleep when you are dead" but this week I simply crashed and slept 14 hours straight after a bout of "sleepless in Seattle" moments, running from one projects to the next.

But the 14 hours that I forcefully embraced was so needed if I was to sustain the things I do. I did feel slightly guilty, as I retrospected on what "things" I could be doing in 14 hours instead of lying motionless in one place for such an extended period of time.

All I can say is sleep is vital. After 14 hours of crashing and burning, my battery pack was recharged to the full and I'm able to think much more clearly and sharply without the use of a mix of "bad for the body" concoction of things.

So here are 6 things why sleep is important:

1. Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who’d slept after learning a task did better on tests later.

2. Metabolism and weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.

3. Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime. These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps, and road accidents.

4. Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.

5. Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.

6. Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

PROJECT: Meals on Wheels with Adrian Castro

I get all sorts of emails lately branded with "Quest for Jackie Chan is dead". But wait on a sec, just because I haven't met Jackie Chan doesn't mean the whole quest world has collapsed. Everything I do is purposeful and I don't believe in failure, just obstacles that tests our capabilities.

So the "Quest" has veered its directions to the making of a quality movie of my journeys (as well as many others) on the "Quest". This Sunday, i spent a solid 3 hours with film buddy Adrian Castro who is committed in recreating the Meals on Wheels Benny The Jet vs Jackie Chan notorious fight scene.

I was lucky enough to meet Benny The Jet last year (through Misha & Warren Coulton) and ever have been inspired to pay homage to the meet up.

So in the month of April, myself and Mr Castro will be dedicating our 10 solid hours a week in full exploration of fight choreography, training, costume design and location scouting all in the lead up to a full 2 day shoot of one of Jackie's best fight scenes of all time. I will be playing "Jackie" (girl version but with the same hairstyle) while Adrian will be donning "Benny". I look forward to working with Adrian because I know his level of pedanticness and "go hard or go home" attitude will surely push this clip (which will be a part of the "Quest") to the best it can possibly be.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

MEDIA: The big boss says get Chan on the case

Thanks to facebooker Gary Phuong, he's quick media scan has brought to my attention of Jackie Chan news that is much closer to home. Looks like Multicultural community-liaison officer Imanuel Choyce has beaten me to it in meeting Jackie Chan. But I'm pretty proud to see a local Cabramatta-based person connecting to the Chan man himself and the news that "if" Jackie was coming to Australia, he'll be sure to visit Sydney's Asian hotspot. Next week I'm scheduled to have a meet with Mr Choyce and get some advice on what he thinks are ways we can connect and make it even a bigger reason for Jackie to come to the Western burbs. I mean, we got parkour, our own Cabramatta made "Maximum Choppage" Kung Fu movie, and now in development "Quest for Jackie Chan!" to ride this wave.
Cabramatta Kid: New Cabramatta crime-prevention ambassador Jackie Chan shows off his certificate of appreciation signed by local area commander Superintendent Ray King and (right) police and multicultural liaison officer Immanuel Choyce present the certificate.

The big boss says get Chan on the case

15 Mar, 2011 07:42 PM
HE FLIPS. He dives. He demolishes doors and climbs backwards down palm trees.

Brave — nay, foolish — is the acrobat who tries to outflip him.

And then he turns, he stares and he delivers the verbal kick in the stomach.

"Discretion is my middle name, sir," he says with a glint in his eye.

Jackie Chan might be discreet by name, certainly not by nature.

It's why the kung-fu king is the proud new ambassador for crime prevention in Cabramatta.

And get ready to flip out because the international superstar promised to visit next time he is in the country.

Cabramatta police officers approached Mr Chan — no doubt cautiously given his propensity to kick — to ask if he would like to accept the off-screen role.

Multicultural community-liaison officer Imanuel Choyce went to Hong Kong to chat with the star of the recent hit remake of The Karate Kid.

Mr Chan didn't toss and turn over his decision and was quick to accept the new mission.

He was presented with an appreciation certificate signed by local area-commander Superintendent Ray King.

Superintendent King said he hoped this appointment would strengthen the relationships between the local police and the community.

"Many residents are hesitant and fearful of talking to police about crime," he said.

"I think Jackie Chan is the perfect person to have as an ambassador. He's a good role model for people to look up to. We're always looking for new ways to build up relationships with the community."

As the face of crime prevention Mr Chan will be taking up a new kind of fight.

He will encourage Cabramatta residents to report crime and promote a safe and harmonious community.

Superintendent King said that the command would maintain regular correspondence.

Fairfield might have missed out on a visit from Oprah but Mr Chan promised Cabramatta will be on his list when he next heads down under.

Forget The Karate Kid. Now he's the Cabramatta kid.


INITIATIVES: Asian Australian Cultural Association @ UWS

Its exciting to see the Asian- Australians represent themselves and become more "visible" in mainstream communities. But I was a little surprised when blogger Asian Downunder forwarded me this clip that might have given people the wrong impressions about me.

It was some sort of guessing game the students had a a competition, and they had to guess who these "ALPHA ASIAN AUSTRALIANS" were. Amongst you tube queen Natalie Tran, My Chonny, actor Chris Pang and musician Thanh Bui, there's me.

Hmmm....I'm not sure what to make of it....I certainly don't feel overly "alpha" and feel quite normal and doing normal things that every other Asians do right? We eat rice, make kung fu films, and "don't want noooo trouble!"....

Anyhow, thanks for the plug AACA! Check out their clip here.

The Asian Australian Cultural Association raised their colours for the first time at UWS O week. AACA is a non profit student organisation dedicated to promoting and strengthening Asian Australian culture. We organise social events and provide a platform for young people to connect and share through the shared mutual interest of Asian Australian culture and the culture of Asians in Australia.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

EXHIBITION: Photography - Pride & Passion by Danny Huynh

Last year, I was invited to be a part of photographer Danny Huynh's shoot for his collection of photographic portraits "Pride & Passion" at the Fairfield Museum & Gallery (showing from 19 March - 15 May).

Below is one of the photos as a part of the collection. The theme is cultural traditional costumes that are worn at locations which have meaning to us.
I chose this red "áo dài" (Vietnamese traditional national costume) as my favorite costume design. "Red" is symbolic for "lucky" and it is something I identify with growing up in a hybrid culture (I'm a generation 2.0; Australian-born to Vietnamese parents) in Australia.

I also chose the location was Oakdene Park, Carramar (Bland St) and my favorite 160 year old tree. I love this tree and feel a deep connection with it throughout my childhood years. This tree has survived the times and it continues to represent growth, life, stability and having deeper connections with people.

Anyhow, do join me if you are in town for the launch event.

Date: Saturday, 19 March, 2011
Time: 2pm
Location: Fairfield City Museum and Gallery | Cnr The Horsley Drive & Oxford Street, Smithfield NSW 2164
Launched by Mayor Nick Lalich, Fairfield City Council.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

SCREENING: STUFF! - 7 Shorts by 7 filmmakers....

Quite recently, I've been questioned on whether I'm a "performing artist" or an aspiring "actress". The truth of the matter, I don't know. I dabble in things here and there and see myself as an agent of change and growth. But here's something that probably my parents would slap in the face for.

Last year (mid-June) I got involved in a film production called "Stuff" working with producers Billy Stone Marshall King and Amin Palangi. The short film was written by my film buddy Marie Setiawan and co-directed by her. (This girl paved her way into studying at the International Film School at the moment, but I'm definitely very proud of her).

According to my colleagues, this role builds more range for my acting palette. Most definitely - especially when you'll get to see some errmmmm.... on screen implied action (if that's the word).

So if you are in town (Sydney) do book yourself in to this free screening.

Details are below:
The long anticipated launch of the films produced for STUFF l The Drama of it all screen project is coming up on Thursday 24 March at Parramatta Riverside Theatres.

The premiere of these seven compelling films from seven unique directors in Greater Western Sydney is the culmination of almost a year's work honing their skills in writing, directing and producing.

Where: Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres
Date: Thursday March 24
Start: 6.30pm
RSVP: Monday, March 21 to Jackie.Leewai@ice.org.au / 02 9897 5744

The long awaited launch of STUFF l The Drama of it all is coming up on Thursday 24 March at Parramatta Riverside Theatres. The premiere of these seven compelling films from seven different and unique directors from Greater Western Sydney is the culmination of almost a year’s work honing their skills in writing, directing and producing.

Through the workshops and filming process the directors were introduced to the world of dramatic, character-based storytelling with mentoring by acclaimed screen writer and editor Billy Marshall Stoneking and director and writer Amin Palangi.

Marie Setiawan, one of the STUFF participants and the Director of the short film Fairytale, had this to say about her experience:

“As a filmmaker, this whole process has given me a greater insight into how things worked. Though it threw me into the deep-end regarding the directorial role, it’s only made me realise what kind of person I can be, and only made me strive harder to work efficiently and effectively as a filmmaker”

Thank you to Parramatta City Council for providing the funding for this.

GENDER TYPES: Are you (into) a Palmy, Prada, or Prickteaser?

Yesterday,the 8th of March, was International Women’s Day, a day when women can celebrate their strengths and their fight for equality. That was yesterday, today, I’m back been thrown another label the “Alpha chick”. What the hell is that?

I’ve heard of Alpha males, which describes the male category that exudes physical appeal, are serial achievers, and sexual attraction. But the alpha woman is such a “hush hush” thing.

My further wonderment landed me to summarise the Alpha species into 3 main types:

1. The Palmys

2. The Prada's

3. The Prickteases

The Palmys: (or pure, pastoral) they have very strong natural feminine energy or character.

The natural alpha woman is the more traditional woman as you know her. She hasn't 'developed' necessarily as much as Prada's and she hasn't been influenced as much as the Prickteases. The Palmy would make a perfect wife because she has not been corrupted over with unnatural/frictional dogma.

The Alpha women you are more used to are the Prada's and Prickteases who intimidate the crap out of most men daily.

And all other women are a general combination usually of lesser than Alpha quality. Now of course each woman is different and unique but that falls under her Inner Character.

The Prada's: The Prada's are the long-term girlfriend types (so you think). They're the intelligent, hard-working, 'independent', career woman who knows how to dress really well. You don't think of sex with her when you see her but you love her energy and are still thrown off by the idea of being with her. They often have an aloof and dismissive attitude towards men because of their acquired independence. The Prada's are the 'Inner' Character Alpha women because they have developed a strong, independent and unique personality and persona. E.g - Oprah Winfrey, Condi Rice, newsanchor women, Nicole Kidman…

The Prickteases: are very dependent on being social. They generally have bleached blonde

hair, fake boobs, tight, sexy clothes and they are used to being the stimulus like their role models of Playboy girls and porn stars. E.g – Paris Hilton.

So each woman has a bit of Palmy, Prada and Pricktease in her. They are all different but it's these three alpha female models that will train you to have power.

Why I made this posting? In hangover celebrations of International Women's Day of course, and maybe so pointers like this can get people who are missing action - Some....

Personally, Alpha women are not that bad. Maybe men don't understand them (us) but in a nutshell we are just born to lead and quite clever and somewhat pretty. The innate trait is that women of this kind aspires to smash down that glass ceiling.

Here's some tips for being an Alpha woman:

1. Be extraordinarily confident. In order to be an Alpha you have to have confidence in yourself. There is no beating around the bush when it comes to being a leader. So start by meeting and networking with 3 new people each day. You don't have to like them but you will be using courage and this will build up your confidence a great deal.

2. Develop a group of genuine friends. It isn't possible to be an Alpha without having a group of friends or clique that will let you lead them. An Alpha will also stay true to this group and make sure that it doesn't fall apart. That displays leadership skills to their highest degree.Don't be mean or rude because your friends will slip through your fingers. Try to have a beta, a second in command.

3. Try your best to look your best. Make a good first impression on anybody you meet. You don't have to wear designer EVERYTHING to look good!

4. Be happy with your life. Who would want to be friends with a person who is in a bad mood all the time? Try to be optimistic about everything and try to keep your cool and not have a meltdown when something bad happens.

SNEAK PEEK: The Butcher, The Chef and The Swordsman in Australia

Its great to see that Asian action films are hitting mainstream Australian cinemas with the push of China Lion Film group. Tomorrow, I'll be hitting the city to check the preview the highly stylised martial arts action-comedy - THE BUTCHER, THE CHEF AND THE SWORDSMAN, - before its national release (also in North America and New Zealand) on March 17.

Here's a bit of a blurb:

THE BUTCHER, THE CHEF AND THE SWORDSMAN follows the journey of a mystical blade as it passes through the hands of three ambitious men. As the interwoven story unfolds, they find that the blade possesses the power to dramatically change the fate of each of its owners. The Butcher is a simple man in love with a beautiful courtesan, but is rebuffed each time he approaches her. The Chef is a handsome loner obsessed with seeking vengeance for the slaughter of his family. The Swordsman, the son of a legendary warrior, is consumed by the desire to eclipse his father in both power and fame. Their stories comes full circle as each man takes possession of the mystical blade and discovers its double edge--- the great power it bestows is matched by even greater danger.


Directed by up-and-coming Chinese filmmaker Wuershan, the film is Executive Produced by acclaimed director and producer Doug Liman (Bourne Identity, Mr & Mrs Smith, Go) who calls the film CROUCHING TIGER meets PULP FICTION!


Check out there Trailer here!

To win a DOUBLE PASS giveaway to see the movie, email me maria.tran@questforjackiechan.com on the 16 March your answer to this...

In less than 25 words, which is the greater evil: IGNORANCE, GREED or VENGENANCE...and why?

To other news about the Asian film industry, China looks like the next big thing when it comes to "exploding markets" and my colleague Clint Logan has recently forward me this link "China vies for its own Hollywood". So I hope the Australian Film Industry, up the scales, start investing in the action film genre and also the martial arts genre (According to Cable (2009) the Martial Arts Genre rates more "sellable" globally than "dramas" than "comedies"). Since 2006, Australia and China has only forge two co-productions. What's in it for the future? In the meantime, let's start learn more about this genre, hit the Greater Union screens and check out the international content, use it as a source of drive and make some martial arts genred films from downunder.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

RANDOM: Just hopping around...

Here's some public random play (Click here) from yours truly - me! Nah. Every now and then I have an idiot itch I have to scratch so here it is.

I had couple of "I think this is unprofessional representation of yourself, young lady...". So what is professional representation? What is my profession? I work and play in the arts sector and yeah, I know professionalism too!

But what is so harmful in donning a bunny suit? It could be a cultural thing, my own youth identity, a new fad, I just got back from the anime convention, or for medical reasons. So don't you *Tsk *tsk me because who I represent, a breed/ movement/ wave of cultural and media makers who just know what we want and are proud of showing it.

But hey, on another note, email me in some of your costumes you got hidden in the closet. Is it superman, spiderman or Darth Vader!

(Please note, any naughty ones will have to be altered with "stars" ^_^)
P.S - Shout out to Ridwan Hassim who has lent me the bunny suit (which I've developed an attachment to and have troubles returning it)

Would Jackie Chan management let a looney meet him?