ROME -- The Venice Film Festival has selected Chinese actioner "Blood Brothers," from first-time helmer Alexi Tan, as the closer for its 64th edition.

Produced by Terence Chang's Lions Rock Prods. and John Woo, Shanghai-set crimer is the first Chinese title from Lions Rock, which Chang launched in 1997 to make Hollywood movies.

Inspired by Woo's "Bullet in the Head," Mandarin-language tale of three youths, each of whom takes a different path when faced with criminal temptations in the corrupt society of 1930s Shanghai, will preem internationally out of competition at the Lido on Sept. 8, after bowing in Asia in mid-August.

Fest will run Aug. 29-Sept. 8.

"Blood Brothers" stars Liu Ye ("Curse of the Golden Flower"), Daniel Wu ("Everlasting Regret") and Chang Chen ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"), who are expected on the red carpet.

Venice topper Marco Muller said this year's fest will mix the work of promising young helmers with that of established heavyweights.

The opener is an adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel "Atonement," the sophomore feature from 35-year-old Brit helmer Joe Wright ("Pride & Prejudice").

The fest's lineup will be announced July 26.

© Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bookmark with..

Comments (0)

Write comment

This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.

There is a problem with the comment system, or you do not have javascript enabled.