a jiang wen film chow yun-fat jiang wen ge you

present
A
CHOW YUN-FAT
JIANG WEN FILM
JIANG WEN
GE YOU
DIRECTED BY: Jiang Wen
RELEASE DATE: March 2, 2012
RUN TIME/FORMAT: 132 minutes / 2.35 scope / 35mm and digital formats
LANGUAGE: Chinese with English Subtitles. Presented in its original, uncut version.
RATING: Not rated. Contains adult humor and frequent strong, graphic violence. Recommended for 15+
Official Website: www.letthebulletsfly.wellgomovies.com
To Download Stills/Video/Press Materials: www.variancefilms.com/bulletspress
Press Contact (LA/National): Rene Ridinger / mPRm
323.933.3399 x 4228 / [email protected]
Press Contact (NY): Emma Griffiths / Emma Griffiths PR
917.438.5074 / [email protected]
Theatrical Distribution Contact: Dylan Marchetti / Variance Films
212.537.6769 / [email protected]
Master Huang Fox / The Double
“Pocky” Zhang Muzhi / The Governor
Counselor Tang
The Mistress
Number Two
Number Three
Number Four
Number Five
Number Six
Number Seven
Flora
Hu Wan
Hu Qian
Wu Zhichong
The Fake Pocky Zhang
Katama Hafumiko
Sun Shouyi
The Dead Counselor
Tang’s Jilted Wife
Chow Yun-Fat
Jiang Wen
Ge You
Carina Lau
Shao Bing
Liao Fan
John Do
Li Jing
Zhang Mo
Wei Xiao
Zhou Yun
Chen Kun
Yao Lu
Jiang Wu
Hun Jun
Bai Bing
Hu Ming
Feng Xiaogang
Maio Pu
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
ZHAO FEI
IMAGE DESIGNER
WILLIAM CHANG SUK-PING
MUSIC BY
JOE HISAISHI
SHU NAN
SCREENPLAY BY
ZHU SUJIN
SHU PING
JIANG WEN
GUO JUNLI
WEI XIAO
LI BUKONG
ADAPTED FROM
“YE TAN SHI JI” BY MA SHITU
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
ZHOU LI
DONG PING
HE SHIPING
ALBERT YEUNG
HAN SANPING
MA KE
PRODUCERS
BARBIE TUNG
ZHAO HAICHENG
MA KE
DIRECTED BY
JIANG WEN
ALBERT LEE
YIN HOMBER
In the lawless land that is rural China in the 1920s, legendary bandit “Pocky” Zhang (Jiang Wen) and his
gang stage a train robbery. They are quite unhappy to discover that instead of silver, the only thing left
on the train is the con man, Tang (Ge You). Desperate, Tang explains that he’s on his way to Goose
Town, where he’s bought himself a governorship. If allowed to live, he will help Zhang assume the
governorship in his place… where Zhang can make more money in one month as a corrupt politician
than he can in a year’s worth of train robberies. With Tang as his prisoner/counselor, off they go.
But neither realizes that Goose Town is already under the iron rule of the wealthy Master Huang (Chow
Yun-Fat, The Killer, Hard Boiled), whose charming exterior conceals a ruthless, conniving crime lord.
As Zhang begins to see how badly Huang oppresses the citizens of Goose Town, he decides to do
something about it, and Huang quickly senses a major threat to his empire.
Thus begins an escalating series of hyper-violent (and hilarious) mind games between the bandit and
the crime lord, while the devious Tang tries to play both sides until he can exit the situation…preferably
with a profit. The stakes quickly rise to ludicrous proportions in this masterfully vicious, pitch-black
action-comedy (China’s highest grossing film of all time), and you’ll be laughing the entire time as
double- and triple-crosses, razor-sharp wordplay, and hundreds of thousands of bullets explode across
the screen.
100-WORD SHORT FORM
In this pitch-black action-comedy, the legendary bandit “Pocky” Zhang violently crosses paths with the
con man Tang, who desperately offers up an intriguing proposition: Zhang will become the governor of
Goose Town, where he can make more money in a month than he would in a year of train
robberies. But neither realizes that Goose Town is already under the iron rule of Master Huang (Hong
Kong action legend Chow Yun-Fat), a ruthless and wealthy crime lord. Zhang and Huang begin a
hyper-violent and hilarious series of escalating mind games in this witty, masterfully vicious film, China’s
highest-grossing of all time.
The creation of every film almost always comes from the meeting of the accidental and the inevitable.
Let The Bullets Fly is no exception. For me, the inevitable came after I finished In The Heat Of The Sun,
Devils On The Doorstep and The Sun Also Rises. These are three films I have always wanted to do.
Each one a different creature, and each taking off in a completely different direction. Now that they are
done, I feel that I am open to take on any kind of theme or story. The film medium has inevitably become
a much freer and open landscape for me.
And then the accidental happened.
I came across by chance a story by veteran Sichuan author Ma Shitu that has suspense, epic imagery
and emotion, all of which would instantly appeal to audiences in modern China. However, what was
even more appealing to me personally was the promise of an intricate insight into people and their world
of complicated interpersonal relationships. It also offers an opportunity for self-discovery as events
unfold.
Particularly meaningful and fascinating for me is how this story works on multiple levels. As you delve
into them, new layers of emotions and sensibility unfold.
There are a lot of characters in Let The Bullets Fly, many of them assuming several identities at the
same time. On the surface, the plot seems complex. However, it really is in essence a story about
coming of age. During production, I would sometimes subconsciously incorporate my own views and
sensibilities into the character of Zhang Muzhi, or “Pocky” Zhang. For me, Zhang and Let The Bullets Fly
represent an interesting personal realization of this stage in my own life.
-Jiang Wen
The Diaolou of Kaiping
The distinctive visual look of Let The Bullets Fly is partially due to the distinctive visual look of the district
of Kaiping, where much of the film was shot. Kaiping not only serves as a visual spectacular backdrop
for Let The Bullets Fly, but its unique history – from Master Huang’s export of Chinese slave laborers, a
common profession for the wealthy in the area, to his imposing fortified mansion (see below) – also
forms much of the background detail of the film as well.
Designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2007, the diaolou (or “sculpted towers”) of Kaiping in
China’s Guangdong province date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, spanning China’s Qing
dynasty and the early Republic. These fortified multi-story towers were build as protection against
bandits, not typically as houses. There were more than 3,000 of these structures at the peak of
construction, and thanks to preservation efforts (and excellent construction, largely of concrete), over
2,300 remain.
An important port area on the Pearl River Delta, Kaiping was a region of much emigration, and also a
returning point for the Chinese diaspora abroad during the era in which these ornate buildings were built.
Therefore, these towers typically incorporated Western architectural trends alongside Chinese structural
and decorative forms. The east-meets-west architecture shows an ingenious melding of form and
function – at once beautiful habitats as well as effective defenses against marauding bandits.
Doubling for the villainous Master Huang’s mansion in Let The Bullets Fly, Mingshi Lou is one of the
most famous surviving diaolous in the Zili Village. It was built in 1925 by its original owner, who returned
to China after making his fortune in America. Featuring Romanesque pillars and a Byzantine dome, this
historical building is one of the finest examples of the early fusion architectural style of Kaiping’s diaolou.
Great Court of the Mei Family
The immense Great Court of the Mei Family, another spectacular example of Kaiping’s architecture,
appears in Let The Bullets Fly as the hall of the magistracy and Yangyang Restaurant, where much of
the action takes place. Dating back to 1931, the Great Court is a veritable mini-city itself, consisting of
108 two- and three-story buildings, orderly arranged over an area of over 5 hectares, with a vast
open-air market in the middle.
Image and Costume Design
One of the most eye-catching aspects of Let The Bullets Fly, is the inimitable image and costume design
by award-winning image director William Chang Suk-Ping. No effort or expense was spared in
researching and realizing the meticulous recreation of the early Republican era of China – down to every
last stitch, fabric, and tiny detail. From the sumptuous but subtle sexiness of the traditional qipao (or
“cheungsam”) that hugs Carina Lau, the smart military uniforms (memorably worn at one point by the
cross-dressing hellcat played by Zhou Yun), to the understated elegance of Chow Yun-Fat’s
east-meets-west wardrobe, Chang’s unique vision in the image and costume design for Let The Bullets
Fly is, in itself, a feast for the eyes.
Chow Yun-Fat (as Master Huang Fox)
THE GODFATHER: A ruthless nobleman who amassed a vast fortune through opium and selling
Chinese laborers abroad, the tyrannical Master Huang runs Goose Town as his own personal fiefdom.
When the equally forceful “Pocky” Zhang arrives in the guise of the new county governor, a deadly
showdown between the two indomitable men becomes inevitable.
Even before he became familiar to wider audiences in the West as the heroic swordsman in Ang Lee’s
international hit Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Chow Yun-Fat has long been an icon of Hong
Kong cinema, thanks to his work in John Woo classics such as A Better Tomorrow (1986), The Killer
(1989) and Hard Boiled (1992). He is a double winner at both Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards and the
Hong Kong Film Awards in addition to numerous other acting accolades.
Chow remains one of the few Asian male leads to successfully cross over into Hollywood’s mainstream,
with starring roles in films such as The Replacement Killers (1998), The Corrupter (1999), Anna and The
King (1999), Bulletproof Monk (2003), and Shanghai (2010).
Now dividing his time between Asia and Hollywood, Chow has found time to take part in some of China’s
biggest film productions in recent years, playing a fictitious emperor on Zhang Yimou’s historical epic
Curse Of The Golden Flower (2006), and even portraying China’s most influential philosopher in
Confucius (2010).
Jiang Wen (as “Pocky” Zhang)
THE BANDIT-TURNED-GOVERNOR: The leader of the notorious Mahjong Gang, “Pocky” Zhang is an
ex-army officer who became an outlaw after his faction fell out of power in the turbulent China of the
1920s. A prodigious marksman and a bit of a Robin Hood figure, when circumstances find him
impersonating a county governor, “Pocky” Zhang becomes a reluctant hero and decides to clean up a
corrupt town.
Widely regarded as China’s greatest living actor, Jiang Wen shot to fame with his very first starring role
in Xie Jin’s Hibiscus Town (1986). He soon attracted international attention in Zhang Yimou’s directorial
debut Red Sorghum (1987), a film that earned him a Best Actor nomination in China’s prestigious
Golden Rooster Awards.
As an actor, Jiang has worked with some of the best-known directors in contemporary Chinese cinema,
including Tian Zhuangzhuang in The Great Imperial Eunuch (1991), Lu Chuan in The Missing Gun
(2002), He Ping in Warriors Of Heaven And Earth (2003), and Zhang Yuan’s Green Tea (2003).
For his contribution to cinema, Jiang was honored with the Chevalier de L’Ordre des Artes et des Lettres
in 2004 by the Ministry of Culture and Communication of France.
(SEE ALSO: CREW SECTION)
Ge You (as Tang)
THE CON MAN-TURNED-GOVERNOR-TURNED-COUNSELOR: Petty con artist Tang thinks he has
finally hit the big time when he buys an official post as county governor. Unfortunately, his hopes are
dashed when his train is robbed by “Pocky” Zhang’s Mahjong Gang. The unlucky man has no choice but
to unwillingly tag along as Zhang’s advisor until he figures out a way to escape - preferably with a profit.
Character actor Ge You is one of China’s biggest stars, much loved for his silver screen portrayals of
“everyman” characters. Best remembered by Western audiences for his role in Zhang Yimou’s To Live
(1994), for which he was named Best Actor in Cannes, Ge first came to prominence with films such as
Ballad Of The Yellow River (1989) and After Separation (1993), which earned him a Golden Rooster
Award for Best Actor.
A versatile actor equally at home with lighter fares, Ge’s brilliant comic turns in films such as Be There
Or Be Square (1998), Big Shot’s Funeral (2001), and Cell Phone (2003) not only confirmed his standing
as an audience favorite, but also marked the beginning of a long and successful collaboration with
director Feng Xiaogang, which also includes A World Without Thieves (2004), The Banquet (US title
Legend Of The Black Scorpion, 2006), and 2008’s surprise hit If You Are The One (continued in Let The
Bullets Fly, as Xiaogang makes a cameo at the beginning of the film as the counselor-cum-dead
governor).
Zhou Yun (as Flora)
THE HOOKER: A prostitute with a heart of gold who works at Master Huang’s brothel, Flora manages to
captivate not only a couple of “Pocky” Zhang’s trusty lieutenants, but also Pocky himself. However,
when events come to a head in her hometown, she is forced to choose where her loyalties lie.
A graduate of China’s prestigious Central Academy of Drama, Zhou Yun made a lasting impression in
her very first film Warriors Of Heaven And Earth (2003) alongside Jiang Wen, with whom she worked
again in The Sun Also Rises (2007). Let The Bullets Fly is their third collaboration.
Chen Kun (as Hu Wan)
THE ENFORCER: Master Huang’s second-in-command, Hu Wan not only has his master’s ear but also
shares his cold calculation and sadism - qualities that he has ample opportunity to display as Huang’s
chief instrument in oppressing the town’s citizens.
One of China’s latest generation of leading men, actor and singer Chen Kun’s recent films include
starring roles with Li Bingbing in The Knot (2006), Zhou Xun in Painted Skin (2008) and Zhao Wei in
Mulan (2009).
Yao Lu (as Hu Qian)
THE BUTLER: A slimy manservant who is most adept at flattery and anticipating Master Huang’s every
wish, Hu Qian (along with Hu Bai) is more than willing to carry out any nefarious act Huang can dream
up.
A graduate of Beijing Film Academy, Yao Lu is a film and television veteran who most recently appeared
alongside Chow Yun-Fat in Confucius (2010) and Andy Lau in Detective Dee and the Mystery of the
Phantom Flame (2010).
Jiang Wu (as Wu Zhichong)
THE MARTIAL SCHOLAR: The drill master for Huang’s private militia, the physically imposing Wu
Zhichong still proudly flaunts the title of “Imperial Martial Scholar” that was bestowed upon him by the old
Qing dynasty. A blustering bully but a coward at heart, he is ultimately loyal to no one but himself.
Actor-director Jiang Wen’s younger brother, Jiang Wu is a renowned actor in his own right with major
roles in films such as Zhang Yimou’s To Live (1994) and Zhang Yang’s Shower (1999). Let The Bullets
Fly marks the first time that the Jiang brothers have worked together on screen.
Hu Jun (as The Fake Pocky Zhang)
THE FAKE: One of the many cards up Master Huang’s sleeve, this fearsome pockmarked bandit leader
terrorizes the countryside with his men, pretending to be “Pocky” Zhang. But when he comes
face-to-face with the real McCoy, he has finally met his match!
Since coming to prominence in Stanley Kwan’s Lan Yu (2002) for which he was named Best Actor in
Hong Kong’s Golden Bauhinia Film Awards, Beijing native Hu Jun has been a constant presence in
major productions, including John Woo’s Red Cliff (2008) and Teddy Chen’s Bodyguards and Assassins
(2009).
Bai Bing (as Katama Hamufiko)
THE COURTESAN: An alluring beauty, the mysterious woman known as Katama Hafumiko is a
courtesan in Master Huang’s brothel, allegedly from Japan.
Actress-singer Bai Bing has rapidly risen through the ranks to become one of China’s most popular
television personalities, especially after the spectacular success of The Myth. Bai Bing lends her
distinctive presence to Let The Bullets Fly in a memorable cameo.
Hu Ming (as Sun Shouyi)
THE NOODLE VENDOR: Sun Shouyi is best known for his delicious mesona jelly noodle, but has long
suffered under the reign of Master Huang. Caught in the power struggle between Huang and Pocky
Zhang, he becomes a reluctant accomplice in Huang’s conspiracy and meets with an unfortunate fate.
Hu Ming is an accomplished actor known for his command of different Chinese regional dialects. In
addition to starring in acclaimed martial arts films such as Tsui Hark’s Seven Swords (2005), Hu
famously played the iconic bugler in Feng Xiaogeng’s war epic Assembly (2007).
Shao Bing (as Number Two)
THE LIEUTENANT: Pocky Zhang’s faithful second-in-command, the simple-natured but fiery-tempered
Number Two is as loyal as they come.
A versatile actor of long standing, Shao Bing’s impressive physique is a testament to his former career
as a professional sportsman. He is best known for his tough guy roles, which include those in Red River
Valley (1997) and The Myth (2005) where he appeared alongside Jackie Chan and Kim Hee-seon.
Laio Fan (as Number Three)
THE BRAVE ONE: Zhang’s brave and capable comrade, Number Three is always the first into battle.
Falling head over heels for Flora, he follows his heart with the same confidence he displays on the
battlefield.
Memorably seen in Feng Xiaogang’s war epic Assembly (2006) and Liu Fendou’s controversially explicit
Ocean Flame (2007), the ruggedly handsome Liao Fan is carving a niche for himself in Chinese cinema.
John Do (as Number Four)
THE QUIET ONE: Cool and introverted, Number Four is a man of vigorous action but few words: he
prefers to let his actions speak for him.
After establishing himself in the industry as Andy Lau’s martial arts stand-in, John Do is emerging from
the superstar’s shadow to make a name for himself as an actor in his own right.
Li Jing (as Number Five)
THE SHARPSHOOTER: Perhaps the most fiercely loyal of all of Zhang’s followers, Number Five is a
particularly deadly gunman.
Known primarily for his work in television, Li Jing is a character actor of long standing who has also
appeared in many Chinese films.
Zhang Mo (as Number Six)
THE SURROGATE SON: The youngest member of the Mahjong Gang, the relationship between
Number Six and Pocky Zhang is more like that of son and father than comrades-in-arms. His naivety,
though, may prove to be his undoing.
The son of famous Chinese actor Zhang Guoli and a popular presence on film and television, Zhang Mo
has been following in his parents’ footsteps from a very young age, and is universally considered an
emerging talent to watch.
Wei Xiao (as Number Seven)
THE STREET-SMART ONE: Quick-witted and street-smart, Number Seven is the member of the
Mahjong Gang most capable of thinking on his feet - even in the most dire of situations.
A graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, Wei Xiao is already a highly experienced film and
television producer. Thanks to Jiang Wen’s fondness for casting emerging young actors in supporting
roles, Wei makes his screen debut in Let The Bullets Fly. An accomplished screenwriter, he also
contributed to the script of the film.
Carina Lau (as The Mistress)
THE MISTRESS: The beautiful mistress who bankrolled Tang’s purchase of the governorship, this
worldly ex-courtesan continues to play the part of the governor’s wife after “Pocky” Zhang takes over the
role of her husband, with barely a second thought.
An icon in Chinese-language cinema, Hong Kong actress Carina Lau has appeared in numerous classic
films such as Hou Hsiao-hsien’s Flowers Of Shanghai (1998), the second and third installments of the
Internal Affairs trilogy (2003), as well as Wong Kar-wai’s Ashes Of Time (1994) and 2046 (2004).
Feng Xiaogang (as The Dead Counselor)
THE DEAD COUNSELOR: Tang’s unlucky counselor is merrily on his way to the inauguration of the
Goose Town county governor when he meets an unexpected turn of events courtesy of Pocky Zhang
and the Mahjong Gang. The quick thinking Tang decides to demote himself and take his place.
The most commercially successful film director working in China today, with blockbusters such as
Assembly (2007), If You Are The One (2008) and Aftershock (2010), Feng Xiaogang enjoys making the
occasional cameo appearance. Let The Bullets Fly marks the second such collaboration between Feng
and Jiang Wen - their first since 1993’s In The Heat Of The Sun.
Miao Pu (as Tang’s Wife)
THE JILTED WIFE: Tang’s real wife, whom he has abandoned back home, travels halfway across the
country with their older son in search of her wayward husband after their other child is kidnapped and
held for ransom by Tang’s creditors.
A highly-regarded actress trained in classic Qin opera, Miao is equally comfortable both on stage and
silver screen. She has appeared in numerous films, including The Beast Stalker (2008), The Founding
Of A Republic (2009), The Treasure Hunter (2009), and The Stool Pigeon (2010).
Jiang Wen (Director, Co-Writer)
In 1993, Jiang Wen was already one of China’s most celebrated actors when he wrote and directed his
first film, In The Heat Of The Sun. Based on Wang Shuo’s novel Feral Animals, this stunning debut won
the Best Actor Award for Xia Yu at both the 1994 Venice Film Festival and the 1995 Singapore
International Film Festival. It was named one of Time Magazine’s 10 best films in the world in 1995,
before going on in the following year to sweep the board with six Taiwan Golden Horse awards,
including Best Picture and Best Director.
In 1998, Jiang wrote, directed and starred in his second feature, Devils On The Doorstep. The
controversial black comedy, set in the 1940s during the final days of the Japanese occupation of China,
won the Grand Prix at the 53rd Cannes Film Festival in 2000, as well as the Netpac Award at the 2001
Hawaii International Film Festival. After a five-year hiatus, Jiang made The Sun Also Rises, his third
feature film, which competed for the Golden Lion at the 2007 Venice Film Festival.
Let The Bullets Fly is only his fourth feature film as a director since 1993.
William Chang Suk-Ping (Production Designer)
Best known for his collaboration as production designer and editor with auteur Wong Kar-Wai in films
such as Chungking Express (1994), In The Mood For Love (2000), 2046 (2004) and My Blueberry
Nights (2007). The multiple-award winner has also worked with most prominent Chinese filmmakers,
including Tsui Hark in The Butterfly Lovers (1994), Stanley Kwan in Lan Yu (2001) and Everlasting
Regret (2005), and Chen Kaige in Forever Enthralled (2008). Let The Bullets Fly is his first collaboration
with Jiang Wen.
Zhao Fei (Director of Photography)
A contemporary of Zhang Yimou and Gu Changwei, Zhao Fei is without question one of China’s finest
cinematographers. A list of his regular collaborators reads like a who’s who of modern Chinese cinema,
including such notable names as Zhang Yimou in Raise The Red Lantern (1991), Chen Kaige in The
Emperor And The Assassin (1997), Feng Xiaogang in Be There Or Be Square (1999), and He Ping in
Warriors Of Heaven And Earth (2003). Zhao has also shot Sweet And Lowdown (1999), Small Time
Crooks (2000) and Curse Of The Jade Scorpion (2001) for Woody Allen. Let The Bullets Fly reunites
Zhao with Jiang Wen after The Sun Also Rises (2007).