Untitled

Chow Yun Fat
Jiang Wen
Ge You
SYNOPSIS
China, 1920s. It is the Age of Warlords and the whole country is in total chaos.
Purportedly ruled by an impotent central government, corrupt and
over-ambitious local military commanders surge to power, running their forces
like private armies. In the countryside, innocent citizens fall victims to
marauding bandits who themselves become a force to be reckoned with and,
before long, a law unto themselves.
Out of this brutal world in the life is short and nasty, a man with a mysterious
past strides forth. Curiously nick-named “Pocky” - for he has not a mark on his
face - Zhang Muzhi is a prodigious marksman and leader of a band of outlaws
known as the Mahjong Gang.
When what sets off as a regulation train robbery draws to an unintended and
bloody conclusion, Zhang finds himself having to assume the identity of a dead
county governor and leads his men on a journey to take charge of a southern
town.
Unbeknownst to Zhang, however, the governor did not die in the raid. In a
desperate attempt to survive, the governor swapped identities with one of the
dead men and became, quite reluctantly, the counselor in the Zhang’s entourage.
More surprises are in store for Zhang and his intrepid gang of outlaws as they
arrive to find that the town is firmly in the iron grip of Master Huang, a wealthy
and ruthless local gentry, who is evidently far more than what he seems.
Immediately sensing a threat from each other, Zhang and Huang lock themselves
in a desperate and deadly struggle, in which both men must summon up every
iota of strategy and brute strength, in an effort to remain the last man standing...
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
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
multi-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.
CAST
THE TOWNFOLKS
The Godfather (CHOW Yun Fat)
A ruthless local gentry who amassed vast fortune through trafficking in opium
and selling Chinese labourers abroad, the tyrannical Master Huang runs
Goose Town like his 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 with 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 remians 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), The 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).
The Hooker (ZHOU Yun)
A prostitute with a heart of gold at Master Huang’s harem, Flora manages to
captivate not only a couple of “Pocky” Zhang’s trusty lieutenants, but also
secretly the bandit leader himself. However, when events come to a head in
her hometown, she must 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.
The Enforcer (CHEN Kun)
Master Huang’s major domo, Hu Wan not only has his master’s ear but also
shares the man’s cold calculation and sadism - qualities that he has ample
opportunity to display in being 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).
The Butler (YAO Lu)
The oleaginous manservant who is most adept at flattery and anticipating
Master Huang’s every wish, Hu Qian and his fellows Hu Wan and Hu Bai are
their master’s main henchmen in carrying out nefarious acts of every
description.
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 (2010).
The Martial Scholar (JIANG Wu)
The drill master for Huang’s private militia, the physically-imposing Wu
Zhichong still proudly flaunts the title of “Imperial Martial Scholar” that the
old Qing dynasty bestowed on him. A blustering bully but a coward in 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.
The Fake (HUN Jun)
Master Hunag’s ace-in-the-hole, this fearsome pockmarked bandit leader
terrorizes the countryside with his men by pretending to be “Pocky” Zhang.
But when he comes face-to-face with the real McCoy, he knows 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).
The Courtesan (BAI Bing)
An alluring beauty of supposedly Japanese origin, the mysterious woman
known as Katama Hafumiko is a courtesan at Master Huang’s private harem.
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.
The Noodle Vendor (HU Ming)
One of the long-suffering townsfolks under Master Huang’s rule of fear,
noodle vendor Sun Shouyi is best known for his delicious mesona jelly noodle.
Caught in the power struggle between the factions, 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. Seen in the films such as Tsui Hark’s Seven Swords (2005), Hu
famously played the iconic bugler in Feng Xiaogeng’s war epic Assembly (2007).
THE BANDITS
The Governor (JIANG Wen)
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 as China’s
warlords vied for dominance in the 1920s. A prodigious marksman and
something of a Robin Hood figure, “Pocky” Zhang becomes a reluctant hero
when circumstances force him to impersonate a county governor and clean up
a corrupt town.
Widely regarded as China’s greatest living actor, Jiang Wen shot to fame with his
very first staring 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 honoured with the Chevalier de L’Ordre
des Artes et des Lettres in 2004 by the Ministry of Culture and Communication of
France.
Number Two (SHAO Bing)
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.
Number Three (LIAO Fan)
Zhang’s brave and capable comrade, Number Three is always the first into
battle. Falling head over heels for Flora, he rushes headlong where his heart
leads him with equal conviction.
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.
Number Four (John DO)
Cool and introverted, Number Four is a man of vigorous action but few words:
he prefers to let his deeds to speak for himself.
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 rigth.
Number Five (LI Jing)
Perhaps the most fiercely loyal of all Zhang’s followers, the tactiturn Number
Five is a particularly deadly gunman.
Known primarily for his works in television, Li Jing is a character actor of long
standing who has also appeared in many Chinese films.
Number Six (ZHANG Mo)
The youngest member of the Mahjong Gang, the relationship between the lad
and “Pocky” Zhang is more like that of son and father than comrades-in-arms.
His naivety, though, ultimately leads to his demise.
The son of famous Chinese actor Zhang Guoli and a popular presence on film
and television, Zhang Mo has been following his parents’ footsteps from a very
young age, and is universally considered an emerging talent to watch.
Number Seven (WEI Xiao)
Quick-witted and street-smart, Number Seven is the one member of the
Mahjong Gang 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
blooding 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.
THE CON MEN
The Counselor (GE You)
Petty con artist Tang thinks he has finally hit big time when he bought an
official post as county governor. Unfortunately, his hopes are dashed when
way laid 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
extricate himself - 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 favourite, but also marked
the beginning of a long and successive 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.
The Mistress (Carina LAU)
The beautiful mistress who bankrolled Tang’s purchase of the official post.
The worldly ex-courtesan continues to play the part of the governor’s wife,
with a combination of fearlessness and resignation, after “Pocky” Zhang takes
over the role of her husband.
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 instalments of the Internal Affairs trilogy
(2003), as well as Wong Kar-wai’s Ashes Of Time (1994) and 2046 (2004).
The Dead Counselor (FENG Xiaogang)
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
that causes his place to be taken by his boss!
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.
The Wife (MIAO Pu)
Tang’s real wife whom he has abandoned back home. She 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).
Director – Jiang Wen
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 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.
Image Designer - William Chang Suk-Ping
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.
** Winner of Asian Film Awards 2011 (Hong Kong) for Best Costume Design
Director of Photographer - Zhao Fei
A contemporary of Zhang Yimou and Gu Changwei, Zhao Fei is without
quesiton 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 Tian Zhuangzhuang in The Horse Thief (1985) and The Imperial
Eunuch (1990), 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 Cell Phone (2003), 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).
When It Unfolds…
The 1911 revolution in China led by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen overthrew the ailing Qing
dynasty and paved the way for a republic. However, the provisional government
lacked the resources to challenge the unchecked power of numerous military
factions left over from the previous regime, who continue to rule as regional
dictators with their own private armies.
To ensure the survival of the young republic, Dr. Sun negotiated a deal with
General Yuan Shikai, supreme commander of the powerful Beiyang Army.
Under this agreement, Sun stepped aside in favour of Yuan for the presidency. In
return, Yuen used his troops to crush all opposition.
Things came to a head at the end of 1915, when Yuan declared his intention to
restore monarchy – with himself as Emperor. This provoked open rebellion
across the country, even amongst many of Yuan’s erstwhile supporters in the
Beiyang faction. When Yuan died suddenly the following year, chaos reigned,
with military commanders big and small claiming their own seats of power as
warlords…
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
The Diaolou of Kaiping
Kaiping’s distinctive visual look not only serves as a spectacular backdrop for Let
The Bullets Fly, but its unique history – from Master Huang’s export of Chinese
slave labourers, to his imposing fortified mansion – also informs 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.
An important port area on the Pearl River Delta, Kaiping was a major source for
the Chinese diaspora abroad during the era in which these ornate buildings were
built. The east-meets-west architecture shows an ingenious melding of form and
function – at once beautiful habitats as well as effective defences against
marauding bandits.
Mingshilou
Doubling for the villainous Master Huang’s mansion in Let The Bullets Fly,
Mingshilou 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 Bulles 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-storey 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.
This being the first time Chang has essayed the “look” of the early Republican
era in China, no effort or expense was spared in researching and realizing the
meticulous recreation of that period – down to every last stitch, fabric, and tiny
details.
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 cross-dressing hellcat played by Zhou Yun), to the classic Sun Yat-Sen jackets
of various male characters, and 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.
Specifications
Film Format
Aspect ratio
Audio format
Language
Running time
: 35mm feature
: 1:2.35
: Dolby Digital (SRD)
: Chinese
: 132 minutes
International official credits
EMPEROR MOTION PICTURE (INTERNATIONAL) LIMITED.
BEIJING BUYILEHU FILM AND CULTURE LIMITED.
CHINA FILM GROUP CORPORATION
PRESENT
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
HAPPY BLUE SEA FILM & TELEVISION GROUP
EMEI FILM GROUP
CHINAVISION MEDIA GROUP LIMITED
JIANG WEN FILM
“LET THE BULLETS FLY”
A
STARRING CHOW YUN
SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY
CO-STARRING
CARINA LAU
FAT GE YOU JIANG WEN
FENG XIAOGANG HU JUN MIAO PU MA KE
JIANG WU LIAO FAN ZHOU YUN CHEN KUN ZHANG MO
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
ZHAO FEI
IMAGE DESIGNER
WILLIAM CHANG SUK-PING
MUSIC BY
JOE HISAISHI (Music from (The Sun Also Rises))
SHU NAN
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
ZHOU LI DONG PING HE SHIPING
PRODUCED BY
MA KE ALBERT LEE YIN HOMBER
PRODUCERS BARBIE TUNG
ZHAO HAICHENG
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
ALBERT YEUNG
HAN SANPING
MA KE
ADAPTED FROM
SCREENPLAY BY
ZHU SUJIN
DIRECTED BY
“YE TAN SHI JI” BY MA SHITU
SHU PING
JIANG WEN
GUO JUNLI WEI XIAO LI BUKONG
JIANG WEN
© 2010 EMPEROR MOTION PICTURE (INTERNATIONAL) LTD.
BEIJING BUYILEHU FILM AND CULTURE LTD.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.