Hey folks, Harry here with the latest from Ye Meng... our eyes and ears in China... The latest he has for us on PURPLE SUN is very intriguing. As for the Korean War films... Well, in the realm of Hollywood... other than a handful... of war films from the period... the Korean War has largely been ignored in the modern film arena, although there are some awesomely powerful stories to be told. Alas... will anyone have the balls to do it as well as Sam Fuller? I do not know...
Hi Harry!
Ye is here.
I managed to get more info on Purple Sun and two Korean War projects:
Purple Sun is a fictional WWII story: after the American dropped the atomic bombs, the Soviet troop started to attack the Japanese in the Northeast China (the so-called Manchuria). Inside the war zone, a Chinese man, a Russian female medic, and a Japanese girl run into each other. Together, they have to find a way out.
“The entire human history is a history of war. Peace is the most valuable thing for us,” said the director Feng Xiaoning, “in this film, war is only a background. This is not a war movie, but a psychological drama. And, I try to search for the power of humanity.” Purple Sun will be the last war movie for Feng and will be the most beautiful and the biggest among his works. About the title, there is a line in the movie – sun is the symbol of life for mankind, once overshadowed by the Fascism, it will change color and disasters will befall us.”
During the first scene was shot, a Japanese put an innocent civilian into a gunnysack and set him on fire (based on actual effect recorded by a former Japanese solider). The man inside the sack is not a stunt double but Feng himself. He was burned for more than 20 seconds wearing a protecting suit and a wet towel. Stunned all reporters, Feng said, “I am a quite well known director. To denounce the Japanese war crime, it will be more convincing by using myself as the stunt double. Also, some Japanese said gunnysack is too small for a man. We made the sack according to the Japanese military standard and I am 1.80 meters; if the sack is big enough for me, it will be big enough for a normal person.”
Some scenes, involving Soviet tanks, were shot several days ago. A wall was built on a piece of grassland outside Beijing. It was painted with fake blood and many “bodies” were on the ground. After Japan surrendered, the retreating Japanese troop tried to kill all prisoners in a concentration camp. Only Fu Dalong, the Chinese man survived the first round of gunshot. Before the Japanese were ready to fire another round, a T-34 run through the wall and saved Fu Dalong’s life.
Shooting of tank battle scenes between the Soviet and the Japanese were finished and the scenes with American aircraft carrier are still yet to be done.
Purple Sun is the last of Feng Xiaoning’s War and Peace Octology. The other five are War Meridian (WWII story: a ground of kids tried to save several wounded soldiers from falling into the Japanese hands by carrying them through the Great Wall), Northern Naval Fleet (TV series: history of the Chinese Northern Naval Fleet and its doomed battle with the Japanese Naval Fleet in the late 19th century), Great Air Battles (TV series: WWII air battles over China), Red Valley (Hong He Gu. a love triangle with a Han Chinese girl, a Tibetan and a Scottish explorer), and Lover's Grief Over The Yellow River (Huang He Jue Lian. WWII story: love between a Chinese girl and a down American pilot). His next project will be Faith, the first among his Life and Death Trilogy. Another project, Love and Hate Trilogy is also planned.
In other news, China’s CCTV is making a TV series, Korean War, with 30 episodes. Shooting at Zhongnanhai, the location of Chinese Government, was already done and some scenes are shot in the US right now. Also, a Korean War movie, 38 North Latitude, is under pre-production. Many CG shots and other hi-tech special effects will be used. (From Tianjin Daily, Shopping Guide, Beijing Daily, and Yangtze Evening News)
Ye Meng
