Historical epic movies have bombarded Chinese cinema today, as well as many action-period blockbusters which tried to please everyone. In addition to numerous released and upcoming titles is a film that will portray one chapter from the history of Dr. Sun Yat-sen who is popularly referred to as the Father of Modern China. Sun played a critical role in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the subsequent establishment of a short-lived republic. He is one of few political figures in 20th-century China who is admired by otherwise opposed politicians on the mainland and in Taiwan. However, the story of this star-studded film entitled “Bodyguards and Assassins” is not precisely based on Dr. Sun’s biography, but it’s a fictional account of an assassination attempt on revered Chinese revolutionary and the efforts of kung fu masters who protected him before the Chinese Revolution overthrew the Qing Dynasty in 1911. The film boasts a cast of Chinese and Hong Kong cinema superstars who led by one of the busiest Kung Fu stars in Chinese cinema today, Donnie Yen. He will portray “Gambler,” a character that is shaping up to be somewhat antiheroic in that he is described as not being patriotic or righteous and is uncertain of his place in the revolution. Other leading cast members include Leon Lai as “Beggar,” Wang Xueqi as “Scion,” Nicholas Tse as “Rickshaw Puller,” Tony Leung Kar-fai as “Revolutionary,” Hu Jun as “Assassin,” Eric Tsang as “Police Commissioner,” Simon Yam as “General in Exile,” Fan Bing-bing as “Mistress,” Wang Po-chieh, and Zhou Yun. The film that previously known as “Dark October” has been in development for a decade, it’s directed by Teddy Chan who formerly made Jackie Chan’s “The Accidental Spy”. “I really wanted to make this (film) 10 years ago but the market then just could not support such an expensive and costly film,” Teddy explained. Teddy actually hasn’t done anything of consequence since that substandard Jackie Chan actioner and it’s still ambiguous if he’s up to the task of heading a project of this magnitude, even with 10 years of preparation. On the other hand, “Bodyguards and Assassins” producer Peter Chan does have a good track record with such films as “The Eye”, “Three… Extremes”, “Protégé”, and “The Warlords”. Perhaps with the presence of Peter Chan, and the virtually everyone who matters in current Hong Kong film in the cast, this film should at least do well commercially.

1905, City of Victoria (British Colony of Hong Kong). Before Dr. Sun Yat-Sen can become the Father of Modern China by instigating the revolution of 1911 that overturns the Qing Dynasty, his life is almost cut short when he arrives at Hong Kong for a secret meeting to establish a united anti-Qing revolutionary front.
In the distance of thirteen blocks, the one man Dr. Sun Yat-Sen who holds a nation’s fate must survive relentless attempts on his life with only five bodyguards, a group of ordinary men and women who actually possess extraordinary fighting skills. Against hundreds of assassins, these men must put their courage to the test in order to protect the hope of millions even if it means fighting to the death…

Facts behind the impressive scale of production:

# The role of Sun Yat-sen was originally offered to Chow Yun-fat who opted instead to play Chinese philosopher “Confucius” in an upcoming biopic.

# The film features a truly awesome set which recreates a bustling Hong Kong in the early 20th century. It was the biggest set of its kind ever constructed for a Chinese film.

# According to producer Peter Chan, the actioner is an attempt to make a “new mainstream commercial film” to attract audiences from around the world with a universal storyline, quality acting and inspiring scenes.

# Nicholas Tse had actually auditioned for this film several years ago before the production was held up.

# 150-million yuan of budget have gone into the undertaking, including nearly 50-million yuan and eight months time to construct of a replica of Hong Kong's urban core in 1906.

# The majestic set which is the first one-to-one scale reproduction of old Hong Kong, build in the Song Jiang Province, a western suburb of Shanghai, and is about the size of 10 football fields. Painstakingly focused on keeping historical accuracy and attention-to-detail, the streets and arcades vary from traditional Chinese shophouses to colonial-style buildings to gothic architecture enhanced by props meticulously true to the time, like rickshaws, alcohol bottles and signboards.

# About 500 homes, 200 shops and 4,000 signboards were created for the film.

# Hollywood actress Andie Macdowell and Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle, who were in town for the Shanghai Film Festival, were duly impressed as they toured the set.

# The film features performances by many of the top actors in Hong Kong. Among them are nine previous winners for Best Actor and one for Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

# In their promotional slogan, the producers are promising sixty minutes of non-stop fighting.

Budget: $23 million

Theatrical release dates:
Dec 18, 09: China, Hong Kong, Singapore
Dec 24: Malaysia, Taiwan

Sources: KungfuCinema, Today Online, WuJing.org – Photos courtesy of Cinema Popular