July 6, 2007–The Venice Film Festival has selected Chinese actioner “Blood Brothers” by first-timer Alexi Tan as the closer for its upcoming 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 innocent youths, each of whom takes a different path faced with criminal temptations in the complex, corrupt society of 1930s Shanghai, will preem internationally out-of-competition at the Lido Sept. 8, after bowing in Asia in mid-August.
“Blood Brother” stars Asian actors Liu Ye (“Curse of the Golden Flower”), Daniel Wu (“Everlasting Regret”) and Chang Chen (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”), who will attend.
Venice Fest head Marco Muller said in a statement that this year's fest will mix promising young directors with established ones.
The opening night is an adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel “Atonement,” the sophomore feature from 35-year-old British helmer Joe Wright (“Pride and Prejudice”).
Lido fest will run Aug. 29-Sept. 8. The complete lineup will be announced July 26.
