Chasing Dream (2019) - Johnnie To

[DiP]

This drama movie, which has been in production for more than 2 years, sees Johnnie To tackle martial arts (this time MMA) in a contemporary setting once again while throwing in romance/social themes in the mix. Jacky Heung (Fearless, True Legend) and Keru Wang will play the leads, and estimated release date is set this Fall.

http://movie.mtime.com/235082/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10322726/reference

[DiP]

Release date is November 8.

 

[whitesnake]

Chasing Dream will be shown at the FEFF (Far East Film Festival) in Italy, but this year it's online-only, June 26 - July 4, 2020.  Virtual passes are available in three versions, Silver Ninja "for the curious", Golden Samurai "for the fans", and Platinum Shogun "for the hardcore Fareasters".  Story at https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/far-east-film-festival-2020-lineup-1297261   More on the virtual passes at https://www.fareastfilm.com/eng/news/campagna-accrediti-feff22/?IDLYT=13308  

Sino-cinema.com review of Chasing Dream here - https://sino-cinema.com/2019/12/24/review-chasing-dream-2019/  "MMA sequences are grittily staged, shot and cut, with Du [Johnnie To] himself taking a credit for action direction." 

A mixed bag of reviews here - https://letterboxd.com/film/chasing-dream/  - ranging from 1/2* to 4.5*

[DiP]

Looks like To's directing reign in Hong Kong Cinema is gone already (unless he goes back to the basics), but I will still look out for this when it hits on bluray. Last great directed movie imo was Drug War (2012), and Trivisa the last great overall Milkyway Image production. At this point, I think Election 3 could redeem his career from the stuff he churns out now.