Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Global Human Epic to be Filmed

mega scale global film project is expected to rewrite the history of Korean cinema.

Domestic film agency Vision Link Global (Pres. Lee In-hyeong) said Tuesday that South Korea, China, the U.S. and France will invest 50 billion won to produce a movie temporarily titled "Melanie's Violin" for simulataneous global release around October next year.

The movie is about a renowned Jewish violinist who flees to Shanghai to escape the fascist massacres at home. There, the musician, with a Chinsese pupil, brings people faith, hope and freedom through his music.

Vision Link, who will plan and produce the film, recently signed a joint production deal with a Chinese corporation.

The vice president of France's Studio Canal also signed the contract in Seoul late last year, while final negotiations will soon take place with U.S. counterparts.

Melanie's Violin is a human epic based on a Chinese novel with the same title, and has been dubbed "an Asian version of 'Schindler's List.'"

Vision Link says that while Korean movies have focused on projects with Asian partners, the partipication of the U.S. and France makes the upcoming film a global project.

The yet undecided director and cast may likely be top Hollywood names. The filming crew will also comprise staff members who worked on films like "Schindler's List" and "The Pianist."

Korean American musican Ji Park will take on the task of developing the movie's soundtrack. His earlier works include Kim Ki-deok's films "Samaria" and "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring."

A Vision Link official says the project, currently in a free production stage, will cost a record 50 billion won. For secure financing, the total production cost will be raised prior to filming by introducing the Hollywood system in which the film's copyright is sold in advance worldwide.

source:kbs grobal

No comments: