World premiere of Kung Fu Jungle added to the BFI London Film Festival

Kung Fu Jungle (2014)

The 58th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® is pleased to announce that the world premiere of Kung Fu Jungle (Yi Ge Ren de Wu Lin) will be presented as a new addition to the official Thrill selection at this year’s Festival. Screening on Sunday 12 October 6.30pm at the Empire Leicester Square Cinema, the premiere will be attended by director Teddy Chen, iconic action super star Donnie Yen and actress Michelle Bai.

Hahou (Donnie Yen) is a former martial arts instructor, imprisoned after accidentally slaying an opponent. When vicious killer Fung (Wang Baoqiang) starts targeting the reigning kung fu masters, Hahou offers to help the police catch him in return for his freedom. Despite her misgivings, the police inspector (Charlie Young) arranges his release, but when Hahou disappears she suspects him of conspiring with the killer. The shrewd Hahou has deduced the killer’s objective and realises that he will himself become Fung’s target, putting all those around him at risk. He refuses to be drawn into a fight with Fung, however when the killer threatens the woman he loves (Michelle Bai), Hahou ultimately realises that he will have to go against the martial code in order to uphold it.

Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival Director, comments:

We are excited to be adding the eagerly anticipated Kung Fu Jungle to our line-up and honoured that Emperor Motion Pictures choose BFI London Film Festival as its world premiere destination. Donnie Yen is a truly exhilarating martial arts star and action director and Kung Fu Jungle is a breathtaking thrill-ride, featuring stellar performances from the entire cast.

Director Teddy Chen’s comments:

I am excited and thrilled to present Kung Fu Jungle at the BFI London Film Festival with its world premiere to be screened at the prestigious Empire Leicester Square Cinema. As the Empire is equipped with one of the biggest screens in the UK, it will surely be the perfect setting for the screening of my film. It is my first film to cross martial arts combat in a contemporary Hong Kong action film with elements of a thriller and crime detective story. I wish to thank the LFF for choosing the film.

The world premiere of Kung Fu Jungle will be the second of two premieres that LFF will present at the legendary Empire Leicester Square since its recent refurbishment. The first will be the world premiere of Monsters: Dark Continent, directed by Tom Green, the hotly anticipated sequel to Monsters (2010) which screens on Thursday 9 October also in the Thrill selection.

Kung Fu Jungle is from the award winning Hong Kong director Teddy Chen (Bodyguards and Assassins, The Accidental Spy) and stars Donnie Yen (Ip Man, Ip Man 2), Wang Baoqiang (Lost in Thailand, Assembly, Blind Shaft), Charlie Young (Bangkok Dangerous, Seven Swords, Fallen Angels) and Michelle Bai (The Viral Factor), Donnie Yen also directed three action scenes in the film including the beginning and end scenes – credited as Action Director alongside with Martial Arts director Yuen Bun (Flying Swords of Dragon Gate) and Yan Hua. Donnie Yen is in the midst of shooting Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II in Auckland. Kung Fu Jungle also features special appearances from Alex Fong, Louis Fan, Shi Yanneng, John Chiang and Yu Kang.

Kung Fu Jungle is a Teddy Chen film, presented by Emperor Film Production Company Limited, Sun Entertainment Culture Limited and Beijing Silver Moon Productions. Produced by Albert Lee with executive producers Albert Yeung, Alvin Chau and Yan Xiaoming and producers Catherine Hun, Alex Dong and Song Ning; the line producer is Ray Chan and associate producers are Paul Au and Gin Lau; the line producer is Ray Chan, associate producers Paul Au and Gin Lau with producers Catherine Hun, Alex Dong  and Song Ning. The original story is by Teddy Chen and Lau Ho-leung, with a script written by Lau Ho-leung and Mak Tin-shu with script consultant David Chan.  Behind-the-camera talent includes Donnie Yen as action director, martial arts directors Yuen Bun and Yan Hua, director of photography Horace Wong (HKSC), editors Cheung Ka-fai (HKSE) and Derek Hui; production design by Ken Mak, art direction by Lam Wai-kin, costume design by Dora Ng, visual effects by Enoch Chan with original music by Peter Kam Pui Tat. International sales by Emperor Motion Pictures, Hong Kong

The 58th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express runs from Wednesday 8 October to Sunday 19 October. Public booking opens 10.00am, 18 September 2014.