Trio form HK-China joint venture

Shanghai Film Media Asia to focus on production

By CLIFFORD COONAN

SHANGHAI -- In the latest Hong Kong-mainland China collaboration, Shanghai Film Group, Hong Kong's Media Asia and Beijing's Guoli Changsheng have established a joint venture, Shanghai Film Media Asia, to focus on film and TV production in the booming Chinese market.

Hong Kong companies are increasingly looking across the border to the mainland biz for growth, and the deal brings together some of the biggest players in Chinese-language cinema.

The investment and production company will be chaired by Shanghai Film Group chief Ren Zhonglun, while Media Asia head Peter Lam will be vice president. CEO will be multi-hyphenate Zhang Guoli, whose Guoli Changsheng backed helmer Ning Hao's ("Crazy Stone") forthcoming "Wu ren qu."

Initial projects by Shanghai Film Media Asia include a co-production with Enlight Media, "Ye Xing Xia Chen Zhen," helmed by Andrew Lau, produced by Gordon Chan and starring Donnie Yen, and arthouse helmer Jia Zhangke's first period movie "In the Qing Dynasty."

The group is also planning two 30-episode TV dramas.

Media Asia is one of the biggest producers in Hong Kong, responsible for pics like "A World Without Thieves" and the "Infernal Affairs trilogy"; Shanghai Media is a powerful player in mainland China.