It's a jungle out there, but for the 58th BFI London Film Festival the World Premiere of KUNG FU JUNGLE (Yi Ge Ren de Wu Lin) should be a rumble worth waiting for. The festival will be screening the film as an addition to their official 'THRILL' selection on Sunday 12 October 6.30pm at the Empire Leicester Square Cinema. If that wasn't enough for fans of eastern cinema then the icing on the cake is that the premiere will be attended by director Teddy Chen, its iconic star Donnie Yen and actress Michelle Bai.
For those who haven't been following the development of the film it is the story of Hahou (Donnie Yen) 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.
“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," Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival Director noted. "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.”
“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," Teddy Chen added.
The film is the second world premiere announced for the Empire venue during the festival. They will also show MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT, directed by Tom Green, the hotly anticipated sequel to Monsters (2010) which will screen on Thursday 9 October also in the THRILL selection.
Booking is now open for the BFI's festival schedule and you can get more details at: www.bfi.org.uk/lff
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