Wisit Sasanatieng's Armful Just Got An Awful Lot Closer To Being Made ...

Hong Kong, 2 September 2006 – Singapore-based One Ton Cinema and Hong Kong-based Focus Films Limited have signed a deal memo to co-produce Thai New Wave director, Wisit Sasanatieng’s up-coming film, ARMFUL. With proposed casts members from Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Thailand, and set in 1970’s South East Asia, ARMFUL will be a truly unique Pan-asian co-production.

Focus Films, helmed by award-winning actor and filmmaker Andy Lau and fresh from their recent success with their debut project, FOCUS: First Cuts, is joining One Ton Cinema on their debut project developed less than a year ago, and will be spearheading the investment and appointment of a sales agent for the film, with an estimated budget of USD8Million. The co-production will realise a Chinese-language, action-packed and stylized tragicomedy with influences ranging from Chinese martial arts films of the 60s and 70s and the gritty realism of contemporary revenge tales.

Wisit’s directorial debut in 2000 was the genre-blending Tears of the Black Tiger - the first Thai film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival in Un Certain Regard. His second film was Citizen Dog (2004), a contemporary romantic comedy set in Bangkok premiering at the Locarno International Film Festival. The two films were picked up for distribution by Miramax and Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp respectively.

Daniel Yu, producer and Chief Operating Officer of Focus Films, said, “We are excited to be working with One Ton Cinema and Wisit on such a ground-breaking project, showcasing the region’s promising talents to audiences across Asia and beyond. This project is a testament to our commitment to continue delivering compelling and innovative films to audiences while working with new partners and cutting edge filmmakers.”

“Focus Films is one of the most forward and exciting companies in Asian film today. It is our honour to have their partnership and collaboration on our debut project.” Kevin WY Lee, producer and Creative Director of One Ton Cinema commented. “We look forward to making a great film with them and Wisit.”

For more information and updates on the film, please visit Armfulmovie.com