DISNEY+ ASIA SLATE TAKES SHAPE
Disney+ has set an Aug. 9 upload date for Korean series “Moving” from webtoon pioneer Kang Full.
The previously announced title forms part of a 20-component slate of films and series from East Asia that will release on the Disney-backed streaming platform in the second half of 2023 and through 2024.
Also from Korea is “The Worst of Evil,” a detective series in which a rural policemen is brought to the big city to bring down a DJ dealing in a potent new drug. It stars Ji Changwook, “Squid Game” actor Wi Hajun and Lim Semi.
Highlights from Japan include “Tokyo Revengers: Tenjiku Arc,” the latest instalments of a popular anime franchise, and the previously announced “Dragons of Wonderhatch,” a hybrid story set in both the “real world” and an anime land where dragons and humans coexist. The multi-dimensional story stars Nakajima Sena, Okudaira Daiken and Mackenyu.
The year 2023 is set to be rounded off with music docu-series “NCT 127: The Lost Boys,” Japanese anime “Synduality Noir” and an all-new ice show performance by Japanese ice-skater Yuzuru Hanyu. In 2024 new releases will include Korean-produced “A Shop For Killers” and “Red Swan,” and Japan’s “House of the Owl” and “Murai In Love.”
TINDER TRAP
Indian streaming platform JioCinema and dating app Tinder are to partner to bring the series, “Swipe Ride” exclusively to the platform. Produced by Viacom18 Digital Ventures, the series celebrates uninhibited, meaningful conversations about what Indian women really want from their dating lives. Streaming for free, the first episode of ‘Swipe Ride’ that features Uorfi Javed, went live on July 7.
Popular social media content creator and actor, Kusha Kapila takes the driver’s seat to pick up Tinder members to meet their dates. Joining the two ladies for the journey will be a surprise celebrity guest. The trio chat about the nuances of dating, romance, what they want in a relationship, and how meaningful connections can take different forms on Tinder.
ARCHERY
Ryu Seung-ryong and Jin Sun-kyu, who both previously appeared in mega hit “Extreme Job” will reunite for the comedy film “Archers of Amazon.” Ryu portrays an archery coach who scouts Indigenous tribes in the Amazon for archers who could compete in the world championships. Jin plays a translator. Brazilian actors Igor Pedroso (“Invisible City”), Luan Brun (Disney series “Once”) and J.B. Oliveira also star. The film is being directed by Kim Chang-ju, (“Hard Hit”) from a script by Bae Se-young (“Intimate Strangers” and JTBC series “The Good Bad Mother”). Filming began on July 5.
TAIPEI AWARDS
“Diamond Marine World,” a documentary about a Taiwanese man struggling to survive in Myanmar, was awarded both the Grand Prize and the best documentary awards at the 2023 Taipei Film Awards on Saturday. The film is directed by Huang Hsiu-yi and captures the journey of a Taiwanese shrimp farmer starts a business in Myanmar, but soon becomes accused for criminal activity.
The award for best narrative feature went to Laha Mebow’s “Gaga,” which has already collected multiple accolades on the international festival circuit.
Lin Chun-yang’s movie, “Eye of the Storm,” which was the numerical winner. The film about medical workers a the centre of the response to 2003’s SARS epidemic earned prizes for best director, best actor, best art design, visual effects and outstanding artistic contribution.
MOE NORMAN, NOT GREG NORMAN
Australian director Bruce Beresford (“Driving Miss Daisy,” Mao’s Last Dancer”) has been signed by producer David Carver Films to direct “The Place I Belong,” the story of Moe Norman. The film is a human-interest journey set against an uplifting sports story and follows the rise of the socially misfit savant and self-taught amateur golfer, Moe Norman, from caddie and bowling alley pinsetter to playing The Masters and on the professional golf tour. Sadly, Norman’s eccentric and misunderstood behavior led to his being bullied out of the sport he loved. He became an unknown legend, playing and winning smaller tournaments and setting course records but living hand to mouth, sometimes sleeping in his car or in sand traps at the courses he played.
Beresford joins executive producers David Steinberg and Robyn Todd and coproducers Wayne and Janet Gretzky on the biopic. The production begins filming spring of 2024. The screenplay is written by Carver, Mark Bergen, Josh Schorr and Todd Korgan, based on previous versions by Joshua Michael Stern, David Lee Miller and Eric Adams.
“As a non-golfer, when I received the script, I thought I would read a few pages then politely pass. My prejudice disintegrated a few pages in. The central character is delightfully eccentric. The story of Moe’s amazing life and career and of those around him, is told with humor, compassion, sophistication and depth,” said Beresford.
AFTER BURNER
The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and Netflix have announced the first three recipients to be supported by the Netflix Indigenous Scholarship Fund. The fund provides A$515,000 ($342,000) from Netflix for a range of initiatives to elevate Indigenous creatives and voices in the Australian screen and broadcast industries, and support Australia’s First Nations communities and storytellers. The first three AFTRS Netflix First Nations Scholarships were awarded on the basis of creative excellence to: Nazareth Manar Alfred (Master of Arts Screen: Directing); Dylan Marcus Nicholls (Master of Arts Screen: Documentary); and Samantha Alexis Laughton ( Master of Arts Screen: Business ). The scholarships will assist with the full cost of course fees, plus a contribution towards travel, accommodation and living expenses. The scholarships’ selection panel was chaired by AFTRS Council member Tanya Hosch and included representatives from AFTRS, Netflix, Screen West and Create Victoria.