The 29th annual Hawaii International Film Festival, the premier international film event in the Pacific, is honored to present and spotlight American actress and mega-star Maggie Q with its “Maverick Award.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
HONOLULU, HI (October 15, 2009) – The 29th annual Hawaii International Film Festival, the premier international film event in the Pacific, is honored to present and spotlight American actress and mega-star Maggie Q with its “Maverick Award.” She will receive the award before the closing night presentation of her film, the Chinese fantasy epic THE WARRIOR AND THE WOLF, directed by Tian Zhuangzhuang, which is having its U.S. premiere on Saturday, October 24th at 7:00 p.m.
“Audiences are sure to be seduced by Maggie Q’s performance in THE WARRIOR AND THE WOLF,” says executive director Chuck Boller. “Hawaii is always ready to recognize its hometown celebrities and HIFF is proud to honor the talented superstar as she returns to the islands to present this film to our festival audiences.” The Maverick Award is given in honor of a cinema artist who defies the rules, forging a unique film career, transcending labels and thresholds to vacillate between Hollywood and global cinema.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Maggie Q moved to Hong Kong after high school, to pursue a career in modeling. She quickly rose to the status of a top model in many parts of Asia, then segued to feature films.
Actress, humanitarian and international spokesperson, Maggie continues to display her range through projects that have immense international appeal. Working opposite some of the world’s most established actors including Hugh Jackman (DECEPTION, 2008), Andy Lau (THREE KINGDOMS: RESURRECTION OF THE DRAGON, 2008) Bruce Willis (LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, 2007), Tom Cruise (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III, 2006), and Jackie Chan (RUSH HOUR 2), Maggie has continuously captivated audiences worldwide by showing her versatility in action and martial arts, as well as graceful and seductive roles.
She can next be seen in NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU, action films KING OF FIGHTERS and ROGUE’S GALLERY (written and directed by local boy Brian Watanabe) and the horror western PRIEST.
The Hawaii International Film Festival will be hosting an exclusive press conference with Maggie at the world-renowned Halekulani on Saturday, October 24th at 2:15 p.m. to discuss the film and festival award recognition. Following the press conference, held in the Garden Terrace of the Halekulani, Maggie will be available for one-on-one interviews, by appointment only. Media are invited to contact Chimaine Pouteau at chimaine hawaiipacifcentertainment.com or call (808) 237-3678 to schedule a private one-on-one interview (limited space available). Halekulani contact is Erika Kauffman, Director of Public Relations for Hotels & Resorts of Halekulani, available at (808) 535-0623 or erika.kauffmanhalekulanicorp.com.
After the film’s screening on October 24th, HIFF is hosting a party to celebrate Maggie Q’s performance in THE WARRIOR AND THE WOLF and the closing of the festival at Oceans 808 from 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The public is invited to mingle with the filmmakers. A select number of general admission tickets are available to the public for purchase for $10.00 at the door. For more information please call Umma Kayvalyam at (808) 237-3675.
Over 170 films from 36 different countries will be featured at this year’s festival. HIFF’s 2009 program is being held at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters from October 15–25. Tickets are on sale now. General admission tickets are available for $10 or $9 for students, seniors, children and military. Tickets may be purchased in person at HIFF’s box office at 650 Iwilei Road #101 across from Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters or by phone at (808) 548-5905. The film guide is available now online at www.hiff.org. For more information please visit us at www.hiff.org.
FILM SYNOPSIS
WARRIOR AND THE WOLF
Fifth Generation director Tian Zhuangzhuang’s THE WARRIOR AND THE WOLF is a circular narrative that explores the debasement of humanity through war and destruction, but on a painterly, elegant and serene canvas. Based on a short story by Japanese writer Yasushi Inoue, the film takes place in an era of war during the Qin Dynasty period – before the unification of China. Thousands of soldiers are sent to remote regions at the edges of the known world, beaten down by a barrage of battles and adversaries. Many of these soldiers lose touch with civility and basic humanity. But valiant Lu Chenkang (Joe Odagiri) is different. He retains his heroism and is pure of heart and mind. Determined to stay the course and retain his humanity, Lu tends to a pet wolf cub.
When his commander and friend, General Zhang Anliang (Tou Chung-hua), is badly injured just before the beginning of winter, Lu takes over command of the troops. Forced to find shelter in the village of the mysterious Harran tribe, he discovers a beautiful, yet reclusive young woman (Maggie Q). An outcast and a widow, she fights Lu in every way she can before surrendering to his passionate embrace, having fallen for him against her better judgment. She seems to possess the almost magical ability to take his mind to a place where memories collide with dreams and legends – a place where humans were once wolves.
Director Tian’s latest is a departure from his usual fare; less free spirited than his earlier work, such as THE BLUE KITE, and more disciplined. Joe Odagiri and Maggie Q – two of the biggest Pan-Asian stars working today – deliver daring performances that delve into some dark territory. It also doesn’t hurt that their presence provides sex appeal too.
THE WARRIOR AND THE WOLF, in the end, is a visually stunning and epic tale of wild humanity; pensive and quiet scenes are in stark contrast to bloody action sequences of macabre beauty that the Chinese have definitely mastered in cinematic portrayal. The filmgoer will be transported to a world where memory, temporal time and fantasy collide.
CLOSING FILM
U.S. Premiere
China 2009 | Mandarin w/ English subtitles | 100m
Director: Tian Zhuang Zhuang
Producer: Bill Kong, Hao Li, Satoru Ogura, Han Sanping
Cinematographer: Wang Yu
Script: Tian Zhuang Zhuang, Yasushi Inoue
Cast: Joe Odagiri, Maggie Q, Tou Chung-hua
24-Oct 7:00 PM Regal Dole Cannery Cinemas
About Halekulani
Since its inception in 1984, Halekulani has received more than five hundred accolades, awards and honoraria, and is consistently ranked among the world’s finest hotels. SpaHalekulani, amongst many others, earned the coveted Mobil Four-Star rating, the highest bestowed upon any spa by the Mobil Travel Guide, and was ranked the #2 Best Resort Spa in North America by Conde Nast Traveler. Halekulani’s fine dining restaurant, La Mer, is Hawaii’s longest ranked AAA-Five Diamond restaurant. Halekulani is managed by the Hotels and Resorts of Halekulani, a brand management division of the Honolulu-based Halekulani Corporation, which also manages newly redesigned Waikiki Parc Hotel. Halekulani is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and is aligned with Tokyo’s legendary Imperial Hotel. For reservations and information, please contact a travel planner, call Halekulani at (800) 367-2343 / (808) 923-2311 or visit the Halekulani website www.halekulani.com.
Festival Information
Established in 1981, the Hawaii International Film Festival is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. HIFF is the premier international film event in the Pacific and has won the praise of governments, filmmakers, scholars, educators, programmers and film industry leaders throughout the world. For the discovery and exhibition of Asian and Pacific features, documentaries and short films in the nation, it is a primary source. The festival has premiered such movies as ONCE WERE WARRIORS, THE PIANO, SHINE, SHALL WE DANCE, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Plus, DEPARTURES, a Japanese film, had its U.S. premiere at HIFF in 2008, won the HIFF Audience Award and then went on to win the 2009 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
HIFF’s major sponsors include: Regal Entertainment Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, Halekulani, Hawaii Tourism Authority and The VILCEK Foundation.
The 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival will be held October 15-25.
For more information please visit our website at www.hiff.org.
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