SUBMITTED BY LClem

June 29, 2003 — "I hoped there would be a new way of bringing Hong Kong movies to the American market. This way of production, honestly, is actually a way of taking order from others. It's not as delicate as our Sichuan or Cantonese food. For a manufacturing process, I don't mind to make good McDonald's (food) and sell it to the Americans. But from our standpoint, I believe through our Cantonese way, Hong Kong movie or Chinese mainland movies could be made much better. Someday we can show our movies with the original features to the American market," director Gordon Chan told Nanfang Daily. Costing US$35 million, THE MEDALLION is the most expensive Hong Kong production. About one week after the first day of shooting in July 2001, Columbia started negotiating with EMG, the movie's producer. Later Columbia acquired the sole world-wide distribution rights, except in Asia and France, with US$50 million approximately. "After we delivered the film to Columbia, some professional said it looked like a US$80 million production," said Gordon Chan, "it's very simple - our enthusiasm exceeds our cost." He recalled the production in Thailand, "Jackie Chan didn't stay at any luxury hotel and there was no trailers for the stars. We saved the money for the production. By this way we can have more room for it. Jackie Chan said if this were an American production, there wouldn't be so many shots. An American production would only last a few days, and we spent dozens days (in Thailand)." Jackie Chan's mother passed away when he was in Thailand. He did not leave for her funeral until the last shot was done. Of cause, the cost for the CG effect cannot be cut. "The specially effect was very difficult to make. Over 500 shots. For a big budget like THE MATRIX, a very complicated CG work can be done in no time. But with our budget, we can only use time to make it up," said Gordon Chan. There is still something from the American production does not satisfy Jackie Chan. "He thought they learned the performance but not the spirit," said Gordon Chan, "Even for some very good action sequences, like those from (action director) Yuen Wo-Ping. He believe if Yuen Wo-Ping could be given more freedom, not to be restricted by the American rules, Yuen Wo-Ping could do better." Gordon Chan gave Jackie Chan and action director Sammo Hung full freedom on the set. "For actions, I listened to Sammo Hung. He's really incredible. He could really do things in his own way and it was a very pleasant experience. Movies made in this way have more potential to succeed commercially." The movie was, since the beginning, tailored for the American market. Ever since the stage of script writing, they have been consulting the Americans and successful Chinese filmmakers, like producer Bill King from CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and HERO. Gordon Chan said, "in the early stages, (we) had very long discussions with Columbia. We wanted it to be more Asian, and they wanted it to be more American flavored." The result is concession from both side. Some dialogues and scenes were altered and later the movie was shrunken. Columbia said the result of a test screening was very positive and the release day has been pushed forward from September/October to August. Starting August 22, THE MEDALLION will be shown in Asia and at over 2000 theaters across North America.