Special effects work for the new Chinese/Australian co-production LEGEND OF SUN AND MOON (日月传奇) will take place in NSW, confirmed Minister for the Art Don Harwin on Friday. The production will spend almost $40 million on post production with NSW companies, including Definition Films, Slate VFX and Big Bang Sound, creating an estimated 250 jobs.
The film, written and directed by Eva Jin (Crazy New Year’s Eve) is an adaptation of the classic tale of Chang-E, Goddess of the Moon and Hou Yi, the heroic archer who shot down nine of 10 suns that were scorching the Earth. It combines the star talent of Dilraba Dilmurat and Shawn Dou.
Principal photography has already wrapped up in China, and filming has commenced at Village Roadshow Studios, Gold Coast, and is supported by the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland. The post-production will be based at Sydney’s Fox Studios, with collaborators including Producer Todd Fellman, producers Beaver Kwei and Eileen Gong, and of course Eva Jin.
The film has been secured for NSW by the NSW Government through its Made In NSW – International Footloose Fund, investing up to $10m in yearly funding to bring the very best in film and television to our shores.
“LEGEND OF SUN AND MOON is the largest Chinese/Australian co-production to ever have been made and a big coup for the NSW screen industry that 100% of its specialised post work will be completed in the State,” Mr Harwin said.
Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the co-production agreement between China and Australia, one that began with The Children of the Silk Road in 2006/2007. More recently Guardians of the Tomb was release to Australian cinemas, although it failed to set critics or the box office ablaze.
The film will be distributed in China by Tencent with Chinalion handling the Australian theatrical release in 2019.
Danny CHEN (DOP), Shawn DOU (Lead Cast), Eva JIN (Director), Todd Fellman (Producer), Eileen GONG (Producer)
