More details on The Grandmaster

Filmmaker Wong Kar Wai’s The Grandmaster hits theaters tomorrow in New York and Los Angeles, with a wider expansion planned for the following, on August 30th. The Grandmaster is an epic action film inspired by the life and times of Bruce Lee’s legendary kung fu master, Ip Man. The 3 international superstars at the film’s heart – Tony Leung, Ziyi Zhang and Chang Chen – all underwent several years of rigorous and extremely challenging kung fu training for their roles.

Samuel L. Jackson – a huge fan of the director – has lent his support of the movie by signing on as a presenter, along with filmmaker Martin Scorsese.

“The Grandmaster is a wild ride and an expertly crafted martial arts film. I was blown away by Tony Leung and Ziyi Zhang’s performances, and needless to say by Wong Kar Wai’s direction; he’s a living legend who I’ve admired for ages, and it’s a true honor to lend my support alongside Martin Scorsese.”

Below are some photos from The Grandmaster, including a shot with Samuel L. Jackson at the premiere.

Below is a series of animated tutorials from the website Vice.com called “The Art of Kung Fu,” all inspired by The Grandmaster. Tutorials include Wing Chun, Hung Gar and Bagua.

Wing Chun Tutorial – Wing Chun

Wing Chun Tutorial – Hung Gar

Wing Chun Tutorial – Bagua

The Grandmaster took six years to plan and three years to craft. The story spans the tumultuous Republican era that followed the fall of China’s last dynasty, a time of chaos, division and war that was also the golden age of Chinese martial arts. Filmed in a range of stunning locations that include the snow-swept landscapes of Northeast China and the subtropical South, The Grandmaster features virtuoso performances by some of the greatest stars of contemporary cinema.

With The Grandmaster, Wong Kar Wai has made a kung fu film like no other. Years of research before production and a virtual battalion of martial arts trainers on set ensured that The Grandmaster portrays both the Chinese martial arts and the world of the martial artists with unprecedented authenticity, with fight scenes choreographed by renowned action choreographer Yuen Wo Ping (The Matrix, Kill Bill, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). The trio of international superstars at the film’s heart – Tony Leung, Ziyi Zhang and Chang Chen – all underwent several years of rigorous and extremely challenging kung fu training for their roles.