Legend of the Demon Cat
Legend of the Demon Cat (Chinese: 妖猫传; pinyin: Yāo Māo Zhuàn) is a 2017 Xianxia fantasy mystery film directed by Chen Kaige, based on the novel Śramaṇa Kūkai (Japanese:沙門空海 唐の国にて鬼と宴す) written by Japanese writer Yoneyama Mineo, known under the pen-name Baku Yumemakura.[5][3] It was released in China in December 2017.[6][7]
Legend of the Demon Cat | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Chen Kaige |
Based on | Śramaṇa Kūkai by Baku Yumemakura |
Starring | Huang Xuan Shōta Sometani |
Music by | Klaus Badelt Misha Segal |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Emperor Motion Pictures Moonstone Entertainment[2] |
Release date |
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Country | China Hong Kong Japan |
Language | Mandarin Japanese |
Budget | CN¥170 million[3] |
Box office | CN¥530 million[4] |
Plot
The story is set in China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). A demon cat appears and breaks the peace of the capital, Chang’an City, causing a series of strange events. Poet Bai Letian and Monk Kukai join together to investigate the death of Concubine Yang by following the trail left by the cat, unveiling a buried fact.[1]
Cast
- Huang Xuan as Bai Letian
- Shōta Sometani as Kūkai
- Kitty Zhang as Chunqin
- Qin Hao as Chen Yunqiao
- Hiroshi Abe as Abe no Nakamaro
- Keiko Matsuzaka as Bai Ling
- Liu Haoran as Bai Long
- Oho Ou as the young Dan Long
- Zhang Tianai as Yulian
- Zhang Luyi as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
- Sandrine Pinna as Lady Yang
- Tian Yu as Gao Lishi
- Liu Peiqi as Huang He
- Xin Baiqing as Li Bai
- Cheng Taisheng as the Old Dan Long
- Mason Lee as the Chamberlain
- Qin Yi as Old Lady-in-waiting
- Shōhei Hino as Kūkai's Teacher
Production
A set costing US$200 million and five years to create was constructed for the film. It was reported that the set will be turned into a theme park.[8]
Awards and nominations
Awards | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
25th Beijing College Student Film Festival | Best Director | Chen Kaige | Nominated | [9] |
Best Visual Effects | N/A | Won | [10] | |
23rd Huading Awards | Best Director | Chen Kaige | Nominated | [11] |
Best Supporting Actress | Sandrine Pinna | Won | [12] | |
9th China Film Director's Guild Awards | Best Film | Legend of the Demon Cat | Nominated | [13] |
Best Director | Chen Kaige | Nominated | ||
12th Asian Film Awards | Best Director | Chen Kaige | Nominated | [14][15] |
Best Supporting Actress | Kitty Zhang | Won | ||
Best Cinematography | Cao Yu | Nominated | ||
Best Costume Design | Chen Tongxun | Won | ||
Best Production Design | Tu Nan and Lu Wei | Won | ||
Best Visual Effects | Ishi Norio | Won |
See also
References
- "Legend of the Demon Cat". Emperor Motion Pictures.
- "Chen Kaige's 'Demon Cat' Picked Up by Moonstone, Emperor". Variety.
- "Stills from "The Legend of the Demon Cat" Released". Asian Movie Pulse.
- http://www.cbooo.cn/m/643285
- "The Legend of Cat Demon is being filmed". People's Daily. 4 November 2016.
- "Chen Kaige completes shooting of new film "The Legend of the Cat Demon"". China Radio International. 31 December 2016.
- https://variety.com/2017/film/asia/japan-china-coproduction-treaty-advanced-stage-1202599541/
- "Legend of the Demon Cat: Chen Kaige adapts to China's changed cinematic landscape with lavish production". South China Morning Post.
- "第二十五届北京大学生电影节闭幕式暨颁奖典礼圆满落幕". Tencent (in Chinese). May 7, 2018.
- "Student film festival draws down the curtain". China Daily. May 7, 2018.
- "第23届华鼎奖提名:《战狼2》、《芳华》双雄逐鹿". Sina (in Chinese). March 20, 2018.
- "第23届华鼎奖林心如封后温情致谢爱女". Huanqiu (in Chinese). April 9, 2018.
- "电影导演协会2017年度入围名单揭晓 吴京入围最佳导演". ifeng (in Chinese). February 27, 2018.
- "Asian Film Awards 2018 nominations". South China Morning Post. January 11, 2018.
- "Asian Film Awards: 'Youth' Wins Top Prize From 'Demon Cat'". Variety. March 17, 2018.