‘The Matrix,’ ‘Kill Bill,’ ‘Crouching Tiger’ Choreographer Yuen Woo-ping to Receive Far East Film Festival Lifetime Award

The Far East Film Festival will present Hong Kong action choreographer and director Yuen Woo-ping with its Golden Mulberry Award for lifetime achievement at the event’s 28th edition, in Udine, Italy.

His most recent directorial work, the wuxia feature “Blades of the Guardians,” will close the festival. Adapted from the award-winning Chinese manhua series “Biao Ren,” the film centers on a mercenary warrior making his way through the desert terrain and political chaos of China’s late Sui Dynasty, tasked with escorting a wanted man through seemingly insurmountable dangers. The picture draws on elements of the Western and period epic alongside the martial arts traditions that have defined Yuen’s career.
The festival highlighted a sandstorm sequence – staged in a style reminiscent of “Mad Max” – as a particular standout, and noted that Yuen has already begun planning a sequel to the film, which opened during Lunar New Year.

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Yuen, who recently celebrated his 81st birthday, made his name first in Hong Kong, where he directed “Drunken Master” – a key film in establishing Jackie Chan’s global stardom – along with “Iron Monkey” and “True Legend.” He went on to choreograph action for some of the most celebrated international productions of the past 25 years, shaping the fight language of the Wachowski sisters’ “Matrix” trilogy, Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” Quentin Tarantino’s two “Kill Bill” films, and Wong Kar Wai’s “The Grandmaster.” He is also known for the “Ip Man” franchise.

At the festival, Japanese actor Yakusho Koji will be the other recipient of the lifetime achievement award, while Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing will receive an outstanding achievement award.

The 28th Far East Film Festival runs April 24–May 2 at the Teatro Nuovo and Visionario in Udine.