Sakra (film)
Sakra | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Traditional Chinese | 天龍八部之喬峯傳 |
Simplified Chinese | 天龙八部之乔峰传 |
Directed by | Donnie Yen[n 1] |
Screenplay by | Sheng Lingzhi Zhu Wei He Ben Chen Li Shen Lejing Xu Yifan |
Based on | Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Jin Yong |
Produced by | Donnie Yen Wong Jing |
Starring | Donnie Yen Chen Yuqi Cya Liu Kara Wai Wu Yue Eddie Cheung Grace Wong Ray Lui |
Cinematography | Chan Chi-ying |
Edited by | Li Ka-wing |
Music by | Choi Chul-ho |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Mandarin Motion Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 130 minutes |
Countries | Hong Kong China |
Languages | Cantonese Mandarin |
Budget | ¥150 million[3] |
Box office | $582,391[4] |
Sakra (simplified Chinese: 天龙八部之乔峰传; traditional Chinese: 天龍八部之喬峯傳) is a 2023 wuxia film directed by Donnie Yen, who also co-produced the film with Wong Jing. It is adapted from the wuxia novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils written by Jin Yong. The film stars Donnie Yen, Chen Yuqi, and Cya Liu, and it was released in OTT platforms in China at 2023 Chinese New Year. It was also released in theatres in Malaysia on 16 January 2023.[5][6]
Plot
As a baby, Khitan-born Qiao Feng loses his parents and is sent to be raised by a couple from the Song Empire, which is at war with the Khitan-led Liao Empire. He grows up and becomes the powerful chief of the Beggars' Sect, utilizing martial arts in battles. However, he is framed for the murder of deputy chief Ma Dayuan by his wife Lady Ma, and is kicked out from the sect after they discover his origin. He is soon framed for the murders of his parents and Xuanku, one of the sect's elders, when he finds their corpses; after the latter's murder, a fight ensues between Qiao Feng and the Beggars' Sect. He escapes while saving Morong servant Azhu, who was ordered to steal the Sect's Yijin Jing.
Due to Azhu being heavily injured, Qiao Feng takes her to be healed by doctor Xue Muhua, with the two growing closer on the way. However, once they arrive at the Heroes Gathering Manor, they are rejected; to prove his dedication for Azhu, Qiao Feng decides to sacrifice his life to save hers. After Qiao Feng drinks with the Beggars' Sect to sever ties, he fights against them. Near the end of the battle, a wounded Qiao Feng is saved by a mysterious person who kills most of the assailants.
Azhu is healed by Xue Muhua, who intends to keep her until Qiao Feng returns. Azhu ends up escaping, burning down Xue Muhua and his medical station in the process. Meanwhile, Qiao Feng starts to question his morality and origin after killing Song soldiers to save Khitan citizens during a sandstorm. Qiao Feng and Azhu soon reunite, professing their love for each other. Qiao Feng, who has renamed himself to Xiao Feng to reflect his true nationality, starts to search for the "Leading Big Brother", who was responsible for the ambush that killed his parents when he was a baby. Azhu goes undercover as Lady Ma, the true murderer of Ma Dayuan, and talks to Bai Shijing, who serves as her co-conspirator. Seeing through Azhu's disguise, he lies to her and tells her that Dali emperor Duan Zhengchun is the Leading Big Brother.
Qiao Feng and Azhu head to Mirror Lake, where they learn that he has conceived several children with several wives, with Azhu being one of the children. Upon learning this, Azhu stops Qiao Feng from killing Duan Zhengchun by disguising herself as him, causing him to unintentionally kill her. While mourning Azhu's death, Duan Zhengchun tells Qiao Feng that he is not the Leading Big Brother.
Qiao Feng, who ends up being accompanied by Azhu's sister Azi, confronts Bai Shijin and Kang Min. Soon, Murong family head Murong Fu and his army arrive, killing Bai Shijin and Kang Min. Qiao Feng fights Murong Fu while Azi fends off the army. At one point in the battle, Qiao Feng ends up nearly losing consciousness, but is able to get up and defeat Murong Fu after remembering his Buddha teachings when he was young. With the battle over, Azi and the arriving Beggars' Sect members watch as Qiao Feng rides away.
Some time later, Qiao Feng, as promised, takes Azhu's remains to the country side and buries her as his wife. He confesses that she will always be with him while giving her updates about her family including her mom moving in with her father then leaving again and Azi disappearing to roam the world. As Qiao Feng leaves, the scene changes to what life would've been if he and Azhu had left everything behind and raised cattle. Qiao Feng and Azi then ride horseback towards a potential hostile army.
In a mid-credit scene, Murong Fu is revived by his father Murong Bu. In a second mid-credits scene, Murong Bu visits Qiao Yuanshan, Qiao Feng's biological father, who survived the Leading Big Brother's attack, abandoned Qiao Feng, murdered Qiao Feng's adoptive parents and Xuanku, and saved Qiao Feng from the fight at the Heroes Gathering Manor.
Cast
- Donnie Yen as Qiao Feng
- Yen also played the role of Xiao Yuanshan, Qiao Feng's biological father.
- Chen Yuqi as Azhu
- Cya Liu as Azi
- Kara Wai as Ruan Xingzhu
- Wu Yue as Murong Fu
- Eddie Cheung as Duan Zhengchun
- Grace Wong as Kang Min
- Du Yuming as Bai Shijing
- Ray Lui as Murong Bo
- Michelle Hu as Mrs Xiao
- Tsui Siu-ming as Jiu Mozhi
- Cai Xiangyu as Abi
- Zhao Huawei as Duan Yu
- Yu Kang as Yu Jou
- Xu Xiangdong as Xuannan
- Yuen Cheung-yan as Xue Muhua
Production
Principal photography for the film started on 27 July 2022 and concluded in October 2022. In April 2022, the film was registered as a "web-distributed film" in China National Radio and Television Administration.[7] In May 2022, the first concept poster was released during the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. The production crew was also announced, including Donnie Yen as the director, producer and lead cast.[8] In July 2022, Cya Liu indicated that she would join the cast during the interview with Oriental Daily News.[9] In August 2022, Grace Wong posted a photo on social media, showing herself wearing a Sakra T-shirt at Hengdian World Studios.[10] In September 2022, a behind-the-scene video clip showing Donnie Yen and Chen Yuqi was released.[11] In October 2022, the film ended filming, and moved on to post-production.[12][5]
Release
In December 2022, it was announced that the film was scheduled for release in theatres in Malaysia on 16 January 2023.[6]
Reception
Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports an approval rating of 70% based on 20 reviews.[13] Simon Abrams of RogerEbert.com gave the film three stars and called it "a surprisingly well-realized star vehicle and adaptation."[14]
Notes
- ^ Donnie Yen served as the main director for the film, while Kam Ka-wai and Cheng Wai-man are the co-directors.
References
- ^ "厦门出品影片亮相戛纳 有望明年和国内观众见面". 厦门网. 厦门日报. 2022-05-20.
- ^ a b "天龍八部之喬峰傳 1月16號GSC全馬上映". Facebook. GSCinemas. 2022-12-02.
- ^ "投资1.5亿《天龙八部之乔峰传》不到十天已回本 是时候打造中国流媒体电影生意了". 每日经济新闻. 2023-01-31.
- ^ "Sakra". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Tokyo: Donnie Yen on Stepping Behind the Camera for His Martial Arts Passion Project 'Sakra'". The Hollywood Reporter. 2022-10-24.
- ^ a b "甄子丹、惠英红、吴樾《乔峰传》发新海报,或转"网大"线上播出". MSN (in Chinese). 红星新闻. 2022-12-04.
- ^ "2022年4月全国重点网络影视剧拍摄备案情况". 公众号平台 (in Chinese). 最高人民检察院影视中心. 2022-06-14.
网络电影 序号108 天龙八部之乔峰传 古代 武打
- ^ Patrick Brzeski (2022-05-17). "Cannes: Donnie Yen to Star in Chinese Tentpole 'Sakra'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
- ^ "劉雅瑟入行18年經歷墮落迷失 自封最窮影后". Oriental Daily News (in Chinese). 2022-07-22. Archived from the original on 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
- ^ "女主角敲定「最美趙敏」陳鈺琪 王君馨拍《喬峰傳》指甄子丹要求高". Exmoo News (in Chinese). No. 2431. 2022-08-04. Archived from the original on 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
- ^ "Donnie Yen attracts brickbats after using stretcher to carry co-star during shoot". Malay Mail. 2022-09-20.
- ^ "「天龍八部之喬峰」無事撮影終了〜". twitter (in Japanese). Kenji Tanigaki. 2022-10-04.
- ^ "Sakra". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ Abrams, Simon (April 14, 2023). "Sakra". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.