‘Ip Man’ and Tak Sakaguchi coming to NYAFF

The folks at Subway Cinema are thumbing their noses at the economy by remaining determined to make this year’s New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) one of their best. The fest is scheduled for June 19 through July 5 and they already have an impressive line-up. As usual, I’ll focus on their martial arts and action-related offering. You can find a complete preview at the Subway Cinema News blog.

Japanese action star and director Tak Sakaguchi (VERSUS, AZUMI) will be in attendance to present his films YOROI SAMURAI ZOMBIE and BE A MAN! SAMURAI SCHOOL. Joining him will be stuntman and action choreographer Isao Karasawa (FLASHPOINT). The two plan to perform live stunts onstage before the screenings.

Ryoo Seung-wan (THE CITY OF VIOLENCE) will be there to present his latest film, the spy spoof DACHIMAWA LEE, as well as a rare action comedy from Korea called MISS, PLEASE BE PATIENT (1981).

Wing Chun biopic IP MAN, starring Donnie Yen and featuring the action choreography of Sammo Hung, will be making its theatrical debut in the U.S. Other screenings sans guest appearances include Tony Ching’s swordplay epic AN EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS, a retrospective screening of Chang Cheh’s kung fu classic THE FIVE VENOMS, period superhero actioner K-20: LEGEND OF THE MASK starring Takeshi Kaneshiro, and trashy gore actioner SAMURAI PRINCESS.

Tags: An Empress and the Warriors (2008), film festival, Ip Man (2008), NYAFF, The Five Venoms (1978)