Alibaba Pictures Announces International Release of Gong Shou Dao
PASADENA, Calif., Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alibaba Pictures, Alibaba Group's entertainment affiliate, is launching the global release of Gong Shou Dao (GSD) on February 16, 2018, in time for Chinese New Year. The film is a tribute to Chinese martial arts, particularly Taiji (or Tai Chi), which is practiced by millions of people around the world.
GSD is a short film created by Jack Ma, Founder and Chairman of Alibaba Group, and Jet Li, world-renowned actor and martial artist, having appeared in films such as Lethal Weapon 4 and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. The film stars Ma and eleven of the most well-known martial arts masters representing eight different martial art disciplines: Taiji, Tae Kwon Do, Wing Chun, Sumo, Boxing, Free Combat, Snap Kick and Muay Thai. Other cast in the film include distinguished actors Donnie Yen, Wu Jing, Tony Jaa, Sammo Hung Kang-bo, and Natasha Liu Bordizzo of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny.
The storyline follows Ma, who stumbles across a street called "Mount Hua Sect". Upon entering, he is soon confronted by martial arts masters from around the world and tests each of the eight disciplines through dramatic fight sequences. It is not until the end of Ma's journey that the truth of his experience is revealed. To watch the film in full and read more about GSD, visit the official site: https://gongshoudaofilm.com/
Wei Zhang, President of Alibaba Pictures, said: "GSD is a celebration of Chinese culture, martial arts and all that they represent. We're proud to be launching this film across the world, especially on the most important day in the Chinese calendar. Our main ambition for this film is to promote Taiji and other martial arts not only to celebrate their rich histories, but also to highlight Taiji's emphasis on harmony and balance."
GSD was first released in China in November 2017, with the aim of revitalizing national passion for martial arts in its birthplace. Having already received 170 million views online, GSD is now looking to tell its story on a global scale, promoting Taiji and other methods of martial arts. Taiji itself is more than just an activity; it is a philosophy and a way of life that has shaped many generations.
This sentiment was recognized by the starring cast and reflected in the fact that none of them took pay for acting in the film. With over a quarter of the globe's population expected to take part in Chinese New Year celebrations, Alibaba Pictures hopes to pay homage to the 5,000 year-old art of Taiji through GSD, and that its appreciation for all martial arts is echoed around the world.
About Alibaba Pictures Group Limited:
Alibaba Pictures is listed on both The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (stock code: 1060) and the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (stock code: S91). As the flagship unit of Alibaba Group's entertainment arm, Alibaba Pictures focuses on developing the full business potential of integration and innovative applications of the Internet and traditional film and television industries. The core business of Alibaba Pictures includes the three major segments of (i) Internet-based promotion and distribution, (ii) Content Production and (iii) Integrated Development. That includes (i) the operation of an integrated O2O platform for the promotion and distribution of entertainment content, and the provision of online movie ticketing service to consumers and ticket issuance system to cinemas; (ii) the investment and production of entertainment content such as film and drama series both domestically and internationally; and, (iii) centered around copyrights the development of professional services ranging from financing, business placement, promotion and distribution to merchandising.
SOURCE Alibaba Pictures Group Limited
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