"The Guillotines" Chinese Theatrical Poster
Via a company newsletter, Well Go USA has officially announced their acquisition of director Andrew Lau’s historical actioner The Guillotines. Andrew Lau, famous for helming the original Infernal Affairs and Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen, is back with a a new Chinese-language film that pays homage to the classic Flying Guillotine movies of old. Here’s the first plot synopsis:
During the Manchurian-ruled Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yong Zheng established a secret assassination squad known as the Guillotines to eliminate all who opposed him. Once heavily favored by the Emperor, the Guillotines are deemed expendable once Emperor Qian Long ascends to the throne and adopts Western ideas and technology. To consolidate his power under a new regime, the Emperor continues to use the Guillotines to persecute the conquered Han Chinese in a reign of terror and oppression.
Well Go USA is planning a unique release strategy for the film. While it receives a limited theatrical release on June 14th, 2013, The Guillotines will be available in advance via Ultra Video on Demand starting May 14th. Film Business Asia’s review describes the film’s action sequences as “gritty rather than flashy” and says to get ready for some “good-old-fashioned spectacle.” To tide you over while you wait for May 14th, here’s an English-subbed trailer.
