852 Films, which is co-founded by singer-actress Josie Ho and producer Conroy Chan, has launched five new projects at Hong Kong’s Filmart.
Additionally, the production outfit unveiled Iman Taheri, who becomes their first signed artist. He stars in horror film The Mage, directed by Danny Pang. The film also stars Ho and German Cheung. Taheri is set to appear in the sequel The Mage 2, which will start filming in April this year — as well as in several upcoming films on the company’s slate.
852 Films has worked on Open Grave, starring Shalto Copley, Thomas Kretschmann and Josie Ho, as well as How To Talk To Girls At Parties, directed by John Cameron Mitchell.
Besides launching The Mage 2, 852 Films also unveiled Macao Redux, with Jordan Gertner (The Killer Inside Me) set to direct. The film follows four friends — Z, a magician; Jade, an actress; Marco, a tech wizard; and Hazel, a historian — who embark on an adventure in Macau for “The Hidden Game” together — an innovative blend of augmented reality and treasure hunting.
The four friends accidentally steal an urn containing the ashes of a legendary ruler from a triad-controlled casino. Mistaken for infiltrators by the triads and suspects in a series of unsolved crimes by the police, they find themselves in a perilous game of cat and mouse as they navigate the streets of Macau and make us of their unique skills — Z’s sleight of hand, Jade’s dramatic improvisations, Marco’s tech tricks, and Hazel’s historical insights.
Another project on the 852 Films slate is mystery film The Connoisseurs, produced by Chan and Max Ip. Set in an opulent European mansion, an extravagant gala unfolds, filled with the elite of society. Iman, accompanied by his father, mingles with the guests, while a mafia boss mingles in the crowd and two cloaked figures quietly descend into the mansion.
Iman’s father’s prized possessions, including a magnificent diamond and two renowned paintings, go missing at the gala. Iman and the guests are thrust into a web of intrigue and betrayal, and scramble to uncover the truth behind the theft.
My Funny Valentine follows a prince, burdened with the responsibility of inheriting his family legacy — but just a week before his wedding, he finds out that his fiancée has been unfaithful. Devastated, the prince decides to escape to Semporna in Sabah, Malaysia, seeking solace and peace. There, he meets two affluent sisters in a luxurious resort.
The younger sister has been entrusted with managing the family resort. One day, the resort hosts a grand festival and the younger daughter, slightly tipsy, boards her family’s yacht and sails out, before waking up the next morning and finding the prince onboard. Planning to return to the resort, they are confronted with a problem: the boat has run out of fuel. This serendipitous mishap sets the stage for a love story.
Báthory, with Matthew David Wilder (Your Name Here) set to direct, is based on the story of Hungary’s Elizabeth Báthory, who found infamy after bathing in the blood of virgins.
