Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has signed a multi-year content deal with El Rey Network, the new cable channel established by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.
Under the agreement, El Rey Network will offer subscribers titles from the Shaw Brothers library such as The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin, The Sword Of Swords, The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter and The Flying Guillotine.
The films, which will be presented with English subtitles and English dubbed tracks, will screen throughout the network’s schedule and during its monthly Saturday kungfu marathon. The next marathon will air March 1 and features The One Armed Swordsman trilogy.
Robert Rodriguez said: “Long before El Rey Network was born, I had many of the Shaw Brothers films on my playlist at home. It was a hard drive that had my hit list of personal favorites and certainly these titles were among the best in kung-fu films.
“They are action-packed and still have cult status among fans of the genre. We are thrilled to partner with Celestial Pictures on this collection as it is a perfect addition to our existing line-up of renegade programming.”
Celestial Pictures, Saban Capital and Lionsgate jointly own Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE), which operates pay-TV channels such as Celestial Movies and KIX and distributes content for Asian audiences.
El Rey is a 24-hour English-language network curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective. Content includes original dramas, feature films, grindhouse genre, cult classic action, horror/sci-fi and next-generation sports. Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures jointly own the network with a minority stake held by Univision Communications.
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