Oscar-winning producer and Recorded Picture Company boss Jeremy Thomas has revealed details of his plans for the 3D version of Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor (1987).
“I’ve done a beautiful 4K 3D version of The Last Emperor under the tutelage of Bernardo (Bertolucci) and (cinematographer Vittorio) Storaro,” Thomas commented.
“It’s perfect, beautiful, ands it makes the film look incredible.”
The 3D version, nearing completion, has been done in collaboration with visual effects specialists Prime Focus.
Thomas is now plotting how to ensure the 3D version will be shown in China.
“There is a very big audience in China for this film,” Thomas said.
The Recorded Picture Company boss will travel to China to negotiate the release of the film in person. “You need to go there. You need to go and see and talk to people.”
Release arrangements are also yet to be set for elsewhere for the 3D Last Emperor. Thomas suggested distributors who handled the film first time round are in pole position, as long as they can deliver “proper” cinemas.
The original 2D version, a biopic of Puyi (the Last Emperor Of China), was produced independently by Thomas and went on to win nine Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. The film famously broke new ground by shooting inside The Forbidden City in Beijing.
Thomas has had mixed fortunes in China with some of his other recent films. Partly for censorship reasons, David Cronenberg’s A Dangerous Method, about the friendship and rivalry between Freud and Jung, is yet to be seen in Chinese cinemas.
“We are selling VOD films in China but to have your film released properly…it is still a very difficult place to work,” Thomas commented.
Thomas has several new films in the pipeline, among them Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive and Vara: A Blessing, the new feature from Bhutanese auteur Khyentse Norbu.
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