Under the output deal, Sundream will handle theatrical and video distribution of all TWC titles deemed suitable for the Hong Kong market, while some of the titles will also screen on pay-TV platform Cable TV. Sundream is the film arm of Hong Kong pay-TV operator i-CABLE Communications which operates Cable TV.
The first titles to go through the deal include The Band's Visit, Teeth and Sicko, along with Elite Squad, which recently won the Golden Bear at Berlin.
Following the appointment of industry veteran Nan Wong as distribution and acquisitions chief, Sundream launched its own Hong Kong distribution outfit last month with the release of Korean comedy Le Grand Chef. Upcoming releases include Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon on April 3.
Meanwhile, the co-production deal calls for Sundream to co-produce two as-yet-unidentified 'Asian-themed' films over the next five years with the TWC's Asian Film Fund.
Separately Sundream is developing a slate of projects headed by $5m action drama The Champions to be directed by Sundream president Tsui Siu-ming and star Dicky Cheung. Beijing-based Huayi Brothers is co-producing the film, about the Chinese wushu team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Production is scheduled to start at the end of this month.
Sundream's slate also includes Cao Baoping's The Equation Of Love And Death starring Zhou Xun and Deng Chao, also co-produced with Huayi Brothers, and Zhang Yibai's drama Lost Indulgence, starring Karen Mok, Eason Chan and Eric Tsang.
The company is also co-producing Yu Lik-wai's Plastic City with China 's Xstream Pictures, Brazil 's Gullane Filmes and Japan 's Bitters End.
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