"Sight" to be Released in TheateRs Nationwide May 24th

Read the original Deadline exclusive here

 Angel Studios, the studio behind Sound of Freedom and The Chosen, has acquired worldwide rights to the indie drama Sight starring Terry Chen (Almost Famous) and Greg Kinnear (As Good as It Gets), slating it for release on May 24.

Written and directed by Andrew Hyatt (The Blind), pic tells the true story of Dr. Ming Wang (Chen), a Chinese immigrant who defied all odds to become a world-renowned eye surgeon in the United States. Drawing upon the grit and determination he gained from a turbulent uprising in his upbringing, Dr. Wang set out to restore the sight of a blind orphan.

“Rarely have we seen the strength and resolve of Chinese-Americans shown in a powerful way on the big screen,” Fischer told Deadline. “After spending years bringing Sight to life, Angel Studios is the perfect partner for audiences who want to be inspired by Dr. Wang’s story of hope, perseverance, and freedom.”

Jared Geesey, Chief Distribution Officer of Angel Studios, added that “when the film Sight was brought to the Angel Guild, it received an incredible amount of support. Our audience resonates with true stories of everyday heroes. We are confident that this story will encourage all who experience it and help spur a movement to help others, and are honored to release the film during Asian Heritage Month.”

Sight also stars Fionnula Flanagan (Lost), Mia Swaminathan (Kim’s Convenience), Jayden Zhang (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and Ben Wang (The Last O.G.). David Fischer produced for Open River Entertainment, alongside Darren Moorman for Reserve Entertainment.

Dan Mark and Rachel Tan are co-producing for King Street Pictures.

The Exchange Acquires Worldwide Rights to "Worth The Wait"

Link To Original Variety Exclusive here

The Exchange has acquired the worldwide sales rights of romantic comedy feature “Worth the Wait,” which stars Lana Condor (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” franchise, “Moonshot”) and Andrew Koji (“Bullet Train,” Netflix’s “Peaky Blinders”).

The Exchange will introduce the title to buyers at the European Film Market in Berlin, which runs Feb. 15-21.

Set in Seattle and Kuala Lumpur, “Worth the Wait” is a story about the intertwining lives of Asian-American strangers over the course of a year as they find new loves, mend their relationships, and create new connections.

The film, which is in post-production, is directed by Tom Shu-Yu Lin, whose credits include “The Garden of Evening Mists” and “Winds of September.”

“A modern approach to ‘Love Actually’ with a star-studded Asian American cast, Tom made a heartwarming rom-com that is truly worth the wait,” said Nat McCormick, The Exchange’s worldwide sales and distribution president.

Other members of the cast include Ross Butler (“Shazam!” franchise, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” franchise), Sung Kang (“Fast & Furious” franchise, “Raya and the Last Dragon”), Elodie Yung (Fox’s “The Cleaning Lady,” “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”), Karena Lam (“American Girl”) and Kheng Hua Tan (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Kung Fu,” “The Tiger’s Apprentice”).

The film is produced by Dan Mark and Rachel Tan of King Street Pictures, Marcus Englefield and George Lee of Storyoscopic Films, and Vincent Xie of Waymaker Pictures. Executive producers include Condor, Koji, Andrew Ooi of Echelon Talent Management, Steve Shapiro of Argus Entertainment Capital and Matt Drake of Abbott Street Films.

The Exchange’s EFM lineup includes Luke Evans and Milla Jovovich’s “World Breaker,” Orlando Bloom’s “The Cut,” Anna Faris’ “I, Object,” Peter Dinklage’s “The Thicket,” Zoe Saldana’s “The Absence of Eden,” “My Octopus Teacher” Academy Award-winning producer James Reed’s “The White Mountain” and Peacock Original’s “Bosco.”

"Worth The Wait" Wraps Production With All-Star Asian Ensemble Cast

https://deadline.com/2023/06/lana-condor-sung-kang-worth-the-wait-tom-shu-yu-lin-rom-com-1235418216/

Lana Condor (To All The Boys franchise), Andrew Koji (Bullet Train), Ross Butler (Shazam! franchise), Sung Kang (Fast & Furious franchise) and Elodie Yung (The Cleaning Lady) are among those set to star in Worth the Wait, a romantic comedy marking the U.S. directorial debut of award-winning Taiwanese filmmaker Tom Shu-Yu Lin (The Garden of Evening Mists), which has wrapped production in Vancouver and Kuala Lumpur.

Others cast include Karena Lam (American Girl), Osric Chau (Supernatural), Ali Fumiko Whitney (The Road Dance), Ricky He (From), Kheng Hua Tan (Crazy Rich Asians) and Yu-Beng Lim (Rebel Moon).

An English-language indie set against the intercontinental backdrops of Seattle and Kuala Lumpur, which is said to be in the vein of Love Actually, Worth the Wait follows a year in the interconnected lives and romances of an all-Asian ensemble cast. Script is written by Maggie Hartmans. Producers include Dan Mark and Rachel Tan for King Street Pictures (Snakehead, upcoming Sight), George Lee and Marcus Englefield for Storyoscopic Films (Animal Crackers, upcoming Tiger Mom), and Vincent Xie of Waymaker Pictures. Exec producers are Matt Drake of Abbott Street Films, Steve Shapiro of Argus Entertainment Capital, Condor under her Serious Bird Studios banner and Koji through his company Warmth Entertainment. The financiers are Waymaker Pictures and Jupiter Peak Productions (American).

Stated King Street Pictures’ Mark and Tan, “We’ve always loved ensemble romantic comedies like ‘Love Actually’ and are so excited to be able to share our own take on the genre with an all Asian cast and a script inspired by our own love story, our family, and different stages of our lives. Having produced Asian American films since 2015, we feel honored for our labor of love to be a part of this incredible moment that Asian Americans are having in cinema right now.”

Best known for starring in the hit franchise To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before for Netflix, Condor has also previously been seen in films like Moonshot, Alita: Battle Angel, Patriots Day and X-Men: Apocalypse. She voices the title role in DreamWorks’ forthcoming animated film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, out June 30th via Universal, and will also soon be seen in 87North’s actioner Ballerina Overdrive and Monarch Media’s thriller Valiant One, among other projects.

Koji leads the Cinemax series Warrior, which moves to Max for its third season out June 29th. Notable film credits for the actor include Bullet Train, Snake Eyes and the forthcoming Boy Kills World.

Known for portraying Super Hero Eugene in Warner Bros’ Shazam! films, Butler appeared in multiple installments of the To All the Boys franchise and has also been seen on series like Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Riverdale and 13 Reasons Why.

Currently in theaters with Fast X, the latest chapter in the Fast & Furious franchise in which he stars opposite Vin Diesel and many more, Kang has also recently been seen in the film Snakehead and on series like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Lisey’s Story, Power and Power Book II: Ghost.

Yung leads Fox’s crime drama series The Cleaning Lady, which has been renewed for a third season, and is otherwise best known on the TV side for her role as Elektra in the Marvel series Daredevil and The Defenders. Notable film credits include Secret Society of Second Born Royals, The Hitman’s Bodyguard and David Fincher’s take on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Lin’s most recent film, The Garden of Evening Mists, snagged nine nominations at the Golden Horse Awards — the Chinese equivalent of the Oscars — including Best Director and Best Narrative Feature. He made his directorial debut with Winds of September, for which he won a Golden Horse Award for Best Screenplay, and has also been behind titles like Zinnia Flower and Starry Starry Night, both for which he earned Golden Horse Award nominations for Best Screenplay.

Deadline covers "Snakehead" Acquisition - to be Released in Theaters

Proud to announce that “Snakehead”, the film we produced starring Sung Kang (the “Fast and the Furious” franchise), has been acquired for distribution by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions and will be released in theaters. Directed by Sundance director Evan Jackson Leong (“Linsanity”) and produced by Brian Yang, the film also stars Shuya Chang (Netflix’s “Crouching Tiger” Sequel), Jade Wu (“Luke Cage), Perry Yung (“Warrior”) and Celia Au (“Wu Assassins”).

https://deadline.com/2021/06/samuel-goldwyn-films-roadside-attractions-acquire-us-rights-snakehead-shuya-chang-sung-kang-evan-jackson-leong-1234776372/

Variety Covers Our Film "Sight" - Greg Kinnear and Terry Chen to Star

Honored for Variety to cover our talent announcement for our new feature “Sight”.

Dan and Rachel are co-producing the film which is currently in production in Vancouver and stars beloved actor Greg Kinnear (“Little Miss Sunshine”) and celebrated Asian American thespian Terry Chen (“House of Cards”). “Sight” is directed by Andrew Hyatt (Sony’s “Paul, Apostle of Christ”) and is being produced with Darren Moorman (Paramount’s “Same Kind of Different As Me” starring Renée Zellweger, Greg Kinnear, and Djimon Hounsou).

"Snakehead" Premieres at 2021 Santa Barbara International Film Festival

We are excited to announce that our film “Snakehead” recently premiered as an official selection in competition at the 2021 Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). The film stars Sung Kang (Fast & Furious, Better Luck Tomorrow), Shuya Chang (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny), Jade Wu (Netflix’s Luke Cage, For Life, Magnum P.I.), Celia Au (Wu Assassins), Jamie Choi (Rainbow Six: Siege, Gotham), and Perry Yung (HBO Max’s Warrior, John Wick: Chapter 2). The film is directed by Sundance alum Evan Jackson Leong (Linsanity) and produced with Brian Yang from 408 Films.

"Love & Busking" Released Theatrically in South Korea

We are excited to announce that the award-winning South Korean co-production musical film we helped produce “Love & Busking” has been released theatrically in South Korea by distributor Mirospace under the Korean title “Music & Reality”. The film originally premiered as the Centerpiece Showcase Film at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) and was also an official selection at the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF), CAAM Fest, Cinetopia and many other film festivals across the country.

The Hollywood Reporter features "Heavenquest: A Pilgrim's Progress" on its front page

We are honored that The Hollywood Reporter, one of the most iconic and prestigious entertainment trade publications in the world, took an interest in our faith based fantasy film "Heavenquest: A Pilgrim's Progress" and wrote an article covering our journey into production.

Excerpt from the article below:

"'The Pilgrim's Progress,' Written in 1678, to Become Faith-Based Film

The movie comes from King Street Pictures, founded by entertainment lawyers.

Christian filmmakers are tackling a movie based on what is generally considered the first novel written in English.

The book, The Pilgrim's Progress From This World, to That Which Is to Come, was written in 1678 by John Bunyan. He began his Christian allegory while in prison, accused of conducting religious services without permission. The book has been translated into more than 200 languages and many theologians consider it the second most-read book of faith after the Bible.

The film, dubbed Heavenquest: A Pilgrim's Progress, is the third movie from King Street Pictures, which makes faith-inspired films for a global audience. King Street was founded last year by former Warner Bros. attorney Dan Mark and his partner Rachel Tan, a former actress in Hong Kong and also an entertainment attorney. 

The first two movies from King Street, which is partially funded by Asian investors, are Snakehead and Fiction and Other Realities, both in postproduction. The former is a drama about human smuggling, while the latter is an English and Korean language musical.

With Heavenquest, King Street is hoping to break a couple of barriers for faith-based movies: Earn itself a worldwide audience and prove that Christian moviegoers appreciate the fantasy genre."

Read the full article here.

Christian Post features "Heavenquest" as a Groundbreaking Faith-based Fantasy Adventure Film

Actor Patrick Thompson as Vangel on the set of "Heavenquest," 2017 | Photo by Robert Ryu

Heavenquest: A Pilgrim's Progress was recently featured by leading Christian news platform, The Christian Post, and we were honored to be interviewed as the producer of this epic fantasy faith based film.

Excerpt from the article below:

"New Movie to Break Ground With Action-Packed Telling of John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress' (Interview)

Christian filmmakers King Street Pictures have begun production on a groundbreaking faith-based fantasy adventure film which will be based on the iconic 1678 novel, The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.

The Pilgrim's Progress, cited as the first novel written in English, has been translated into over 200 languages and has never been out of print. Now, the beloved Christian allegory will be put to film in "Heavenquest: A Pilgrim's Progress."

King Street Pictures announced on Friday that it started production on the cinematic version of The Pilgrim's Progress in Los Angeles and Redding, California. The film will bring together an international cast of well-known actors. The cast includes one of South Korea's most successful stars, In-Pyo Cha, as well as Karyme Lozano and Fernanda Romero from Mexico, Peta Sergeant from Australia, and Ricky Kim from South Korea. Well-known American Christian actor Alan Powell is also a part of the lead cast.

Kingstreet Pictures Producer Dan Mark with actor Alan Powell on the set of "Heavenquest"

When asked about the importance of retelling this story on the silver screen and making it "action-packed and gritty," producer and principal of King Street Pictures, Dan Mark, said Christians are not one dimensional and can appreciate all types of entertainment.

"If we want to inspire, we have to entertain audiences first. With 'Heavenquest,' we're using the action and fantasy genres to retell a powerful story to a new audience. And to do that, it has to be gritty and authentic because that's what they expect and deserve, " Mark told The Christian Post.

"Christian audiences are not monolithic. They enjoy all kinds of content, whether fantasy, sci-fi, action. What better vehicles to tell stories than these genres which allow so much creativity in storytelling, and the ability to convey complex ideas and questions about faith, life, and love in a package modern audiences understand in the everyday language they speak in.""

Read the full article here.

"Heavenquest: A Pilgrim's Progress" Begins Filming

  Actor Patrick Thompson as Vangel.  Photo Credit: Robert Ryu                                

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Press@Inspire.Buzz
323-379-5180

The Growing Faith-Based Genre Goes Global as Action-Packed Fantasy Film “Heavenquest: A Pilgrim’s Progress”—Featuring a Powerful Cast of International Stars from Asia, Australia, Mexico, and the US—Begins Filming in California

Bolstered by the success of faith-based and inspirational hits in the U.S., King Street Pictures—a production company with domestic and Asian ties—seeks to foster and develop a new global faith audience with an edgy, fantasy adventure film inspired by “The Pilgrim’s Progress”, a 1678 novel by John Bunyan, best-selling fiction author of all time, whose work is widely considered second only to the Bible in Christendom

Cast highlights— South Korean film and television legend In Pyo Cha (LAUREL TREE TAILORS, CROSSING, MOKPO GANGSTER’S PARADISE, SEOUL SEARCHING), Karyme Lozano from Mexico (Televisa’s QUIERO AMARTE, FOR GREATER GLORY: THE TRUE STORY OF CRISTIADA), Peta Sergeant from Australia (CW’s THE ORIGINALS and ABC’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND), Ricky Kim from South Korea (SBS’ OH! MY BABY), and Fernanda Romero from Mexico (400 DAYS and THE EYE), and including Americans Alan Powell (THE SONG, lead singer of Christian group Anthem Lights) and introducing Patrick Thompson with Matt Bilen making his directorial debut alongside Producers Dan Mark and David Kang and Executive Producers In Pyo Cha, Ricky Kim and Darren Wilson (FATHER OF LIGHTS, FURIOUS LOVE, HOLY GHOST)

(LOS ANGELES, CA—July 11, 2017) Heavenquest: A Pilgrim’s Progress, a highly-anticipated, groundbreaking new faith-based fantasy adventure film, has officially started production in Los Angeles and Redding, California. The film, inspired by John Bunyan’s iconic 1678 novel The Pilgrim’s Progress, which is second only to the Bible itself in global Christianity, brings together a powerful cast of well-known U.S. faith-based actors, and international film and television stars, including South Korean megastar Cha In Pyo. As the best selling fictional author of all time, John Bunyan and his masterpiece The Pilgrim’s Progress is known in virtually every corner of the globe.

“With this film, we’re trying to break new ground in the faith-based genre. It’s dirt-under-the-fingernails, action-packed, grittier, more stylistic, and more cinematic than what audiences have seen previously. Our cast is diverse, representing faith around the globe. We think this unique combination is the ‘next step’ faithful moviegoers have been looking for, said Director Matt Bilen. “We’ve wanted to make Heavenquest for so many years, I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to be on set making this incredible epic brought to life.

“The Heavenquest team has long believed that while the success of faith based and faith inspired stories in the U.S. is exciting, this powerful genre can and should have a life far beyond just the U.S. market.  The international market for faith based films is relatively untapped and full of potential.  As we have traveled the world, especially Asia, we have seen the strong demand for such content amongst Christians abroad, and we believe the next generation faith films should be designed to engage all of those audiences worldwide,” said Dan Mark, Producer and Principal of King Street Pictures. “We believe our modern, edgy retelling of this classic story with a diverse international cast is going to pioneer new markets for faith based content abroad and will capture the imagination of audiences worldwide, especially in Asia.  So we are incredibly honored and blessed to have the esteemed In Pyo Cha in our cast and as our Executive Producer.  We couldn’t have asked for a better creative partner to see this vision come to life on screen.”   

Director Matt Bilen, Director of Photography Chris Ellison and Actor Patrick Thompson as Vangel (left to right).  Photo Credit: Robert Ryu                                

Pilgrim’s Progress has been translated in 200 languages in last 3 centuries, making it the second most read faith book after the Bible.

Film Synopsis: King Street Pictures proudly presents an epic new fantasy adventure film inspired by the world of John Bunyan’s classic tale “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”  In a war between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Eos, a regal man named Vangel is thrust on a journey against his will when he is suddenly and mysteriously arrested.  Brought before the Southern King and sentenced to death, Vangel escapes a chain gang and flees for the North. Armed with a book called the Record of the Ancients that he receives from a wise sage, Vangel embarks on an adventure that takes him through haunted forests, dark swamps, and enchanted mountains while being hunted all the while by the Southern King’s men in hot pursuit.  Along the way, mysterious travel companions with special giftings arise and assist him on the journey, sharing about a fabled good king and pushing him onwards towards the Wicket Gate, the gateway to the North, while enemies lurk at every corner trying to derail him from his path.

   Actor Patrick Thompson as Vangel.  Photo Credit: Robert Ryu                                

About King Street Pictures, LLC

King Street Pictures, LLC develops and produces faith-based and faith-inspired genre films of uncompromising artistry, sensibility and craft.  Founded in 2016 by producers Dan Mark (“Snakehead” and “Fiction and Other Realities”) and Rachel Tan (“Always”), King Street Pictures was founded with the idea that faith audiences are not monolithic and that they, like everyone else, enjoy films of all genres, whether fantasy, romance, sci-fi, action or adventure.  Noting the absence of such genres from the faith and inspirational marketplace, King Street Pictures mission is to produce faith-based and faith-inspired genre films to create immersive worlds, tell modern parables for today, and redefine what it is to be a faith based film. Founded by veterans of the entertainment industry with major studio backgrounds and deep ties to Asia, King Street Pictures also seeks to pioneer a shift towards global storytelling and diverse casts in the so far untapped international markets for faith based content.

Teaser Trailer for "Fiction and Other Realities" Released

The teaser trailer for U.S. / South Korea co-production film "Fiction and Other Realities" has been released.  The film stars Bobby Choy, whose last feature "Ktown Cowboys" premiered at the 2015 South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) and was released theatrically by Freestyle Releasing, Korean film and drama star 임화영 Lim Hwa-Young, who was featured in popular Korean dramas "Signal" (tvN 2016) and "Yong-Pal" (SBS 2015), and 황현성 Hwang Hyun-Seong, who is best known as the drummer of popular Korean punk band No Brain.  The film is also produced by Sejin Park, producer of the Viki Original Drama Series "Dramaworld" featuring Justin Chon.  Steve Lee and Bobby Choy co-direct the film, which features the original music of multiple-time South by Southwest (SXSW) Musical Showcase artist Big Phony.  King Street Pictures Principal Dan Mark is Co-Producing.

Epic Behind the Scenes Video of "Snakehead"

"Snakehead" stars Sung Kang (Fast and the Furious series) and Shuya Chang (Revenge of the Green Dragons, Crouching Tiger 2).

Written and directed by Sundance alum Evan Jackson Leong (Linsanity).

King Street Pictures principal Dan Mark is producing alongside Brian Yang (Hawaii Five-O, The Man With the Iron Fists, Saving Face).  

Follow the progress of Snakehead on Instagram and Facebook.