Leading entertainment company Arclight Films, led by Chairman Gary Hamilton, announced today the company will handle worldwide distribution rights, excluding China, for the first feature film Heavens: The Boy and His Robot from the upcoming Heavens® franchise – a pioneering, visually mesmerizing multiple platform universe from Golden Horse Award nominee Singaporean director Rich Ho Kok Tai.
Arclight is commencing sales at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.
Currently in post-production, the epic live action sci-fi Heavens: The Boy and His Robot is written, directed, and produced by Rich Ho and is anchored by an emotional relationship between Kai, a struggling young pilot, and his Mecha, a humanoid mobile robot, striving to be part of an elite force to bring about peace in a time of epic galactic warfare that tears his family apart.
Boasting ground breaking visual effects and real‑time technology, including robot technology and 3D animation, the film stars a diverse ensemble cast of actors lead by Jonathan See in the role of Kai, and a supporting cast from around the world including Singapore, New Zealand, Samoa and Niuea.
The Richmanclub Studios and Heavens Entertainment Company film is Executive Produced by Arclight’s Gary Hamilton (Hotel Mumbai, First Reformed), Tan Book Chok, Poh Kiat, Sherman Ng (Storm Boy, Bottom of the 9th), Richard Stewart (Bait, Acolytes), Penny Wall (Frenchman’s Farm, Acolytes) and Grant Bradley (Bait, The Lovers). The film is co-written by Katharine Chong.
“With an uplifting message, Heavens: The Boy and His Robot is the high-concept live action film that we need today. We are thrilled about this project and Rich Ho’s incredible vision to create the Heavens® franchise based on compelling stories with a truly diverse cast and the use of pioneering technology that results in a visually astounding film,” said Hamilton.
Mecha, with its origins in the Japanese anime genre, has become hugely popular and has transcended borders thanks to its depiction in highly successful franchises such as TRANSFORMERS, PACIFIC RIM and REAL STEEL. The term is coined from its depiction of giant robots or machines (mechs) which are controlled by humans. In Heavens: The Boy and His Robot, the genre takes a positive and family friendly turn with Kai and his Mecha driven to join the elite force to protect the galaxy.
The Heavens® universe is designed to be a multi layered, connected and immersive world to be created across multiple media platforms including games, TV and films. This first film is a true international creative partnership. Not only is there a truly diverse cast but the artists creating the Mecha army and visual effects are an international crew from Russia, China, Korea and Australia. Production took place in different locations across New Zealand and Singapore and post-production is underway in Australia with the support of the Australian government’s Post, Digital, and Visual Effects Offset and the State of Queensland.
The distribution deal was negotiated directly by Gary Hamilton on behalf of Arclight Films and producer Rich Ho Kok Tai on behalf of Richmanclub Studios and Heavens Entertainment Company.
21.02.2020 | Berlin's blog
Cat. : FILM