Chinese-Australian co-production for seven part detective series
The film adaptation of Chinese author Qiu Xiaolong’s successful Inspector Chen novel series (not to be confused with the Detective Inspector Chen series by Liz Williams) will see Chief Inspector Chen come to life across seven films.
Producers Wieland Schulz-Keil (Neofilm, Berlin), Cordula Paetzel (Schmidt & Paetzel Fernsehfilme, Berlin) and Marian Macgowan (Macgowan Films, Sydney) acquired the rights to all seven novels, written in English and set in Shanghai, and are in negotiations with Chinese distribution, a production house and with international sales agents.
Wieland Schulz-Keil was producer on Children of the Silk Road (2008) and executive producer on The Cat’s Meow (2001). Marian Macgowan produced South Solitary (2010), Blessed (2009) and Two Hands (1999).
The co-production comes on the back of last year’s Australia China Screen Alliance, aimed to facilitate co-productions between the two countries. Other recent Australian-Chinese co-productions include 33 Postcards starring Guy Pearce and directed by Pauline Chan and The Dragon Pearl starring Sam Neill and directed by Mario Andreacchio.
