The Dragon Pearl
Encyclopedia
The Dragon Pearl is a 2011 family film
that follows the story of two teenagers who meet in China
to encounter a real live Chinese dragon
, and also discover the mystery behind the whereabouts of his all powerful pearl.
Directed by Mario Andreacchio
, the film stars Wang Ji, Sam Neill
, Robert Mammone
, Jordan Chan
and young stars Li Lin Jin and Louis Corbett. The screenplay was written by Philip Dalkin, based on the original script by John Armstrong, and the story is by Ron Saunders, John Armstrong and Andreacchio.
) and Dr. Li (Wang Ji) on an archaeological dig in China they encounter something trapped beneath a temple beyond their wildest imagination. A real live Chinese dragon. Two thousand years earlier, to defend his kingdom, the dragon lent an emperor his all powerful pearl. Instead of being returned the pearl was buried with the emperor beneath his palace, and helpless without its source of power the dragon has remained entombed ever since. With the Dragon Pearl buried on the excavation site, Josh and Ling implore their parents for help, but met with disbelief the children realize they must find the pearl on their own. However thereʼs one who does believe them: archaeologist Philip Dukas (Robert Mammone
), who wants to seize the pearlʼs awesome power for his own sinister ambitions. The only way to stop him is for Josh and Ling to get to it first and return it to its rightful owner.
There are 9 different Chinese dragons. The Golden Dragon is the most powerful and benevolent. The dragon depicted in the story is the Golden Dragon. There are many graphical depictions of the dragon, with variations according to location and period in history. The challenge was how to depict a “real” looking dragon in a live action movie. Not only how should the dragon “look”, but also how does it “move” and how does it sound. The movie was given official permission by the Chinese government and film authorities to produce a CGI
dragon by Western artists in consultation with Chinese advisors. The dragon was produced by Rising Sun Pictures, whose work spans the major blockbusters like Harry Potter movies, Lord of The Rings and The Green Lantern.
and China
. A Treaty Co-production is where 2 producers from 2 countries, bound by international law, agree to a cultural, creative and financial association to produce a film together. The final production is regarded simultaneously a full Chinese film as well as a full Australian film.
, reputedly the largest studio complex in the world with over 3 million square metres of built sets. Also other locations in and around Hengdian were used. Hengdian is located around 4 hours drive south of Shanghai
in the province of Zhejiang
. All post production was conducted in Adelaide, South Australia. CGI and visual effects were created by two Adelaide based companies, Rising Sun Pictures
and Convergen.
Family film
A family film is a film genre that is designed to appeal to a variety of age groups and, thus, families.In December 2005, Steven Spielberg's 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial came first in a poll of the 100 Greatest Family Films. The genre today generates billions of dollars per annum.Family...
that follows the story of two teenagers who meet in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
to encounter a real live Chinese dragon
Chinese dragon
Chinese dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology and folklore, with mythic counterparts among Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Bhutanese, Western and Turkic dragons. In Chinese art, dragons are typically portrayed as long, scaled, serpentine creatures with four legs...
, and also discover the mystery behind the whereabouts of his all powerful pearl.
Directed by Mario Andreacchio
Mario Andreacchio
Mario Andreacchio is an Australian film producer/director.Born in Leigh Creek, South Australia, Andreacchio graduated from Flinders University with a degree in Psychology , and then was selected to study at the Australian Film & Television School to train as a film director...
, the film stars Wang Ji, Sam Neill
Sam Neill
Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill, DCNZM, OBE is a New Zealand actor. He is well known for his starring role as paleontologist Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III....
, Robert Mammone
Robert Mammone
Robert Mammone is an Australian actor who has many television and film credits.-Filmography:* Sons and Daughters * All the Way * Embassy * The Crossing...
, Jordan Chan
Jordan Chan
Jordan Chan Siu-Chun is a Chinese actor and musician from Hong Kong.Chan got his start by enrolling in the TVB Dancers' Training Class in 1985. Soon after graduation, he joined a few of the studio's troupes that would accompany popular singers during their live performances...
and young stars Li Lin Jin and Louis Corbett. The screenplay was written by Philip Dalkin, based on the original script by John Armstrong, and the story is by Ron Saunders, John Armstrong and Andreacchio.
Plot
When teenagers Josh (Louis Corbett) and Ling (Li Lin Jin) join their respective parents, Chris (Sam NeillSam Neill
Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill, DCNZM, OBE is a New Zealand actor. He is well known for his starring role as paleontologist Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III....
) and Dr. Li (Wang Ji) on an archaeological dig in China they encounter something trapped beneath a temple beyond their wildest imagination. A real live Chinese dragon. Two thousand years earlier, to defend his kingdom, the dragon lent an emperor his all powerful pearl. Instead of being returned the pearl was buried with the emperor beneath his palace, and helpless without its source of power the dragon has remained entombed ever since. With the Dragon Pearl buried on the excavation site, Josh and Ling implore their parents for help, but met with disbelief the children realize they must find the pearl on their own. However thereʼs one who does believe them: archaeologist Philip Dukas (Robert Mammone
Robert Mammone
Robert Mammone is an Australian actor who has many television and film credits.-Filmography:* Sons and Daughters * All the Way * Embassy * The Crossing...
), who wants to seize the pearlʼs awesome power for his own sinister ambitions. The only way to stop him is for Josh and Ling to get to it first and return it to its rightful owner.
Cast
- Sam NeillSam NeillNigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill, DCNZM, OBE is a New Zealand actor. He is well known for his starring role as paleontologist Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III....
as Chris Chase, a renowned archeologist who has been invited to participate on a special archeological dig site in China. - Wang Ji as Dr Li, the lead scientist on the excavation site. Tough but fair, Dr Li takes a no-nonsense approach to her work, but is patient and encouraging of all those around her. This earns her the love of those working at the site and from her own daughter Ling (Li Lin Jin).
- Jordan ChanJordan ChanJordan Chan Siu-Chun is a Chinese actor and musician from Hong Kong.Chan got his start by enrolling in the TVB Dancers' Training Class in 1985. Soon after graduation, he joined a few of the studio's troupes that would accompany popular singers during their live performances...
as Wu Dong, a quirky keeper of an ancient temple that has inherited his responsibilities from his family. - Robert MammoneRobert MammoneRobert Mammone is an Australian actor who has many television and film credits.-Filmography:* Sons and Daughters * All the Way * Embassy * The Crossing...
as Philip Dukas. - Li Lin Jin as Ling the daughter of the lead scientist on the excavation Dr Li (Wang Ji).
- Louis Corbett as Josh Chase, the son of Dr Chris Chase (Sam Neill), who is on vacation in China visiting the archeological excavation site his father is working on.
Chinese dragons
Western dragons are evil creatures that breath fire, live in caves and need to be slaughtered. The Chinese dragon is completely the opposite. Chinese dragons are benevolent creatures, give the emperors their power, and are representative of all the forces of nature. In most presentations of the Chinese dragon, it is shown pursuing the allusive pearl, the symbol of all power and knowledge.There are 9 different Chinese dragons. The Golden Dragon is the most powerful and benevolent. The dragon depicted in the story is the Golden Dragon. There are many graphical depictions of the dragon, with variations according to location and period in history. The challenge was how to depict a “real” looking dragon in a live action movie. Not only how should the dragon “look”, but also how does it “move” and how does it sound. The movie was given official permission by the Chinese government and film authorities to produce a CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
dragon by Western artists in consultation with Chinese advisors. The dragon was produced by Rising Sun Pictures, whose work spans the major blockbusters like Harry Potter movies, Lord of The Rings and The Green Lantern.
Co-production
The Dragon Pearl is the first treaty co-production between AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. A Treaty Co-production is where 2 producers from 2 countries, bound by international law, agree to a cultural, creative and financial association to produce a film together. The final production is regarded simultaneously a full Chinese film as well as a full Australian film.
Locations
The film was shot entirely in China at the Hengdian World StudiosHengdian World Studios
Hengdian World Studios is the largest film studio in the world. It is located in Hengdian, a town in the city of Dongyang in Zhejiang Province. The movie studio is operated by the privately-owned Hengdian Group founded by a farmer turned millionaire Xu Wenrong. Sometimes called "Chinawood", Xu...
, reputedly the largest studio complex in the world with over 3 million square metres of built sets. Also other locations in and around Hengdian were used. Hengdian is located around 4 hours drive south of Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
in the province of Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
. All post production was conducted in Adelaide, South Australia. CGI and visual effects were created by two Adelaide based companies, Rising Sun Pictures
Rising Sun Pictures
Rising Sun Pictures is an Australian-based visual effects company. It was founded in 1995 in Adelaide, South Australia, and is named after the Rising Sun Inn in Kensington.-Credits:...
and Convergen.