The Dragon Pearl
| The Dragon Pearl | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mario Andreacchio |
| Produced by |
Liu Zhi Jiang Mario Andreacchio Mark Patterson Shan Tam Pauline Chan William W. Wilson III |
| Screenplay by | Philip Dalkin |
| Story by |
Ron Saunders John Armstrong Mario Andreacchio |
| Starring |
Sam Neill Wang Ji Robert Mammone Jordan Chan Li Lin Jin Louis Corbett |
| Music by | Frank Strangio |
| Edited by | Suresh Ayyar |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country |
Australia China |
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.[1]
Plot
When teenagers Josh (Louis Corbett) and Ling (Li Lin Jin) join their respective parents, Chris (Sam Neill) 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.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1]
Cast
- Sam Neill as Chris Chase, a renowned archeologist who has been invited to participate on a special archeological dig site in China.[1]
- 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).[1]
- Jordan Chan as Wu Dong, a quirky keeper of an ancient temple that has inherited his responsibilities from his family.[1]
- Robert Mammone as Philip Dukas.[1]
- Li Lin Jin as Ling the daughter of the lead scientist on the excavation Dr Li (Wang Ji).[1]
- 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.[1]
Chinese dragons
Western dragons are creatures that breathe fire, . 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 elusive pearl, the symbol of all power and knowledge.[1]
There are nine 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.[1]
Production summary
Co-production
The Dragon Pearl is the first treaty co-production between Australia 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.[1]
Locations
The film was shot entirely in China at the Hengdian World Studios, 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.[1]