Celestial Pictures is an entertainment-based company focused on Asian-language film and content, encompassing production's, aggregation, distribution, and TV channels. It is headquartered in Hong Kong and owned by Astro Overseas Limited.
Celestial Pictures owns the Shaw Brothers Film Library, which is one of the world's largest collections of Chinese film. The library comprises over 760 feature films, including The Five Venoms, Hex, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, One-Armed Swordsman, King Boxer, and The Flying Guillotine. These films have been digitally restored for global distribution.
History
The company purchased the Shaw Brothers film library in 2000 when it was then called "East Asia Filmed Entertainment Ltd" and owned by the Malaysian media group Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd. Astro Holdings were in turn controlled by Usaha Tegas Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian investment holding company.
In 2001, under the Chinese name , the company produced two films: Comic King () and Stowaway (). It took up the current Chinese name in 2002.
Celestial's television channel operations include Celestial Movies, Celestial Classic Movies, and WATA, a Chinese infotainment channel. Additionally, Shaw Bros. movies distributed by Celestial are shown in America on El Rey Network as part of its "Flying Five Finger One Armed Eight Pole Shaolin Exploding Death Touch Tuesdays" block.
References
- All The Content (2008), All The Content, Celestial Pictures to offer Mobile Content in Europe Inks Agreement with AllTheContent to Distribute Kung Fu Clips, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.allthecontent.com/news/celestial-pictures-to-offer-mobile-content-in-europe-inks-agreement-with-allthecontent-to-distribute-kung-fu-clips.html
- Hong Kong Cinema (2009), Hong Kong Cinema - Shaw Brothers News - Celestial, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.hkcinema.co.uk/Articles/shawbronewsq12002.html
- Information Services Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Celestial Pictures Limited donates film library to HK Film Archive (with photos), retrieved June 17, 2009, http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200904/30/P200904300175.htm
- Mark Pollard, Kung Fu Cinema (2009), Celestial Pictures: Kung Fu Cinema, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.kungfucinema.com/tag/celestial-pictures
- Mark Pollard, Kung Fu Cinema (2009), Celestial Pictures: Kung Fu Cinema, Celestial donates Shaw library to HK Film Archive, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.kungfucinema.com/celestial-donates-shaw-library-to-hk-film-archive-6972
- Mark Pollard, Kung Fu Cinema (2009), Celestial Pictures: Kung Fu Cinema, Shaw films leave U.S. and head to Russia, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.kungfucinema.com/shaw-films-pack-up-in-us-and-head-to-russia-4361
- Screen International (2007), Screen International, Celestial Pictures launches kung-fu mobile TV channel, retrieved on June 17, 2009, http://www.screendaily.com/celestial-pictures-launches-kung-fu-mobile-tv-channel/4033356.article
External links