Introduction

Sky Hunter (original title: Kong tian lie) is a Chinese war film directed by Li Chen. It is Li’s directorial debut.

The film is produced in collaboration with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and is China’s first aerial warfare film.

Outline

The plot centres on an elite group of Chinese soldiers whose mission is to thwart a terrorist plot and to resolve a hostage crisis.

Cast

• Li Chen
• Fan Bingbing
• Wang Qianyuan
• Li Jiahang
• Leon Lee
• Guo Mingyu
• Ye Liu
• Wu Xiubo
• Wang Xueqi
• AJ Donnelly

Production

The film had the full support of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), with it being the first time that a film crew was allowed access to the military bases by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force for shooting. Military experts and trainers serve as advisers for the movie’s script, which is primarily written by air force Lieutenant Colonel Zhang Li.

Filming

The film features various front line combat aircraft, including the Y-20 airlifter, the J-20 stealth fighter, the J-11, the H-6, and the J-10 multirole combat aircraft. Scenes were shot in various parts of China and Kazakhstan.

Casting

Director Li’s then-girlfriend and top Chinese actress Fan Bingbing was cast as the female lead, playing a PLA pilot. Fan reportedly received no wage for her appearance.

Music

The score was composed by Andrew Kawczynski and recorded at Synchron Stage Vienna in Austria. Hans Zimmer served as the executive music producer. Chinese singer and actor Lu Han lent his vocals for the film’s ending theme song “Chasing Dream With Childlike Heart”.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Chen Li
• Producer(s):
  • Jianmin Lv … producer
  • Jiaren Karren Wang … executive producer
• Writer(s):
  • Chen Li
  • Yi Liu
  • Li Zhang
• Music:
  • Andrew Kawczynski
• Cinematography:
  • Danny Chen
• Editor(s):
• Production:
  • Air Force Political Department Television Arts Center
  • Spring Era Films Co.
  • Chunquhi Time Culture Fims
• Distributor(s):
  • AB Droits Audiovisuels (France, 2019)(Blu-ray, DVD)
  • At Entertainment (Japan, 2018)(theatrical)
  • Shaw Organisation (Singapore, 2017)(theatrical)
  • Spring Era Films Co. (World-wide, 2017)(Chunqiu Time Co., theatrical)
  • Buksfilm (Poland, 2024)(VOD, video)
  • Great Movies Distribution (Brazil, 2020)(SVOD, video)
  • Great Movies Distribution (Mexico, 2020)(SVOD, video)
• Release Date: 28 September 2017.
• Running Time: 155 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: China.
• Language: Chinese.

Video Link(s)