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Black Whirlwind

Jud Willmont | Nicholas Z.Scott | 2023 | China | 85 mins | Sci-fi, Action, Adventure
Jud Willmont、Nicholas Z. Scott、Ye Jinfeng、Jeff Weil、Dalton Lai、Tang Zhenfei、Mike Hough、Mi Chengyue、Pang Jiayu

Synopsis

Two superhero fanatics, LEAD, 18, and SIDEKICK, 18, find a real Shanghai superhero, THE BLACK WHIRLWIND, but he’s injured and being hunted. He gives them his high-tech suit and tells them to save his family.

Lead puts on the high-tech suit and discovers it allows him to teleport through any darkened object, including walls. The two fans find the VILLAIN, 30s, and try to rescue the Black Whirlwind’s family in a parking garage, but the Villain is too prepared. Lead is seriously injured in the escape and tells Sidekick it’s his turn to be the hero.

Sidekick puts on the high-tech suit and attacks the Villain in his compound. Sidekick and Lead save the Black Whirlwind’s family, but Sidekick is forced to kill in the process. Lead wants to turn himself in and give the high-tech suit to the authorities, but Sidekick refuses to give up his newfound power. The two best friends turn on each other and fight for control of the suit.



Director's statement

Superheroes have become the modern-day myths, dominating comics, TV, and films. Initially, they portrayed the strong protecting the weak. But as the superhero genre evolved, creators began exploring the negative effects of superpowers on individuals and society.

Our film uses superpowers as a metaphor, examining the essence of responsibility in today’s world. Marvel and DC superheroes, driven by personal will, often overlook the consequences of their actions. This movie combines action, comedy, and entertainment while telling a story grounded in reality, where characters face the repercussions of their choices.



吴剑

Jud Willmont

Fluent in Mandarin with a strong working knowledge of Chinese culture, Jud Willmont has over 20 years of experience in the Chinese film industry. Initially working as a producer/director for international production companies, he later founded Willmountain Films to be the umbrella company for both his commercial and independent work. Willmont has produced and directed numerous TVCs for brands such as Coca-Cola, Cadillac, Nike, L’Oréal, Budweiser, Huawei and many more. He produced and directed two feature-length documentaries, DOWN: INDIE ROCK IN THE PRC, and RETURN TO THE MOUNTAIN: A TAIJI JOURNEY, as well as a 20 episode drama series for CCTV titled THE INFORMANT.

张尼克

Nicholas Z.Scott

Nicholas Z. Scott teaches screenwriting at NYU Shanghai and the Shanghai Vancouver Film School. He previously taught film, screenwriting, and television writing at the University of Michigan – Shanghai Jiao Tong Joint institute. His first commissioned screenplay for the Chinese market, THE ORGAN DONOR is in preproduction at Black+Cameron, and his second commissioned screenplay for the Chinese Market, MASTERS OF WINE is currently in preproduction at Group Eight Media. Scott has written narrative content for brands such as Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Jim Beam, and his independent short films have won awards at both the Shanghai 48-Hour Film Project and the Shanghai International Short Film Contest.