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A LEFT BANK PICTURES PRODUCTION FOR SKY AND HBO CINEMAX G O I N G Q U I E T LY I S N OT A N O P T I O N

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CONTENTS3 SEASON OVERVIEW4 EPISODIC SYNOPSES (Episodes 1-10) CAST INTERVIEWS: 5 Philip Winchester 6 Sullivan Stapleton 7 Robson Green 8 Michelle Yeoh9 CAST & PRODUCTION CREDITS CAST BIOGRAPHIES 10 Philip Winchester Sullivan Stapleton 11 Robson Green 12 Michelle Lukes Milauna Jemai Jackson 13 Michelle Yeoh

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SEASON OVERVIEWSTRIKE BACK, the high-octane, action-fuelled story of Section 20, an elite Special Forces unit returns to Sky 1 for its fifth and final season on Wednesday 3 June at 9pm.

From the tropical beaches of Thailand to the towering peaks of the Swiss Alps, season five thrusts Section 20 into a mission the scale of which it has never seen before. This year, Scott and Stonebridge must fight against a terrorist group that is threatening the West and a large underground criminal network.

This group is coordinated by a beautiful and devoted agent, Han Li-Na (Michelle Yeoh), who is deeply embedded in the British Establishment. She’s a rogue operative determined to pursue a personal vendetta.

Putting a stop to the threat posed by Li-Na becomes Section 20’s undoing when, in a bid to ease escalating global tensions, Sir Charles Ridley (James Wilby), a senior politician within Whitehall, brokers a deal to eliminate Section 20.

In a heartbreaking and chilling season finale, Scott and Stonebridge – desperate and on the run – are chased down by ruthless mercenaries employed by the one enemy they know they can never beat: their own government.

Seasons one to four are available on demand and Sky customers can enjoy special early previews of season five starting with the first four episodes from 3 June.

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EPISODIC SYNOPSES

EPISODE 1Section 20 returns in an explosive and high-octane season, kicking off in the bustling and intense Thai capital of Bangkok. The mission: rescue the kidnapped daughter of the British Ambassador to Thailand.

EPISODE 2In the aftermath of the bomb at the British Embassy, Section 20 must find out who Ray McQueen is really working for. The team soon discover that they are going up against their deadliest foe ever.

EPISODE 3Section 20 discover that Mei Foster, the Ambassador’s wife, is a North Korean agent (real name Li-Na) and that she is in business with the Yakuza. As the Yakuza launch attacks on Section 20, the team must work out what the Japanese gangsters are doing for Mei before it is too late.

EPISODE 4When the team discover the true nature of the North Korean plans, the mission steps up a gear – they must stop the deal between the Yakuza and Office 39 going ahead. But when the team’s mission collides with that of two private military contractors, things get a lot more complicated.

EPISODE 5Section 20 launches its most dangerous mission ever as Scott and Stonebridge covertly enter North Korea in a bid to find and destroy the vanadium which Li-Na has secured for the regime.

EPISODE 6

Scott and Stonebridge must rescue Finn from the clutches of the North Koreans and find a way to escape the country. Meanwhile, Li-Na risks paying the ultimate price for the failure of her plan.

EPISODE 7

The battle with Li-Na moves to Europe as Section 20 searches out a new way to get back on her trail and Locke gets an unexpected opportunity to confront his nemesis.

EPISODE 8

Section 20 discover that Li-Na is mounting a nuclear attack in Europe while Locke neglects the mission in order to avenge the murder of his son.

EPISODE 9

Although Whitehall has intel to the contrary, Locke is convinced that Li-Na and Kwon are targeting the UN HQ in Geneva. Against direct orders, they make their way there determined to stop her before it’s too late.

EPISODE 10

In the final episode, Scott and Stonebridge are pursued by a group of ruthless mercenaries. Led by Faber and Mason, these soldiers have orders to hunt Scott and Stonebridge down. And kill them.

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How do you think Scott and Stonebridge’s relationship has developed over the series?What’s nice about the writing is that every year we come back something has happened in the off time, they’ve spent time together and helped each other out in their personal relationships. This season is no different. When we started STRIKE BACK, they couldn’t stand each other and now they have learned to really enjoy each other’s company, which is nice to see.

What do you think are the biggest challenges that the team face this season?The loss of some of Section 20…

Do you keep in shape when you’re not filming for the show?I maintain a certain level of stamina and fitness anyway because I’m geared for these types of roles but for Stonebridge I really crank it up. I start training about three months before the show; it’s a mix between off season American football training and military-style training – tactical skills,

weapons drills that sort of thing. During the show, training is about twice a week whereas before the show it’s six days a week.

I hear you have a workout truck?The workout truck… We have a bench press, a pull-up bar and lat pull-down machine and a bunch of weights. Initially when we started we were like ‘yeah we have a workout truck’ and now the novelty’s worn off because if you have 10 minutes to yourself you want have a coffee and learn your lines. They make a point of parking the workout truck outside my trailer as well so it’s a constant reminder. Sully and I will encourage each other to go in there. We’re both subjected to the horrors of the workout truck daily.

What has been your favourite stunt to film and why?The very first explosion we ever did, in the first season, when Captain Kate Marshall died in a van blast. It was exciting because it was our first big stunt and we were really close when that thing went off. Everyone else was 500m away and we were 15m away so that was really thrilling and we just progressed from that. I think we have become foolishly accustomed to that sort of thing. This year I had to jump off of a 50m dam into frigid glacial run-off water. I jumped off the dam and there was an explosion behind us. We were all soaking wet – I remember jumping and everything went white. That was a good stunt – enjoyable because it was a big stunt to do.

What have been your favourite storylines from your time on STRIKE BACK?I thoroughly enjoyed my relationship with Hanson (Shane Taylor) in season three. First of all he’s an incredible actor and it was a brutal, dirty and visceral exploration to go on; losing your pregnant wife and then to have it happen at the hands of a mate of yours. It was great stuff to explore. Add to that the fact we have had so many kick-ass guest

PHILIP WINCHESTER SGT. MICHAEL STONEBRIDGE

stars and everyone who has come in has killed it. It has been a pleasure to sit back on the sidelines a little and watch them nail it. It’s a real privilege and exciting seeing that these people really care about the show.

Where has been your favourite location?I think overall Budapest but Cape Town is amazing. We were also in Slovenia for about four days and that was beautiful.

What are you going to miss most about the show?Besides the stunts – travelling, the amazing scenes and locations, and the family that we have created because it hasn’t just been a one-off. The crew in Budapest is the same crew we started out with so we are a big mad, bonkers family and I’m going to miss them terribly. We’ve gone through so much together, from the travel to the sickness, scripts, location challenges and injuries. Not a lot of people get the opportunity to work that long with the same group of people. It’s like shooting an action movie every day – we shot 40 action movies over four years. There is nothing like it.

“ IT’S LIKE SHOOTING AN ACTION MOVIE EVERY DAY - WE SHOT 40 ACTION MOVIES OVER FOUR YEARS. THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT.”

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What has STRIKE BACK 5 got in store for us?This time around, STRIKE BACK is more serious. Section 20 gets into a bit of trouble…

It’s a shame that it’s the last season but we’ve got some great guests – we get to chase Michelle Yeoh around. I’ve struck up some close friendships with the guest stars but then I have to kill them, which kind of sucks! It’s been an insane journey. We started four years ago and have had exciting and crazy times since then. It’s been our job to jump out of choppers, dive off trains, drive cars that are on fire and all sorts.

How do you think Scott and Stonebridge’s relationship has developed over the series?Over the years Scott and Stonebridge have become good mates, as have Phil and I. They have both come close to death so many times and have had to help each other to survive, which would lead you to strike up a natural closeness. At first they hated each other because they were very different but as the series has gone on they’ve melded together. The cheekiness of Scott works with the straightness of Stonebridge.

Scott has discovered that he has a son. How do you think that’s affected him?

SULLIVAN STAPLETON SGT. DAMIEN SCOTT

It’s been nice to see Scott as a father because it shows he’s not just a tough guy soldier and that he doesn’t have to use his fist and guns for everything. This season we get to see inside his head and his heart, feelings and emotions. I don’t think that’s really been explored before. We get to see the ramifications of him having those feelings in his job.

What have been your favourite scenes to film this season?My favourite scenes to film were when we stole an armoured vehicle and set it on fire. I was driving and had to go head on into some barrels to set it on fire, which was amazing. Straight into the camera shot! There was a crane at the back, two or three cameras and lots of people. I love the stunts, they’re the fun bit. It’s great in this show that we get to explore the dramatic side of what we do. We link the storylines to the stunts, which is the great part of the show.

What are you going to miss about STRIKE BACK?I’ll miss the family of STRIKE BACK the most. And the fact that we play soldiers for a living. It’s fun and yet it’s work and we get to travel the world doing it too.

“ IT’S BEEN OUR JOB TO JUMP OUT OF CHOPPERS, DIVE OFF TRAINS, DRIVE CARS THAT ARE ON FIRE AND ALL SORTS.”

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Tell us a bit about what happens in season fiveIt starts off with me doing a huge favour for one of my best friends Robert Foster, the British Ambassador based in Bangkok. His daughter is kidnapped and he needs Section 20’s help but it isn’t just a simple kidnap story – nothing is what it seems. When there’s no ransom demand, Locke believes there’s something bigger at work and he’s right. They kidnap the daughter so he would do something unimaginable. From the kidnapping this whole story evolves. You thought it couldn’t get any bigger or better or more action packed but it does – I was there!

What’s in store for Locke?He comes across a character who he thinks is the person who murdered his son and therefore he gets to avenge his son’s death. That’s the main drive for Locke.

He has to send the two guys into situations they may not come back from and if they’re captured it would be seen as an act of war on behalf of the British government, who would have to deny that it ever took place. If they were captured, imprisoned or tortured, there would be nothing we

ROBSON GREEN LT. COLONEL PHILIP LOCKE

could do, they’d be on their own. There is a conflict of self that comes to mind for Locke – is it time to get out? Do I really have the backing I thought I had? Am I just another puppet? That runs through his head a lot.

How do you prepare for STRIKE BACK?I prepare for the stunts – especially in Thailand as there are a lot of stunts. I’m quite a good action driver so I’ve got that under my belt as well as the fight sequences and stunts. I’m in the gym with wonderful people like Adam Sheppard, who looks after me physically and makes sure I’ve taken care of myself and am prepared to do what’s asked of me. I know my limits. I can’t do what Sully and Phil do. I can’t go that far. The past two weeks I’ve only trained about five times and I can tell. I’ll ring Adam and we’ll work out a programme. He knows I’m not being trained a lot, he knows to get to that point we have to go through all of this so it’s all body toning now, keeping my body toned up. We’ll do an hour of cardio then body toning. It’s a two-hour session in the morning then a two-hour session in the evening – it is total commitment. It’s the fittest I’ve ever been!

What has been your favourite moment of STRIKE BACK?I think it was the first scene that I did on the show when I knew I was part of it and that I fitted in. I thought – this is going to work, this relationship, the dialogue and how it’s believable that the three of us are a unit. They’re the engine of the show, so to bring me in and allow me to work with these two guys is an absolute joy.

Where has been your favourite location?Krabi (Thailand) was fab. It was beautiful and warm. It was just gorgeous to be out there. Wherever I travel in the world, be it Bolivia, Brazil or anywhere I go, I just love the notion of travel and sampling different cultures. Thai culture is very friendly, vibrant, and colourful, it’s an exciting place

to be. In Krabi, we went diving every day with the guys, looking at the sharks and turtles. It was fabulous.

What will you miss most about STRIKE BACK?Sully, Phil and Michael [J Bassett, writer and executive producer]. That trio, that relationship, it’s really fun to be alongside. I haven’t had that since Soldier Soldier days. The good times with those guys on and off camera. No matter where you go in the world it’s the people who make it, these circumstances allow the relationships to flourish.

What has been your best memory of STRIKE BACK?Last year when I was hanging out the side of an Apache helicopter firing a grenade launcher while explosions were going off with Philip and Sully. I just thought to myself – I’ll never do this again.

“ YOU THOUGHT IT COULDN’T GET ANY BIGGER OR BETTER OR MORE ACTION PACKED BUT IT DOES – I WAS THERE!”

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How did you originally get involved with the show?I had the pleasure of working with [executive producer] Andy Harries on The Lady and he enticed me with a role I had not played before: the antagonist – a very complicated villain who is a very strong, passionate and patriotic woman. It’s an exciting, sexy and dynamic show which is highly charged with exciting action. There are three incredible heroes and two gorgeous women so I thought, why not? I thought it would be an interesting experience for my first time in TV.

What was filming like for you? Most of my scenes are with Robson Green, and I loved every minute of working with him. He is a delight on and off screen. He helped me tremendously when I adapted to this new playground. And the director Michael J Bassett made it intense and exciting at the same time.

I am beginning to wonder if TV is always like this; it’s too much fun! It doesn’t feel like work sometimes but then the drama and action is very intense to film. I really enjoy the storytelling, although it changes week by week, which is something I’m not used to. I’m learning about my character as I go along!

MICHELLE YEOH MEI FOSTER

When I started I didn’t think it would be like the action films we make in the movie world but the sense of quality and expectation from the production team and directors is really high. The standards are set really high with lots of energy. I’m seriously looking forward to seeing it. There’s intrigue, drama and action. It will be interesting to see it all come together.

Tell us about your character.At first you see a very loving family. Mei is a wonderful wife who stands very firmly by her husband and has a step daughter she has embraced as her own. You don’t think for a second that she is going to be such an unexpected character. I would say that this is my first villainous role, if you can call her that. She has a very staunch and strong belief in what she is doing, as all soldiers do. It’s been a very interesting progression and exciting to explore a character like that.

I wanted to make a marked difference between Mei and Li-Na. I love giving the audience that element of huge shock and surprise. With Mei I gave her a higher pitch to be more feminine and then when she turns into Li-Na there is a very clear contrast and the voice does that. Suddenly the eyes are very still and very piercing. When that change happens, you know there was no Mei Foster, this is Li-Na.

What was it like meeting Philip and Sullivan for the first time?I watched all of the previous seasons before filming and saw that it was very intense and the cast are dedicated to their craft, especially Philip. I bet if they took him on a real-life mission, he would be able to carry it through. They’re very much like their characters actually – Sullivan is a lot of fun and they have such an incredible chemistry, emotional connection and bond. You need that; they play very well off each other because of it. It’s just a shame that I’m not on their side!

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CAST CREDITSSgt. Michael Stonebridge PHILIP WINCHESTER

Sgt. Damien Scott SULLIVAN STAPLETON

Lt. Col. Philip Locke ROBSON GREEN

Sgt. Julia Richmond MICHELLE LUKES

DEA SA Kim Martinez MILAUNA JEMAI JACKSON

Mei Foster MICHELLE YEOH

Ray McQueen MAX BEESLEY

Robin Foster TIM McINNERNY

PRODUCTION CREDITSExecutive Producer ANDY HARRIES

Writers MICHAEL J BASSETT, JAMES DORMER, TIM VAUGHAN, JACK LOTHIAN, ED WHITMORE, RICHARD ZAJDLIC

Producers SELWYN ROBERTS, CHRIS THOMPSON

Series Producers MICHAEL CASEY, SHARON HUGHFF

Directors MICHAEL J BASSETT, JULIAN HOLMES, BRENDAN MAHER

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PHILIP WINCHESTER SGT. MICHAEL STONEBRIDGEBorn in the USA, Philip trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. At the age of 14, he landed a role in HBO’s THE PATRIOT. His recent credits include 24 for Sky 1, ENDGAME for NBC, CAMELOT for the Starz Network, Nick Willing’s ALICE for Syfy and NBC’s TV series CRUSOE, in which he starred in the title role. Winchester has also guest starred in episodes of CSI: MIAMI. In 2010, Philip filmed an arc on the hit Fox series, FRINGE, created by JJ Abrams,

He has played Edmund in Lear for the RSC opposite Sir Ian McKellen, which was then later filmed for Channel 4. His other credits include: UNDRAFTED, SOLOMON KANE (directed by STRIKE BACK’s Michael J Bassett), FLYBOYS, THE SINS OF THE FATHER, IN MY SLEEP and BEYOND THE SEA.

It has been confirmed that NBC have ordered Philip’s new TV drama-thriller, THE PLAYER, to series.

SULLIVAN STAPLETON DAMIEN SCOTTSullivan Stapleton is best known for playing the lead role in Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures’ 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE, the second film in Zack Snyder’s 300 franchise. Stapleton starred as Greek general Themistokles, who battled an invading army of Persians. The film was released in 3D and IMAX on March 7, 2014 and made a stunning $340m worldwide. Most recently, Stapleton landed the coveted lead role in the Luc Besson feature THE LAKE, in US cinemas on 15 July 2016. The story follows a group of Navy SEALs attempting to uncover an immense treasure hidden in a lake in war-torn Serbia.

In 2010, Stapleton garnered international recognition for his role as Craig Cody in ANIMAL KINGDOM. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival that year and went on to garner numerous awards and accolades.

Stapleton has been working in the industry for over a decade. Past film credits include the Ruben Fleischer-directed film GANGSTER SQUAD (WB), alongside Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone; KILL ME THREE TIMES; CUT SNAKE; THE HUNTER and DECEMBER BOYS. Past TV credits include regular roles on Australia’s hit shows SATISFACTION and THE SECRET LIFE OF US.

Stapleton was the 2012 Australians in Film Awards’ Breakthrough Actor recipient, at their annual ceremony in Los Angeles.

Spring 2015 saw NBC confirm Sullivan as the star of new US drama, BLINDSPOT. He was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. He splits his time off from filming between Melbourne and Los Angeles.

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Born in Northumberland, Robson Green is one of the best-known faces on British Television.

He has been associated with a number of the most celebrated television dramas of recent times including SOLDIER SOLDIER, RECKLESS, TOUCHING EVIL and WIRE IN THE BLOOD.

Robson decided to abandon his shipbuilding career and began training at the Live Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne, where artistic director, Max Roberts, took him on. He has also worked on a York Cycle of Mystery Plays, plus A NIGHTINGALE SANG with the Northern Stage Company and BANDITS with the Shaw Theatre.

Robson served his time in the theatre before his first television break – as hospital porter Jimmy in the BBC’s highly successful drama CASUALTY for three series. Robson’s other early television credits include: HANDS, starring alongside Tim Healy, VOICES OF WAR and A NIGH ON THE TYNE with Alun Armstrong.

He then landed the role of Private Tucker in SOLDIER SOLDIER and met singing partner Jerome Flynn on the way to work in the taxi. After singing in an episode of SOLDIER SOLDIER, Robson and Jerome began their recording career and to date have achieved three No1s. Their first album ‘Robson and Jerome’ secured the biggest advanced order – 700,000 – of any album or single

of 1995, sold 1.84 million copies and was at No1 for seven weeks.

As his career has developed, Robson has channelled his energies into creating his own production company, Coastal Productions alongside his business partner Sandra Jobling. Coastal co-productions with Granada have included GRAFTERS, RHINOCEROS, THE LAST MUSKETEER, BLIND AMBITION, CLOSE & TRUE and TAKE ME.

Other dramas Robson has starred in include: TRUST, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON, BEATEN, ROCKET MAN, BEING HUMAN, WATERLOO ROAD, JOE MADDISON’S WAR and documentaries PITTMAN PAINTERS, HOW THE NORTH WAS BUILT and TALES OF NORTHUMBERLAND.

In 2008, Robson filmed a hugely successful documentary series EXTREME FISHING for Channel 5, the show is now in its eighth series and is one of the channel’s most highly rated shows. This was Robson’s first stint at presenting. In 2009 Robson presented a two-part series ROBSON GREEN’S WILD SWIMMING ADVENTURE for ITV.

2014 saw Robson shooting a drama for ITV called GRANTCHESTER, which has been commissioned for a second series and will start shooting in the summer of 2015.

ROBSON GREEN LT. COLONEL PHILIP LOCKE

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MICHELLE LUKES SGT. JULIA RICHMONDMichelle Lukes recently appeared in Channel 4’s Derren Brown special HERO AT 30,000 FEET. She is a semi-regular on the BBC TV series DOCTORS. She also played the part of Polly Denver in CASUALTY and was Eva in UNCLE MAX. Her film work includes ALEXANDER, directed by Oliver Stone and NATION, directed by Melly Still.

Michelle has appeared on stage in productions of PITCHING IN, NATION, OTHELLO, ABORTIVE, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE SEAGULL, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM and THE HAUNTED HOUSE.

She is a highly skilled ballroom and ballet dancer.

MILAUNA JEMAI JACKSON KIM MARTINEZEmmy winner Charles Dutton was so impressed with Milauna Jackson that he created a character in his film THE EFFECT just to be able to hire her. Hailing from Chicago in the US, as a performing arts student, she booked her first feature film ONE WEEK and rode the success of the indie all the way to Hollywood.

Milauna worked as a series regular with Spike Lee opposite John Boyega on an HBO pilot called DA BRICK. She can currently be seen in a recurring role opposite David Duchovny in the NBC drama AQUARIUS about a cop who goes undercover to track Charles Manson and the Manson Family before their infamous murder spree. She has also worked alongside Michael C Hall in DEXTER, Anthony Mackie in the upcoming biopic BOLDEN, and Damon Wayans in his sketch comedy show THE UNDERGROUND. These are just a few credits from her burgeoning career in both genres of comedy and drama.

Her philanthropic endeavours include a multitude of community service acts. The one that means the most to her is a mentoring programme, Foundation for Second Chances.

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Michelle Yeoh, an internationally acclaimed actress and producer, has starred in more than 30 films including global hits TOMORROW NEVER DIES, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, SUNSHINE, MUMMY 3, KUNG FU PANDA 2 and most recently the soul-stirring biopic THE LADY. STRIKE BACK is her first TV role.

In 1983, she was crowned Miss Malaysia and soon became Hong Kong’s kung-fu queen, known for performing her own stunts ever since her first action film YES MADAM.

Her acclaimed performance in the period epic CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, directed by Ang Lee, earned her three nominations for Best Actress at the Taipei Golden Horse Awards, the Hong Kong Film Awards and the BAFTA Awards in 2001.

Michelle received CineAsia’s Award of Excellence in Acting for Outstanding Performance as an Actor in 1999 and International Star of the Year at the 2001 ShoWest exhibitor’s convention. In the same year, Michelle was conferred the title of Dato by the Sultan of Perak.

In 2002, Michelle added another feather to her cap by producing and starring in THE TOUCH, a contemporary romantic action adventure. She was then honoured with the Montblanc Arts Patronage

Award in recognition of her achievements and commitment to nurture creative talents. She was also named Producer of the Year by CineAsia and The Outstanding Young Persons of the World by Junior Chamber International.

In 2008, Michelle also teamed up with her long-time friend and mentor, Terence Chang, to establish Stellar Entertainment, an Asian talent management company to nurture creative filmmakers and new talents.

In 2009, Michelle was honoured with the Influential Chinese Award 2008 in recognition of her contribution and achievement to cinema in Beijing. She also received an official tribute from the president of the Cannes Film Festival for her continuous support to French cinema and the Cannes Film Festival.

In the same year, Michelle became the first Jury President for the 3rd Asian Film Awards. In December 2011, Michelle was promoted to Officier de la Legion d’Honneur by the President of the Republic of France for her continuous support and contributions. Michelle will be next seen in a sequel of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, which will be released in August 2015.

Michelle has devoted a significant amount of her time to charitable and social endeavours.

MICHELLE YEOH MEI FOSTER