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Movie season kicking into gear
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SUMMER is often called a “golden harvest season” for films, as many new productions are being squeezed into the 2-month holiday and the business is ever flourishing.
During this year’s summer film season, audiences will be offered a more diverse menu of new movies, from light-hearted fare and youth dramas to thought-provoking realistic films and animations. Many of them cater to the whole family.
Guo Ying, marketing manager of Shanghai United Cinema Lines, the city’s largest cinema chain, notes that summer vacation and the Christmas and New Year’s slot are the major screening times of the year because they draw the biggest audiences.
“Ticket sales in summer usually make up 30 to 35 percent of our all-year box-office revenues,” Guo says. “Since it is a holiday for children and students, animated films, fantasies and comedic movies about youth and campus life are among the most popular ones.”
He expects an outstanding performance from two domestic movies — “Old Boy: The Way of the Dragon” and “Tiny Times 3,” both being released this month.
“Old Boy: The Way of the Dragon,” a comedy youth drama, started screening yesterday. It stars the famous Beijing-based Chopstick Brothers — Xiao Yang and Wang Taili.
In 2010, Xiao and Wang rose to overnight fame with the popularity of their heartwarming short video “Old Boy.” The nostalgic video has been viewed tens of millions of times online.
The new film is directed by Xiao, who also writes the script. It revolves around two ordinary men’s hilarious and adventurous dream-seeking journey in New York. The film is expected to evoke people’s reflection on life and their lost passion and courage to pursue their dreams.
On July 17, “Tiny Times 3,” the third installment of the romance drama film series written and directed by post-1980s writer Guo Jingming, will be screened.
Set in Shanghai, the film adapted from Guo’s best-selling novel provides insight into a group of young people’s delicate relationships, friendships and their new pressures from work after college graduation.
Luxury goods will continue to be featured in the film, aimed to appeal to fans who admire such “vanity fair.” The former two installments have generated great controversies. Some are impressed by its perspective on the changing lifestyles and values of youth in China while some critics call it “trash” that glorifies immorality and materialism.
Just one week later, “Tiny Times 3” will probably meet strong competition from popular writer Han Han’s directorial debut, “Continent.” The road movie centers on a driving journey by a group of young people who live on an eastern Chinese island and find new meanings of life.
On July 18, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” a movie based on the 1995 autobiography book of the revered late South African president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, will be released in China.
Directed by Justin Chadwick, the film centers on Mandela’s dramatic and legendary life. Celebrated screenwriter William Nicholson (“Gladiator,” “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”) wrote the movie’s script.
The film was screened during the recent 17th Shanghai International Film Festival, with movie fans were touched by Mandela’s wisdom, devotion and perseverance.
Animated movies are always a highlight of summer. This year cinema fans will see Hollywood production expertise and technology for special effects being combined with Chinese stories and elements.
The 3D animation “The Magic Brush,” a domestic production with technical support from the Walt Disney Co, will hit theaters nationwide on July 25.
Adapted from a fairytale created by Hong Tao in the 1950s, the film tells the story of a boy named Ma Liang who loves painting. One day, he gets a magic brush with which everything he draws becomes real. The brush soon catches the attention of greedy people in the village, bringing new trouble and challenges to the boy.
On July 31, children will be offered another Sino-US 3D animated film, “Dragon Nest,” which is based on a popular online game. The film’s Hollywood producer, Bill Borden, says the film with a stunning story line and visual effects is aimed at a global audience.
The film revolves around a group of young people’s adventure and fight with evil. Its English theme song, “Gem of Love,” was created and sung by Hollywood musician Keely Hawkes.
Kevin Yuan, an accountant in his 30s, says that he and his 11-year-old son are frequent cinema-goers during the summer.
“It is a golden time for movie fans as the summertime silver screen offers a much wider choice,” Yuan says. “My son and I usually choose light-hearted movies to watch, such as comedy flicks and adventure fantasy movies. It is our favorite entertainment despite the scorching summer days.”
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