Chinese comedy superstar Huang Bo (“Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons”) makes a good first stab at directing with “The Island,” an entertaining if overlong dramedy about company workers splitting into rival factions after being shipwrecked on a desert island. This mix of broad humor, survivalist drama and romance opens brightly and ends with a bang but stutters a little in the middle. Huang’s name and a cast including box-office draws Shu Qi and Wang Baoqiang should ensure strong domestic business, while the universally accessible “Lord of the Flies”-like premise ought to help attract audiences in offshore markets. “The Island” opens in China, North America, and several other international territories on Aug. 10.
Huang, who collaborated on the screenplay with no less than six writers, also plays the central role of Ma Jin, a debt-ridden, middle-aged loser. Along with goofy best buddy Xing (Zhang Yixin), Ma is obliged...
Huang, who collaborated on the screenplay with no less than six writers, also plays the central role of Ma Jin, a debt-ridden, middle-aged loser. Along with goofy best buddy Xing (Zhang Yixin), Ma is obliged...
- 8/10/2018
- by Richard Kuipers
- Variety Film + TV
Shanghai -- Harvey Weinstein drew tough criticism at the Shanghai International Film Festival forum on Sunday from popular Chinese director Feng Xiaogang, who accused him of promising financial backing then backing away.
"Harvey is a cheater in the eyes of many Chinese moviemakers," said Feng, whose credits in the region include "Dream Factory" and "If You Are the One." The director, whose films are not as well known in the West, did not offer any specific charges.
Weinstein didn't exactly invite goodwill at the discussion by making a brief appearance there himself, only to leave abruptly, shake Feng's hand and excuse himself to catch a plane.
"Let me talk about Harvey, now that he's gone," Feng teased the crowd of a few hundred, mostly-Chinese industry observers gathered at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The attack, in absentia, proved lively and finally led to a broader discussion of Sino-Hollywood cooperation, hitting issues...
"Harvey is a cheater in the eyes of many Chinese moviemakers," said Feng, whose credits in the region include "Dream Factory" and "If You Are the One." The director, whose films are not as well known in the West, did not offer any specific charges.
Weinstein didn't exactly invite goodwill at the discussion by making a brief appearance there himself, only to leave abruptly, shake Feng's hand and excuse himself to catch a plane.
"Let me talk about Harvey, now that he's gone," Feng teased the crowd of a few hundred, mostly-Chinese industry observers gathered at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The attack, in absentia, proved lively and finally led to a broader discussion of Sino-Hollywood cooperation, hitting issues...
- 6/13/2010
- by By Jonathan Landreth
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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