Cartoonist's cancer fight to hit big screen
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 16, 2015
The final years of a popular young Chinese cartoonist who unsuccessfully battled cancer will inspire a new movie debuting in August.
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Actor Daniel Wu and actress Bai Baihe (R) pose at a press conference for the new film "Go Away Mr. Tumor," based on the life of late cartoonist Xiang Yao, in Beijing on March 15, 2015. [Photo/China.org.cn] |
Xiang Yao, whose online pseudonym is "Bearton" or "Xiong Dun," died on Nov. 16, 2012 after losing her battle with a malignant tumor. She was only 30 years old.
A new film, "Go Away Mr. Tumor," based on her life and comic strip will hit Chinese theaters on Aug. 13, 2015, the film's producers announced in Beijing on Sunday. The film is directed by Han Yan, and stars movie stars Fay Bai (Bai Baihe) and Daniel Wu. China.org.cn learned from sources that the film will cost 30 to 40 million yuan to produce and that Daniel Wu lowered his salary requirements to join the film because his mother also fought cancer.
Xiang, born in Zhejiang Province, created several successful comic books, primarily about teenage love, weight-loss, living the single life and her lifelong idol Michael Jackson. Many of her stories were based on her own life experiences.
She fell seriously ill in August 2011. To kill time during treatment, she decided to chronicle these darkest hours of her life in a lighter and more amusing way, so she created the comic series "F*** Off, Mr. Tumor!" which later became an explosively popular online comic strip. More than one million books of the cartoons were sold, and the series inspired millions of people with its optimism and courage.
Actress Bai Baihe and actor Daniel Wu acknowledged at the press conference that they both were deeply touched by the comic book and Xiang's story.
"'Go Away Mr. Tumor' is not a love story, but it is more lovable than a love story," Bai said.
The director said Xiang was a real hero and real person who once lived to amuse and light up the world. The comedy will eventually be a sad story, but it will make people laugh, cry and feel inspired.
"This comic is basically a record of my life," Xiang once told China.org.cn. "I hope my drawings can entertain people and bring positive energy to me and to others. I am happy and delighted that they can enjoy it."
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