Tragicomedy 'Us and Them' to set new box office records

By Zhang Rui
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, April 25, 2018
Adjust font size:
Rene Liu speaks at the premiere of her directorial debut of "Us and Them" at a theater in Beijing, April 23, 2018. [Photo/China.org.cn]

The new romantic tragicomedy "Us and Them," directed by Taiwan entertainer Rene Liu, is forecast to dominate the Chinese film market during the upcoming May Day holiday, and will likely set new box office records to eventually become the highest-grossing romantic blockbuster.

The film had raked in 55 million yuan (US$8.72 million) in presales by Tuesday, three days ahead of its official release on Apr. 28. This is a record for the romance film genre in China, a number on par with previous action blockbusters such as "The Fate of the Furious" and "Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back."

Box office analysts believe the film will easily pass the 1 billion yuan mark (US$158.64 million). However, its word-of-mouth success and how well it resonates with younger viewers will decide its leg in the future, and whether it can beat the previous highest-grossing Chinese romantic blockbuster "The Ex-File: The Return of the Exes," which made 1.94 billion yuan (US$307.76 million).

Investors can rest easy after Monday's premiere of the film drew laughter, tears and applause from the audience, which included film critics, executives and celebrities such as Huayi Brothers founder Wang Zhonglei, directors Peter Chan, Gu Changwei, Ning Hao and Chen Sicheng, as well as actors Wang Baoqiang and Huang Xiaoming and actress Zhou Xun. 

Before her directorial debut, Liu has been a singer, writer and actress. Her smash love song "Afterward" was believed to have inspired the new movie and has already ignited people's nostalgia throughout the promotion for the film project. 

But Liu said at the premiere that the film title is actually inspired by a song by legendary Taiwan rock band Mayday, and that the story is adapted from a short story she wrote in 2011 entitled "Coming Home, Celebrating the New Year." She said, "I want to tell a story about love and the regrets of two lovers through a decade," adding "I always felt love is beautiful, with so many uncertainties, bitter and sweet."

The star-studded show of support at the premiere also indicated Liu's good relationships with the most famous names in showbiz. To make the film a success, the pop star-turned-director assembled a high-profile team, including actress Zhou Dongyu, actor Jing Boran, veteran director-and-actor Tian Zhuangzhuang, producer Zhang Yibai and award-winning Taiwan cinematographer Mark Lee Ping-Bing. Megastars Carina Lau, Shu Qi and Eddie Peng helped with promotion, while popular acts Hebe Tien, Eason Chan and Mayday recorded three new hit songs for the film.

Actress Zhou Dongyu, veteran actor-director Tian Zhuangzhuang, director Rene Liu, and actor Jing Boran pose for photos at the premiere of Liu's directorial debut "Us and Them," held at a theater in Beijing, April 23, 2018. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Liu has dedicated herself wholly to the project for the past three years and addressed every detail on the film set, even challenging herself and her crew to shoot a scene in a -40 degree Celsius environment. Tian Zhuangzhuang, who plays the role of a father in Liu's film and is a master from China's Fifth Generation directors along with Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, praised Liu as "a rare individual who understands love and emotion at present." He added, "She must have observed how to direct a film for a long time, otherwise she could not have been so good."

But Rene Liu was humble: "I still don't know much of directing expertise, I just want to be devoted from my heart to make a good project. Thanks to my great professional team who listen to my vision. They made it happen."

She added, "I want to make people reflect on themselves in different ways; that's what I most desire. Listen to my song; you will find it's your song. Watch my film; you will also find yourself in it. "

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter