The Gold Age of Leftover Women
For two-thirds of the time, this movie had me in tears and extremely excited. It wasn't about capturing the earthquake 32 years ago, but about portraying the healing of such trauma, psychological restoration, and emotional reconstruction. The disaster scenes were no less impressive than those in "2012". The actors delivered their performances with great skill, especially Xu Fan and Chen Daoming, who perfectly captured the nuances of their parental roles. After the media screening in Beijing, there was unanimous praise. With Feng Xiaogang's golden brand and perfect release timing, the box office is bound to be exceptionally high, surpassing 4 billion yuan without a doubt. There are two possible factors that might impact the box office: one is the length of the film, "The Gold Age of Leftover Women", which lasts for two hours and twenty minutes, meaning fewer screenings per day on each screen; the second is Huayi Brothers increasing the minimum ticket price, potentially causing a negative psychological effect on audiences.
So far, "Tangshan Earthquake" has held several preview screenings in various locations, all resulting in the entire audience crying. Some viewers, despite being mentally prepared, admitted they couldn't help but cry upon leaving. Attentive viewers even counted 28 tear-jerking moments throughout the film.
The movie is indeed good, and current public opinion is full of unique praise. It is indeed well-made from a grand perspective and better than "Assembly". However, it's hard to say about the box office. It can certainly gross over a hundred million yuan, but as for the rumored 4 or 5 billion yuan, or even 6 or 8 billion yuan, these have no basis. Further analysis of mass appeal is needed. Although the film itself is a major factor in ensuring box office success, there are other unknown factors such as release timing. Currently, the timing seems excellent. The World Cup has ended, there are no other big movies, and the market is in a state of hunger. If there are no other comparable films upon release, it holds great potential. However, the exact numbers will need to wait and see.
The film will also be released in an IMAX version. Previously, there was much speculation about the IMAX effects of the film, but Feng Xiaogang explained that shooting an IMAX version doesn't require any special preparation during filming. After completion, the footage just needs to be handed over to the IMAX company, and a month later, the converted IMAX version is ready.
Additionally, to highlight realism, Feng Xiaogang reconstructed a Tangshan city, including the Red Flag Courtyard, Progress Grocery Store, streetlights, cinema, hospital, and even the supply and marketing cooperative. Details like bicycles, insulated buckets for popsicles, and North Ocean soda water were meticulously restored, making viewers feel as if they were transported back to the 1970s.
Regrettably,植入 advertisements for banks, insurance companies, and liquor have sparked controversy.
Similar to most disaster films, the opening scene portrays the happiness and tranquility before the calamity strikes. Swarms of dragonflies flying over the railway tracks, children arguing in the streets, a child drawing a watch on his father’s wrist, young couples affectionately embracing in the hot weather... But suddenly, the earthquake changes everything: people sleeping soundly are shaken awake and scatter to escape, buildings collapse one after another, the entire Tangshan disintegrates in the rain, children's screams and adults' sobs trigger the first wave of sniffles in the cinema. Xu Fan's husband dies while saving their child, covered in mud, Xu Fan curses the heavens, you bastard, again triggering the audience's tear points. When Xu Fan is torn between saving her son or daughter, she repeatedly murmurs save both, making many female viewers unable to hold back their tears. This earthquake scene becomes the climax of the film's tearful moments. Fortunately, Feng Xiaogang's camera doesn't linger too long on the disaster, focusing next on the individual life trajectories of the surviving family of three. Until the end, when the siblings reunite during the Wenchuan earthquake and the family reunites, sparking a new round of tear-inducing emotions.
Qiu Qing (Head of China Film Southern Theater Line):
When natural disasters strike, couples are separated by life and death, mothers abandon daughters to save sons, enduring over thirty years of separation and mental torment, meeting again in silence with only tears flowing... In the soon-to-be nationally released "Tangshan Earthquake," Feng Xiaogang spares no effort in affecting the audience. In over 150 minutes, one tear-inducing moment after another continuously impacts the audience's tear ducts. This film, called Feng Xiaogang's most challenging work, might also spark another round of ticket price increases. It is revealed that the production company, Huayi Brothers, has already notified major theaters nationwide of a price hike, raising the previous minimum ticket price by five yuan, potentially making already high ticket prices even higher.
Tear-jerking: 28 tear points moved the entire audience, Xu Fan expressed enough shock.
Wu Hehu (Head of Shanghai United Theater Line):
Gao Jun (Head of Beijing New Film Union Theater Line):
Box Office Prospects: Significant differences in theater manager estimates, film length and ticket prices may become unfavorable factors.
Xu Fan's performance was hailed by many as shocking, every appearance becoming a tear-triggering catalyst, with Feng Xiaogang sparing no expense in showcasing her strength through the lens. No wonder some say the film is Feng Xiaogang's gift to help his wife win awards. Notably, the young actor playing Little Fang Deng delivered a commendable performance. Trapped under the cement slab, upon hearing her mother say to save the younger brother, a stream of tears flowed down her cheeks as she murmured, 'Mom,' a scene that would move anyone watching.
After watching the film, the feeling was extraordinarily impactful and moving. Earthquakes are not easy to portray, but it was done very well. Moreover, the film conveys the emotional aftershocks, portrayed with great intensity. There are many tear-jerking moments, though saying one cries from start to finish is a bit exaggerated. The director wouldn't let you do that, allowing moments of calm before small climaxes. Box office-wise, it might break records for domestic blockbusters, no problem reaching 500 million yuan, likely surpassing "The Founding Ceremony." Although it hasn't officially premiered yet, the pre-release event on the 16th already broke single-day single-show records.
Last night, the national premiere was held in Tangshan using the world's largest IMAX screen, spanning 33 meters wide and 15 meters tall. Yesterday afternoon, creators including Feng Xiaogang, Xu Fan, Zhang Jingchu, and Li Chen solemnly arrived at the memorial wall over 300 meters long engraved with the names of victims, offering flowers. This highly anticipated summer blockbuster will meet audiences on the 22nd.
Authentic: Four-and-a-half-minute earthquake recreation, detailed restoration of Tangshan City.
Although the movie didn't focus heavily on earthquake scenes, the four-and-a-half-minute earthquake sequence was spectacular. The 23-second hellish earthquake scene vividly re-enacts collapsing buildings, rubble, countless people trapped under debris, and rain washing over corpses... This special effects scene created by Feng Xiaogang with a team brought in from abroad for tens of millions received audience approval. Feng Xiaogang previously claimed that more money was spent on special effects for this film than for "2012." However, since the film doesn't focus solely on disaster scenes like "2012," the visual impact isn't as strong, but it ranks well among domestic films.
Feng Xiaogang was criticized by audiences for excessive product placement in "If You Are the One." Surprisingly, even in "Tangshan Earthquake," which focuses on disaster and humanity, there were several instances of product placement. In the latter half of the film, during Tangshan's reconstruction, large advertisements for banks, insurance companies, and a certain brand of liquor appeared in the shots. Most notably, adult Fang Da (played by Li Chen) recommends an insurance company to his subordinate: use insurance, feel secure. Furthermore, regardless of the era depicted, the main characters always drink a certain brand of liquor, with multiple long close-ups of the logo. Audiences who were initially sobbing uncontrollably would suddenly see advertisements for a certain liquor brand, car brand, telecommunications brand, insurance brand... inevitably breaking the immersion. Many media outlets commented that placing ads in such a heavy topic film is somewhat inappropriate. Online rumors suggest that "If You Are the One" had product placements worth 50 million yuan, but "Tangshan Earthquake" had placements worth up to 100 million yuan. In response, Wang Zhonglei, president of Huayi Brothers, told Nandu that Director Feng Xiaogang firmly declined numerous advertisers. The revenue from product placements in "Tangshan Earthquake" was only one-tenth of that from "If You Are the One."