To Be a Banquet or To Be a Dinner

Chinese film director Feng Xiaogang has been responsible for a string of hits. But he is scarcely known outside China and has placed his hopes in the his latest release "The Banquet" to win over international audiences.

But it seems that even with Zhang Ziyi, of "Memoirs of a Geisha" fame, as its star, China's newest blockbuster has not wowed critics at home.

The film had its international premiere at Venice last week but, there again, the praise was muted according to this local media report. Not Chinese enough, seemed to be the verdict of the tale based on "Hamlet". Mr Feng has never hidden that he hoped to win over the West with the style of Chinese costume drama that has proved a hit with such movies as "Raise the Red Lantern" or "House of FLying Daggers."

But he may have lost home audiences as well if this report of the Chinese premier is anything to go by.

The film opens in cinemas across China on Thursday, but already the word is out that this may not be Mr Feng's finest work. On the street, "The Banquet" has already been dubbed "The Dinner".

Mr Feng was not amused. After the premiere he rounded on reporters and critics saying: "The media is losing its credibility by making negative comments." A selection of international reviews is to be found on this website.

He is a hugely popular filmmaker in China, probably the second-biggest moneyspinner after veteran director Zhang Yimou, who first made his name with films like "Red Sorghum" and "Judou" that charmed international audiences and only later won over China. Mr Feng's career has been in the opposite direction.His comedies, particularly "A World Without Thieves", have won national acclaim and popularity.

But while "The Banquet", which also stars one of the most popular comedy actors in China in his first serious role, may not prove to be a hit with the critics, another Chinese film won the Golden Lion for Best Film at the 63rd Venice Film Festival at the weekend.

"Still Life" was a surprise winner with its tale of the ordinary life of people disrupted by construction of the massive Three Gorges Dam across the Yangtze river that forced more than a million people to move to make way for the huge reservoir. The young filmmaker, Jia Zhangke, also seems to have run into some mixed reviews for his focus on gritty rural life in China.

He has fared better than another young director, Lou Ye.

Last week, China banned young Mr Lou for five years after he took his latest creation, "Summer Palace", to Cannes without first gaining the approval of the State Administration for Radio, Film and Television. It's his second ban. He was stopped from directing for two years after he took his film "Suzhou River" to Rotterdam without first gaining without official approval. This is an interesting interview with Mr Lou by my colleague at The Guardian in Beijing.

It's no easy life making films in China with the censors always peering over the shoulder I should imagine.

Fortunately, state-run news agency Xinhua rarely censors photos of ravishing young stars. So here's one they have of Zhang Ziyi to close with.

Comments

[mike]

well, what's the verdict? is it a good film or not?

Feng appears to be adopting the Chen Kaige school of thought by blaming the critics when they don't accept the latest product of his overblown ego. Feng has in the past blamed his lack of success in the west on foreigners being resistant to Chinese culture and humour. What will his excuses be now that Chinese audiences have turned their noses up at his latest film?

I have been continually disappointed with mainland Chinese cinema in recent years. even big award winners like Peacock turn out to be self absorbed tripe. I look forward to Jia Zhangke's new film. Have seen a few of his earlier efforts (Pickpocket, Platform) and although they are very amateur and sleep-inducingly slow, they have promise.

this blog called "To Be a Banquet or To Be a Dinner", make me ponder,it is true, Chinese film is looking like grand dinner,but whom provide food,must have someone whom should charged, personal investor,of course it is impossible,win money is principle of business forever, as every Chinese knew any type investor could find the shadow of goverment,or China bank provide guarantee, however, just from the invest aspect,engage film invest is failure, but whom can stand long time money lose like black hole, this investor must not care the money lose, perhaps just be care something they are eager.

it is perplexed me long time,China film, with economy raise,looking more develop, more and more our directors get the big award at international, unlucky less and less audiance going to ciname, why ? whom support it, even don't mind any money lose like water flow.

Why goverment,even lose lot of money, still insist satisfy their overblown amour-perpre,conceit, pls do not forget, hundred and thousand Chinese no enough food, clear water.

When Chinese can grow up enough, rational style living in this world.