- Confucius (2010 film)
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Confucius 
Traditional 孔子 Simplified 孔子 Mandarin Kǒng Zǐ Cantonese Hung2 Zi2 Directed by Hu Mei Produced by Han Sanping
Hu MeiWritten by Chan Khan
He Yanjiang
Jiang Qitao
Hu MeiStarring Chow Yun-fat
Zhou Xun
Chen Jianbin
Ren Quan
Lu Yi
Yao LuMusic by Zhao Jiping Cinematography Peter Pau Editing by Zhan Haihong Studio Dadi Century (Beijing)
China Film GroupDistributed by China Film Group (China) Release date(s) 28 January 2010[1] Running time 115 minutes Country China Language Mandarin Budget US$22 million[2] Gross revenue US$18.6 million[3][4] Confucius (Chinese: 孔子) is a 2010 Chinese biographical drama film written, produced and directed by Hu Mei, starring Chow Yun-fat as the titular Chinese philosopher.
Production on the film began in March 2009 with shooting on location in China's Hebei province and in Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang.[5]
The film was scheduled to screen later in 2009 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as well as the 2,560th birthday of Confucius himself.[5] However, the release date was later moved to January 2010.
Contents
Cast
- Chow Yun-fat as Confucius
- Zhou Xun as Nanzi
- Chen Jianbin as Ji Sunsi
- Ren Quan as Yan Hui
- Lu Yi as Ji Sunfei
- Yao Lu as Duke Ding of Lu
Awards and nominations
30th Hong Kong Film Awards
- Nominated – Best Actor (Yun-fat Chow)
- Nominated – Best Cinematography (Peter Pow)
- Nominated – Best Art Direction
- Nomianted – Best Costume Design
- Nominated – Best Original Song (Faye Wong)
Synopsis
The film begins with Confucius as an old man, thinking back. Then we see him in his early 50s, being promoted from Major to Minister for Law in his home state of Lu. He is confronted with ethical issues after saving a slave-boy who was due to be buried alive with his former master who has just died. There is a lot of complex politics and war, ending with Confucius being rejected and becoming a wandering scholar. After many hardships and losses, he is invited back as an old man. We see him finally preparing the Spring and Autumn Annals, expecting that this book will determine his future influence.
Theme music
Faye Wong sang the theme song for the film. Her "soothing and ethereal voice" was considered appropriate for the lofty spirit of the song, "Orchid Parade" (Chinese: 幽兰操; pinyin: You Lan Cao), which is based on an ancient work by Han Yu. Wong, a Buddhist, stated that she recorded the song "for Confucius" as his writings still provide the answers to modern questions.[6]
Controversies
Choice of actors
After the project was announced, the reaction in China was decidedly mixed. As the film is made in Mandarin, many have expressed concern that Chow, a native of the Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong SAR, will lack the requisite Mandarin-speaking skills to portray the revered philosopher.[7] Others were concerned that Chow, a veteran of action and Kung Fu-cinema, would turn Confucius into a "kung-fu hero." Such concerns were only exacerbated after mainland star Pu Cunxin criticized Hu Mei's script as containing inappropriate levels of action and romance for a film based on Confucius' life.[8]
In his review of the movie, Perry Lam of Muse has criticized Chow for being 'the least likely actor to play the title role.'[9]
Kong Jian lawsuit
In December 2009, more controversy arose when a claimed-direct descendent of Confucius brought suit against the film-makers. After seeing the film's trailer, the descendent, Kong Jian, sought to have several scenes deleted from the release of the film and objecting to the intimations that Confucius was romantically attracted to the concubine, Nanzi.[10]
Screening
During the film's launch in China, the Hollywood blockbuster Avatar is reportedly being pulled from nearly 1,600 2-D screens across China, to benefit the wide release of this film.[11] Instead, Avatar will continue to be shown on the fewer, but more popular 900 3-D screens throughout China, which has generated over 64% of the film's total ticket sales in China.[11][12] The Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily speculates that the Chinese authorities were worried Avatar had seized the market share from domestic films and noted that many of the vacant cinema slots will be replaced by Confucius,[13] and the film would be "drawing unwanted attention to the sensitive issue" concerning forced evictions of Chinese homes.[12] However, China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television responded by stating it was a "commercial decision", and because the "box office performance of the 2D version has not been great."[14] However, due to low attendance for Confucius, and high demand for Avatar, the Chinese government reversed their decision, and allowed Avatar to remain on some 2-D screens in China. This choice appeared to be at least partly based on the financial performance of the two films, with Avatar grossing nearly 2.5 times more money per day.[15]
See also
- List of historical drama films of Asia
References
- ^ "Confucius Teaser Trailer and Making-of". http://www.wu-jing.org/happenings/archives/747-Confucius-Teaser-Trailer-and-Making-of.html. Retrieved 2009-12-26.
- ^ The Internet Movie Database
- ^ (Chinese) 2010 Yearly Box Office Ranking for Mainland China
- ^ Total Gross for "Confucius" Worldwide (excluding Mainland China)
- ^ a b Coonan, Clifford (2009-03-16). "Chow Yun-fat signs on as Confucius". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001264.html. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ^ "Faye Wong returns for film Confucius". China Central Television. China.org.cn. 2010-01-08. http://www.china.org.cn/video/2010-01/08/content_19203200.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
- ^ China Radio International (2009-03-05). "Chow Yun-fat seeks to play Confucius". China Daily. http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/showbiz/2009-03/05/content_7539548.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ^ Xie Xizhang (2009-03-31). "Can Chow play Confucius?". The Straits Times. http://www.straitstimes.com/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=7652884a4c650210VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e361758920e39010VgnVCM1000000a35010aRCRD. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ^ Lam, Perry (2 2010). "He's not there". Muse Magazine (37): 95.
- ^ "Confucius in Court". Global Times. 2009-12-14. http://life.globaltimes.cn/entertainment/2009-12/491741.html. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
- ^ a b Lafraniere, Sharon (2010-01-20). "China Curtails Run of ‘Avatar’ as It Fills Theaters". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/world/asia/20china.html. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ a b "'Avatar' pulled from 2-D screens by Chinese government". Los Angeles Times. 18 January 2010. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/01/avatar-pulled-from-2d-screens-by-chinese-government.html.
- ^ Avatar banned by Chinese sensors because plot 'could cause civil unrest', Irish Independent, accessed 01/19/2010
- ^ "China Says Not Forcing "Avatar" off the Screens". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wirestory?id=9607989&page=1.
- ^ Lafraniere, Sharon (29 January 2010). "China’s Zeal for ‘Avatar’ Crowds Out ‘Confucius’". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/30/business/global/30avatar.html?partner=rss&emc=rss. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
External links
- Official website (Chinese)
- Confucius at the Internet Movie Database
- Confucius at the Chinese Movie Database
Categories:- 2010 films
- Chinese films
- Mandarin-language films
- Biographical films
- 2010s drama films
- Confucius
- Films set in the Zhou Dynasty
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