Magazine spreads, photoshoots and cover art that recently caught our eye.
Friday Photos
Chen Kaige, Ning Hao, Xu Zheng, Wen Muyu, Xue Xiaolu, Zhang Yibai, Wen Yan team up for National Day film project
I don’t usually post these type of patriotic films since they’re usually just bad films, but the trailer for this actually looks really good. Me and My Motherland 我的我的祖国, a film celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in October, consists of eight parts separately shot by eight directors, ranging from veterans like Chen Kaige to rising talents like Wen Yan. Here’s what we know of the cast so far for each part:
- Guan Hu (Mr. Six)– Ou Hao, Huang Bo, Wang Qianyuan
- Zhang Yibai (Fleet of Time) – Zhang Jiayi, Zhang Ze
- Xu Zheng (Lost in Thailand) – Liu Tao, Xu Zheng
- Xue Xiaolu (Finding Mr. Right).- Du Jiang, Zhu Yilong, Gao Yalin
- Ning Hao (Let the Bullets Fly) – Ge You
- Wen Muye (Dying to Survive) – Tong Liya, Song Jia, Lei Jiayin
- Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubine) – Liu Haoran, Chen Feiyu, Tian Zhuangzhuang
- Wen Yan (Angels Wear White) – Andy Lau, Zhuang Yinan
Trailer:
Mid-series review: The Longest Day in Chang’an
The first half of The Longest Day in Chang’an is mesmerising, and has a very meaty setup – Zhang Xiaojing (Lei Jiayin), former police detective (buliangren) and currently a prisoner on death row, is given the near impossible mission of uprooting a terrorist group within twenty four hours. He sacrifices close friends and subordinates and willingly puts himself in mortal danger in order to save the people of Chang’an, yet is easily thrown under the bus by those in power when things get out of control.
(more…)The Longest Day in Chang’an is now available for streaming
Within minutes of The Untamed airing, historical suspense drama The Longest Day in Chang’an 长安十二时辰 released twelve episodes without any warning. You can watch it here (update: now region-blocked; update 2: it will be up on Amazon, Youtube and Viki sometimes in July). Only the first four episodes are available for non-VIP members. I’m not sure when/if the rest will be available for non-VIP members.
Like The Untamed, there’s no new promotional materials other than the previous poster and synopsis here and trailer and stills here.
Trailer below, BTS here and here
(more…)
Tang Wei encourages Lei Jiayin to become a Whistleblower in upcoming thriller
The Whistleblower 吹哨人 stars Lei Jiayin as an employee who accidentally discovers the new product his company is promoting had not passed the required safety tests. With the help of Tang Wei, he begins to search for evidence and uncovers a deadly conspiracy in the process. Directed and written by Xue Xiaolu (Finding Mr. Right, Book of Love), the film is slated for a September 12th release. The film will be distributed in North America by CMC Pictures.
Huang Bo, Shen Teng meets Crazy Alien in upcoming black comedy
Crazy Alien is an upcoming black comedy starring Huang Bo as Geng Hao, a monkey trainer whose act goes wrong after an alien crash lands on Earth and injures his monkey. Desperate to perform the act, he attempts to train the alien instead, though is punished after the alien regains his powers.
The alien’s plans to return home are complicated by American scientists searching for alien life and Dafei’s (Shen Teng) desire to make some traditional medicated liquor. Lei Jiayin costars as a policeman.
Ning Hao’s new film is scheduled for a February 5th release.
Lei Jiayin, Dong Zijian, Yang Mi cast in upcoming mystery film Assassin in Red
Director Lu Yang, best known for his wuxia film series Brotherhood in Blades, has started work on a new mystery film titled Assassin in Red 刺杀小说家, based on the story of the same name by Shuang Xuetao.
Trailer and stills for Lei Jiayin, Yi Yangqianxi’s upcoming period drama
I already love the trailer for The Longest Day in Chang’an, and despite director Cao Dun’s terrible track record in controlling the pacing of a show, I’m still hoping this will turn out to be a solid mystery drama. Lei Jiayin plays a former officer turned prisoner on death row who is hired by Yi Yangqianxi to find the culprit behind a terror plot within 24 hours. [Extended Synopsis]
Ninth drama adaption of Return of the Condor Heroes reveals cast
The latest adaption of Return of the Condor Heroes / Romance of the Condor Heroes 神雕侠侣 has confirmed Tong Mengshi (Colourful Bones) as Yang Guo, new actress Mao Xiaohui as Xiaolongnü and award-winning young actress Wenqi (Eagles and Youngster) as Guo Xiang.
First teaser for Tong Liya, Lei Jiayin’s time-bending rom-com
How Long Will I Love U 超时空同居 tells of the bickering relationship between neighbours who live in parallel timelines, who end up pretending to be a couple. A woman from 2018 (Tong Liya) wakes up to find her wall has disappeared, and discovers her new housemate is a man from 1999 (Lei Jiayin). Cue hilarious cohabitation hijinks and friendly bickering.