Zhang Yimou’s espionage thriller gears up for premiere

I didn’t enjoy Zhang Yimou’s Shadow and One Second as much as I’d hoped, but Impasse / Cliff Walkers should be right up my alley. Granted, I’m not expecting the film to surpass The Message, but surely you can’t go too wrong with a cast like this?

Starring Zhang Yi, Yu Hewei, Qin Hailu, Zhu Yawen, Ni Dahong and the director’s latest starlet Liu Haocun, the film is slated to premiere on April 30th.

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Promo Round-up: Octogenarian and The 90s

Octogenarian and The 90s stars Wu Qian as the person-in-charge of her grandmother’s retirement home. She initially takes take a hard line approach with the elderly residents but learns to be more empathetic as the story progresses. Bai Jingting plays her love interest, and familiar veteran actors Ni Dahong, Li Jianyi and Yang Xinming costar.

The 40 episode drama airs 2 episodes Sunday – Thursday and 1 episode on Fridays and Saturdays on Hunan TV beginning tonight.

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Trailer and stills for Bai Jingting, Wu Qian’s light-hearted comedy

Octogenerian, and The 90s 八零九零 stars Wu Qian as Ye Xiaomei, the enthusiastic heroine who is tasked with managing a retirement home after her grandmother is diagnosed with cancer. However, many of her actions are rejected by the elderly residents, and hijinks ensue. Bai Jingting costars as her love interest.

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Political intrigue drama For the Holy Guiguzi now on Youtube with English subs

For the Holy Guiguzi stars Duan Yihong as Gui Guzi, a Warring States politician and strategist who works to abolish slavery. Qi Wei (No Secrets) costars as the calculating princess of Han, Zu Feng (Remain Silent) plays Gui Guzi’s classmate and Ni Dahong (All Is Well) plays the King of Han.

All 52 episodes are now on Youtube (Eng subs in progress):

25th Magnolia Awards

Unlike the mess that was the 29th Golden Eagle Awards, the Magnolia Awards were more sensible and predictable, so kudos to the judges (director Gao Xixi, actress Ma Yili, screenwriter Chen Tong among others) for judging based on merit.

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All Is Well trailer hits all the hot topics

A victim of sexism in her own family, a spoiled youngest son, and a weak father finally freed from his  boss spouse  all walk into the same show…

From preferential treatment to sons to overly-protected sons to independent women to old people being scammed,  All is Well 都挺好’s trailer hits so many the hot topics that every episode is already guaranteed to set aflame a million internet forum. The series starring Yao Chen, Ni Dahong, and Guo Jingfei is set to air on March 1st.


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Lantern Festival drama posters

Here’s a round-up of Lantern Festival poster/stills released for upcoming (and one currently airing) dramas.  Happy Lantern Festival!

The Longest Day in Chang’an – Yi Yangqianzi

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Promo Round-up: Ever Night

Upcoming fantasy wuxia drama Ever Night (Part 1) stars Chen Feiyu, Song Yiren, Yuan Bingyan and Meng Ziyi in the leading roles, and will release 2 episodes every Wed-Fri on Tencent and Youtube beginning tonight. VIP members get a 6 episode head start.

Theme song by Jane Zhang ; Tan Weiwei

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