The Movie Emperor

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The Movie Emperor
Theatrical release poster
Traditional Chinese紅毯先生
Simplified Chinese红毯先生
Literal meaningMr Red Carpet
Directed byNing Hao
Written by
  • Liu Xiaodan
  • Wang Ang
  • Daniel Yu
Produced by
  • Wang Yibing
  • Daniel Yu
  • Winnie Liao
  • Xing Aina
Starring
CinematographyWang Boxue
Edited byDu Yuan
Music by
  • Raymond Wong
  • Russel C J Wong
Production
company
Huanxi Media Group Limited (Shanghai)
Distributed byCMC Pictures
Release dates
  • September 15, 2023 (2023-09-15) (TIFF)
  • March 15, 2024 (2024-03-15) (China)
Running time
127 minutes
CountryChina
LanguageMandarin
Budget¥261 million[1]

The Movie Emperor (Chinese: 红毯先生; pinyin: Hóng tǎn xiānshēng; lit. 'Mr. Red carpet') is a 2023 Chinese satirical comedy film directed by Ning Hao and starring Andy Lau. The film had its premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival in Gala Presentations section on September 15, 2023.[2] It was also the closing film of the 28th Busan International Film Festival where it was screened on October 13, 2023.[3]

Synopsis[edit]

The film tells the story of a has-been Hong Kong film star who makes a comeback film with a major director to regain his popularity. To prepare for his role as a peasant farmer in the 1960s, he goes to the countryside in mainland China to experience rural life there, but his arrogance triggers a series of farces.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

In February 2022, the opening ceremony of the film, created by Huanxi Media, directed by Ning Hao and starred by Andy Lau, was held in Shenzhen. Principal photography began on 23 February 2022.[4] The filming locations also included Guangzhou, Shanwei City, Haifeng County and Haikou City,[5] and filming was wrapped up on 21 April 2022.[6]

Release[edit]

The film was premiered at 2023 Toronto International Film Festival in Gala Presentations section on 15 September 2023 at Roy Thomson Hall.[7] It was also selected in Gala Selection of the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival and was screened on 25 October 2023.[8]

Reception[edit]

Kevin L. Lee reviewing for AwardsWatch at Toronto Film Festival, graded the film A− and praised the performance of lead actor writing, "[Andy] Lau not only continues to cement his place as a Hong Kong legend in cinema, but he strolls right in and delivers a comedic performance like no other."[9]

Lee Marshall of ScreenDaily reviewing in Busan Film Festival opined that the film "packed with references to Lau’s career and to Hong Kong and Chinese mainland films and celebrity culture, is a film that has been precision-engineered for local audiences." Concluding Lee wrote, "While there are more than a few China-specific in-jokes here, Hao’s knowing comedy makes a good case for the cross-border universality of the world it portrays." Lee cites example of “Yumeji's Theme” from 2000 Hong Kong film In the Mood for Love, used as a repeated motif in the film to make the point.[10]

Peter Debruge giving positive review for Variety wrote that the film is "one of the year’s savvier satires."[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "欢喜传媒：2.61亿投资电影《全民明星》，宁浩导演费2500万元" [Huanxi Media: 261 million yuan invested in the movie "Celebrity", Ning Hao's director fee is 25 million yuan]. 36kr (in Chinese). 21 December 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  2. ^ Anthony D'Alessandro (24 July 2023). "TIFF Lineup Unveiled Amid Strikes: Awards Contenders 'Dumb Money', 'The Holdovers', 'Rustin'; Starry Pics For Sale With Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, Michael Keaton, Viggo Mortensen & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  3. ^ Rosser, Michael (5 September 2023). "Busan film festival unveils 2023 line-up and will honour Chow Yun-fat". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Ning Hao and Andy Lau continued the "Front Edge" movie "Mr. Red Carpet" started". Guangzhou Daily. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2023 – via Breaking Latest News.
  5. ^ "刘德华现身海口被偶遇，一身黑色西装帅气依旧，亲民和粉丝互动" [Andy Lau appeared in Haikou and was met by chance. He was still handsome in a black suit and interacted with fans.]. Sina (in Chinese). 20 April 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Andy Lau's movie "Mr. Red Carpet" was completed, the crew took a group photo, and Ning Hao obediently let C position". Lai times. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Official Selection, 2023 Toronto International Film Festival Screenings:The Movie Emperor". Tiffr 2023. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  8. ^ Brzeski, Patrick (27 September 2023). "Tokyo Film Festival Aims to Boost Global Relevance With Bumper 2023 Edition". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  9. ^ Kevin L. Lee (16 September 2023). "'The Movie Emperor' Review: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Red Carpet | Toronto". AwardsWatch. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  10. ^ Marshall, Lee (13 October 2023). "'The Movie Emperor': Busan". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  11. ^ Peter Debruge (22 October 2023). "'The Movie Emperor' Review: Andy Lau Plays Vain Version of Himself in Hong Kong Megastar Meta-Satire". Variety. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

External links[edit]

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