Forget Asura: these 5 fun-packed summer movie blockbusters will win the hearts of Chinese audiences
Despite the failure of ‘Asura’, the most expensive Chinese movie ever made, there are more films lined up to entertain you
Asura, the costliest Chinese film ever, flopped spectacularly and was withdrawn from cinemas after just three days after earning only US$7.1 million on the opening weekend.
However, while Asura didn’t win the hearts of Chinese audiences, we look at five potential summer blockbusters you should not miss.
Dying to Survive
This low-budget comedy-drama stormed the Chinese box office, taking US$183.4 million in sales during its four-day opening week and has racked up US$390 million in two weeks.
The movie is based on the real life story of Lu Yong, a Chinese leukaemia patient who smuggled generic cancer medicines from India for fellow patients, leading some critics to describe it as a Chinese equivalent of the Dallas Buyers Club.
The lead actor, Xu Zheng, is a famous Chinese comedy actor who co-produced and starred in Lost in Thailand and Lost in Hong Kong. Directed by first-timer Wen Muye, the movie touches on a deep-rooted social issue in China about high pharmaceutical costs, especially for cancer treatment. Even Chinese Premier Li Keqiang used the film to promote price cuts in cancer medication.
Hidden Man
Any Jiang Wen film is invariably a box office hit. This action comedy film, Hidden Man, is directed by Jiang Wen, who also co-stars, and features other househole Chinese stars Liao Fan, Eddie Peng, Zhou Yun and Xu Qing.
The film earned US$17.9 million on the opening day and has grossed US$63 million in sales, ranking second behind dark comedy Dying to Survive.