Shanghai Fortress
| Shanghai Fortress | |
|---|---|
 Shanghai Fortress poster | |
| Traditional Chinese | 上海堡壘 |
| Simplified Chinese | 上海堡垒 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Shànghǎi Bǎolěi |
| Directed by | Teng Huatao |
| Written by | Jiang Nan Han Jinglong |
| Based on | Shanghai Fortress by Jiang Nan |
| Produced by | Wang Chen |
| Starring | Lu Han Shu Qi |
Production companies | China Entertainment Investment Group Limited by Share Ltd China Film Group Corporation Tianjin North Film Group Beijing United Entertainment Partners Culture & Media Co., Ltd. Tencent Pictures |
| Distributed by | China Film Group Corporation Beijing United Entertainment Partners Culture & Media Co., Ltd. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | China |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Budget | $64,000,000 |
| Box office | $16,923,671 |
Shanghai Fortress (Chinese: 上海堡垒) is a 2019 Chinese science fiction action film directed by Teng Huatao and stars Lu Han and Shu Qi.[1][2] Based on Jiang Nan's eponymous 2009 sci-fi novel (also translated as Once Upon a Time in Shanghai), the film depicts the human race's last stand in Shanghai fighting against aliens who try to seize a hidden energy source on earth in 2042. The film premiered in China on August 9, 2019.[3] It was Godfrey Gao's final film before his death on November 27, 2019.
Plot
[edit]In 2042, Shanghai becomes the last hope to defend humanity against the attack of an alien force that is besieging many cities around the world, to harvest hidden energy, found on earth. Young student Jiang Yang falls in love with Lin Lan, whom he follows to the fortress of Shanghai. From a young schoolboy in love and innocent, he will have to go through these dark and merciless hours to become, whatever the cost, the hero that humanity needs.
Cast
[edit]- Lu Han as Jiang Yang (江洋)
- Shu Qi as Lin Lan (林澜)
- Godfrey Gao as Yang Jiannan (杨建南)
- Shi Liang as Shao Yiyun (邵一云)
- Wang Sen as Pan Hantian
- Wang Gongliang as Zeng Yu (曾煜)
- Sun Jialing as Lu Yiyi (路依依)
Production
[edit]The film is adapted from the 2006 novel of the same name by Jiang Nan.[3]
6 years in production, and about ¥400 million yuan (US $57 million) budget, the film raked in just 119 million yuan in its opening weekend.[4][5] Lu Han's salary for the film was rumoured to be ¥120 million yuan, however the director Teng Huatao clarified that it was not this high and sources suggested that Lu Han's salary for the film was between 2 - 4 million yuan.[6]
Release
[edit]The producer has unveiled the first trailer for the film on February 10, 2019.[7]
The film was released on August 9, 2019, in China.
Reception
[edit]Douban, a major Chinese rating site, gave the film a rating of 3.0 out of 10.[8] The film received highly negative reviews in China.[9]
Viewers lamented on Sina Weibo that "it's not a sci-fi film but a half-baked May–December love story between Shu Qi and Lu Han with a few sci-fi elements."[10][11] Director Teng Huatao apologized on his social media on Sina Weibo for letting viewers down. Screenwriter and original novel writer Jiang Nan also apologized online, particularly to the fans of his book who were disappointed after waiting so many years for the film. On August 13, 2019, the producer apologized for using original video material from Shawn Wang in promoting the film.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Cao Chen (9 August 2019). "Chinese futuristic romance 'Shanghai Fortress' opens today". chinadaily. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ Monisha Pillai (12 August 2019). ""Luhan Has Destroyed Chinese Sci-Fi": What This Epic Flop Says About China's Changing Moviegoers". radiichina. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ a b "Can 'Shanghai Fortress' become China's first sci-fi blockbuster?". ecns. 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ 《上海堡垒》损失多惨重？超20家公司亏损，鹿晗成最大赢家. 163.com (in Chinese). 2019-08-15. Archived from the original on 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
- ^ Sun Liang; Qin Wen (2019-08-15). 《上海堡垒》“喜提”三道歉，磨刀6年为何至如此境地？. dzwww.com (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
- ^ 《上海堡垒》导演回应鹿晗天价片酬，“其实他真的收了很少的钱”. 163.com (in Chinese). 2019-08-20.
- ^ 如何评价上海堡垒第一支预告？. sina (in Chinese). 2019-02-10. Archived from the original on 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
- ^ Patrick Brzeski (13 August 2019). "China's Latest Big-Budget Sci-Fi Film 'Shanghai Fortress' Crashes After Liftoff". hollywoodreporter. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ Elaine Yau (12 August 2019). "China sci-fi film Shanghai Fortress fails to build on The Wandering Earth's success". scmp.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ "'Shanghai Fortress' collapses at box office". china.org.cn. 15 August 2019. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ Addy (11 August 2019). "Blockbuster Sci-Fi "Shanghai Fortress" Bombs the Box Office with Low Reviews". jaynestars. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ 《上海堡垒》盗用他人视频宣传 遭声讨后致歉赔偿. 163.com (in Chinese). 2019-08-13. Archived from the original on 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
External links
[edit]- Shanghai Fortress at IMDb
- Shanghai Fortress at Douban (in Chinese)
- Shanghai Fortress at Mtime.com (archived) (in Chinese)