New Year celebration movie: Me and Dad

www.chinaview.cn 2003-12-10 08:38:36




Me and Dad, a low-budget domestic movie is showing in cinemas across the country. Directed by and starring mainland actress Xu Jinglei, the film is the first among many upcoming New Year Celebration movies.

The film, which is the young pop star's directorial debut, tells a touching story between a father and daughter. After her mother's death in an accident, the 18-year-old Xiao Yu has to live with her long divorced father. The story portrays how the father and the daughter gradually accept each other.

Talking about this choice of theme for her first movie, Xu Jinglei says, "The love and relationship between family members is always a touching one. A parent and child relationship cannot be broken off. I wanted to portray how a family must confront problems to which there are often no solutions."

The 28-year-old pop-idol is the most f¨ºted actress of her generation. She was first noticed in TV series' and the film "Spicy Love Soup". She built on her success with "Spring Subway" and "I Love You", which were both hits in China.

In Me and Dad, many big-name stars also join in. Famous director Ye Daying plays the father, with filmmaker Zhang Yuan and actor Jiang Wen in supporting roles.

This has brought up the question that if Xu Jinglei, as a new director, had problems directing the performers, especially the experienced directors playing cameo roles.

"I had no particular problems with the stars. I learnt a lot from them. As for directing, being an actress also helped me. I know what an actor needs on set. My lack of experience in shooting techniques was the most difficult thing to overcome."
She says she doesn't care too much about the box office results. She is already working on her second movie, also about love, but of a different kind. Enditem
(CRI)