Our special correspondent Shao Qunyu
"The so-called moral justice in the world is sometimes very romantic and subtle." January 19, produced by Er Dongsheng, directed by Mak Qiguang, Aaron Kwok, Lin Jiadong, Ren Xianqi , the absurd and humorous crime movie " temporary robbery " starring Zhang Keyi was released. The film tells the story of Mei Lantian (played by Aaron Kwok), a tough gangster who lives in embarrassment, "inviting" fellow victims A Tang (played by Lam Jiadong) and Murong Fai (played by Yan Xianqi) to team up to rob. Around a bag of money, the three "stupid thieves" trigger a series of farce. As of the evening of the 25th, the film's total box office in the seven days since its release exceeded 124 million yuan. Recently, "Global Times" conducted an exclusive interview with film producer Er Dongsheng, director Mak Qiguang, and lead star Ren Xianqi. They shared their creative experience and behind-the-scenes stories about the film. Talking about the term "new Hong Kong film", Ye Dongsheng said frankly that the film actually has shadows of past Hong Kong films, but it is relatively new to the younger generation.
"Newport Movies" in the Eyes of Young People
Global Times: Why was "Temporary Robbery" filmed in an absurd and humorous way?
Mak Kai-Kwong: In fact, this film is very realistic and close to the lives of ordinary people in Hong Kong. When I created this film, I was thinking about me and the many "poor" friends around me, and I also hope that the audience can find the shadow of themselves or the people around them in the film.
Er Dongsheng: Film creation sometimes needs to bring something that can make the audience feel relaxed and entertained. We need films that are relatively heavy and can raise social issues, and we also need films that can express our own emotions. The so-called exaggerated comedy is to make real-life stories more ridiculous and express them in a surreal way. The idea conveyed by the film "Prompt Heist" is very simple. What is important is that the family is intact. We don’t dare to say so many truths about life, we just hope that the audience can enter the movie and these two hours of film can let everyone express their feelings and laugh crazily.
Global Times: What do you think of the term "Xingang Film"?
Er Dongsheng: Some friends told me that they felt like they were watching a traditional Hong Kong film, but most of the people who found it fresh were young viewers. In fact, this is how Hong Kong movies were shot in the past. Looking back on Stephen Chow's movies, they are full of absurdity and nonsensicality. In my opinion, everything is repetitive, like the wide-leg pants that young people wear now, we have been popular before, I have worn bell-bottom pants with a 30-inch opening. Trends are a cycle. When you are tired of looking at the current things, you can bring out the past and it will seem brand new to young people. The same is true for movies. If this kind of movie is not made for too long, a new generation of viewers will feel different.
I don’t believe in scripts written by AI
Global Times: Some people think that “Hong Kong movies are not as influential as before.” What do you think of this?
Er Dongsheng: There are many reasons for this statement, and it cannot be simply simplified. For example, Hong Kong movies are now experiencing the so-called "dynasty change". The oldest cast (cast member) is 60 years old. This is actually the case in the Mainland, where a group of very capable actors are no longer young. If you pay attention, Hong Kong movies try their best to use new people, but this will take a while, waiting for the next echelon of people to come up. Of course, in addition to the replacement of actors, the market and audience preferences are also changing, just like the development of new media is so fast that people are caught off guard.
I have told all creators not to think about things generated by AI (artificial intelligence). I don’t believe in scripts written by computers. That’s called laziness. Regardless of whether a movie or a TV series is based on a story, only if the story is good can it be made well. I think some young directors in Hong Kong movies in the past two years are very good, so give them some time and they can prove their abilities.
The word "becoming famous" is too strange.
Global Times: Let's talk about Murong Hui, the character you played in "The Temporary Robbery". What kind of little person is he?
Ren Xianqi: Before this film, from " big event ", "a big tree attracts the wind" to "edgewalker", most of the characters I played were more fierce, cold, arrogant and domineering characters.Murong Fai sounds like "Wu Yong Fai" in Cantonese. He is a common man who can't be a good person or a bad person. Even if he is called around by others, he still says "Oh, oh, okay". In order to run a nursing home, he owed a lot of debt. Because some elderly people had no financial means, he could only find a way to borrow money to make up for it. Murong Hui in the film wants to work hard to take up all the responsibilities, but he is incapable but reluctant to let go, just like the line I sang "I shed tears alone until dawn"... So when I played him, I changed the character from "Heart Is Too Soft" 》The artistic conception is taken to the extreme.
The movie "Temporary Robbery" can be said to be a rhapsody for ordinary people. I think everyone will experience difficult things no matter work or life. We want everyone to find resonance and smile. Underneath the serious subject matter of crime and the style of Hong Kong movies, there is more absurdity and black humor.
Global Times: What do you think of the evaluation of "Brother Xiao Qi's rise to fame"?
Ren Xianqi: The word "turning into a celebrity" is too strange. Some people even said that I was "turning over". I usually treat myself as a newcomer, let nature take its course, and maintain a healthy and good attitude when facing acting work. It doesn't matter to me whether or not my songs, plays and roles are remembered. ▲
