Source: CCTV.com

08-09-2006 14:06

At the movies "Crazy Stone", the low budget heist flick, has turned out to be an unlikely mainland hit. It's even brushed aside the Hollywood blockbusters.

"Crazy Stone" serves up gangsters and grifters, chasing a precious piece of jade through gritty city streets.

Director Ning Hao's film skirts the standard morality that punctuates most Chinese films.

And the movie stands in stark contrast to both blockbusters and art films.

Ning says the main point is to entertain audiences.

He said:"Entertainment is very important. One of the most important functions of a movie is to please the audience. We should keep that in mind. Because only when movies are entertaining will they become a commodity. And a movie must be a commodity to have any real influence. So entertainment value is very important for locally made movies."

Since opening June 30, Ning's dark farce has become China's most successful homegrown release this year. Box office takings exceed 2 million U.S. dollars, an awfully strong figure in China's piracy-ravaged market.

Ning Hao is glad that his movie, made for under 500 thousand US, has been so well accepted.

Like for every young director, finding financial support was the most difficult thing.

Ning wrote the screenplay six years ago, but due to lack of funding didn't finish the movie until late last year. He says young Chinese directors need to be more patient.

He said:"When the opportunity is not there yet, the most important thing is to adjust to the situation, and stay ready. As young directors, we should never blame others for not taking care of us."

Moviegoers say they enjoyed "Crazy Stone" much more than this summer's usual offerings from Hollywood.

Moviegoer Ma Xinyu said:"Hollywood movies are all the same. It's either fights or explosions. Personally, I don't like that. There is nothing new you can get from Hollywood movies. But the low budget Chinese movies, or art movies, are more diverse, and some are very interesting. So I like those films better."

Though Ning was vague about his future, he was certain where the appeal of "Crazy Stone" lies. The film, without big stars or gaudy special effects, pulls in the audience with its entertaining story.

 

Editor:WangKe