There’s plenty of life in ‘old’ films
Print Edition
IT has been eight years since Yue Dejian went to see a movie at the cinema. The 68-year-old Beijing resident said he stopped going because he couldn’t relate to what was being shown.
“I remember seeing the Hollywood film ‘On Golden Pond’ more than 30 years ago, which impressed me with its subject matter,” he said.
“But these days it’s so hard to find similar quality films dealing with age issues in China.”
In China, movies featuring themes of love, youth and fantasy are luring young audiences, but films about older people are less common and generally less successful.
That said, in 2013, the film “Full Circle,” which tells of a journey taken by a group of elderly residents of a nursing home and starring Siqin Gaowa was selected to open the Chinese Film Festival in Belgium.
It went on to win an award at the 20th Beijing Student Film Festival, but was a commercial disappointment, taking just 3.5 million yuan (US$560,000) at the Chinese box office.
Similarly, the critically acclaimed “A Simple Life,” which touches on the issue of aging, was only a moderate box office success, grossing 62 million yuan on China’s mainland.
That was despite the fact that it featured Hong Kong movie superstars Andy Lau and Deanie Ip, and was a big winner at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
China’s population is graying, with the number of people aged 60 or above now close to 200 million. The figure is set to double by 2050.
But most movies that center on older people are “watered down,” said Zhang Sining, head of the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences.
“Films for the aged are usually weaker in dramatic impact, which makes it hard for them to be artistic and successful,” he said.
Domestic filmmakers are more interested in young audiences who account for the lion’s share of movie-goers.
But films for the elderly don’t have to be “dull,” Zhang said.
At least one movie is bucking the trend. Earlier last month, “Miss Granny,” starring Taiwan actress Kuei Ya-lei and young actor Bolin Chen, opened on the Chinese mainland.
By the end of last month, it had grossed 350 million yuan, edging out Hollywood competitors “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” and “Seventh Son.”
The chart-topper details the story of a sarcastic 70-year-old woman striving to adapt to a new life after being miraculously transformed into a 20-year-old girl.
“We tell the story of an old woman from a young angle,” said its producer.
“I think it’s a good start,” Zhang said.
“It means that even films discussing old age can be approached in a different way.”
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