Xue Xiaolu
A sequel to the Chinese romantic comedy “Finding Mr Right,” which saw record box office success, has moved the story arc’s setting to Macau. The new movie, again written and directed by Xue Xiaolu, with top Chinese actors Tang Wei and Wu Xiubo leading the cast, is being filmed in various locations around town, from casino resorts to historical attractions.
The first instalment, which premiered in 2013, depicts the story of a Beijing diva who moves to Seattle to give birth to the son she hopes will win over her married boyfriend. It grossed over RMB500 million in box office takings, becoming the biggest box office hit of its genre in the history of the Chinese film industry.
Introducing the comedy’s sequel, Ms Xue Xiaolu told local media that the “Macau element accounts for a large portion” of the new story.
“Macau is not only one scene, but a crucial element. Macau has its very unique history. (…) I’ve always wished to write something with uniqueness, and those features are what caught my interest and fondness,” she said.
Ms Xue revealed that her team has been filming inside the MGM Macau resort. “Apart from MGM, we also found filming locations in many of Macau’s old alleys, signature architectures, some interesting cultures, and preserved streets that embody a Portuguese ambience. We hope to present a real Macau, at least in my eyes – a complex [city] with a side of glittering lights, and a simple, guileless and cordial side,” she stressed.
The shooting of the movie in the city is exclusively sponsored by the MGM as an initiative to support local cultural exchanges. Moreover, the operator hosted a seminar on Tuesday where Ms Xue – a screenwriter and movie director who teaches at Beijing Film Academy – shared tips on how to write successful screen stories, and breaking into the movie business, with nearly a hundred local filmmakers, students and movie enthusiasts.
“I don’t think Macau has its local market. Right now, even Hong Kong films’ local market is very limited, and it’s even worse for Taiwanese films. In fact, the real market still lies in the mainland. Therefore, when you speak of [making] commercial movies, apparently you need to know this market and its audience very well,” she suggested, adding that upholding one’s uniqueness is key to maintaining a balance between artistic and commercial values.
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