Following the success of local fantasy films, Chinese moviegoers will see one again with the premier of "The Mermaid" on Feb. 8, timed with the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
The movie, directed by Stephen Chow, the same director of the 2013 blockbuster film "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" is a modern fairy tale about a biology professor who falls in love with a mermaid who saves him when his vessel sank. It combines elements of thrill, fantasy and comedy, notes Shanghadaily.
Besides "Conquering the Demons," Chow also directed "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Shaolin Soccer." When he released the trailer of "The Mermaid" on Dec. 8, it got more than 100,000 views, reports Movie News Guide. So far, it is almost 150,000.
In the trailer, actor Deng Chao is trying to file a report that he was kidnapped by a mermaid. But he shows frustration when the police officer shows him different sketches of the mermaid. A peek at the half-fish, half-woman creature of the sea was finally shown at the end of the trailer.
The success of locally produced films in the box office is attributed by Rance Pow of Artisan Gateway, a film consulting company, to Chinese filmmakers improving in their craft.
The Lunar New Year, the most important holiday in China, is an opportunity to exhibit the best local and foreign films with about 20 being shown. Besides "The Mermaid," other movies to watch out for in 2016 are the third installment of "From Vegas to Macau" and the sequel "The Monkey King 2," reports CNTV.