Forever Young (2015 film)
Forever Young (Chinese: 栀子花开) is a 2015 Chinese coming-of-age film[2] directed by He Jiong and starring Li Yifeng and Zhang Huiwen.[3] The film was released on July 10, 2015.[4]
Forever Young | |
---|---|
Theatrical poster | |
Traditional | 梔子花開 |
Simplified | 栀子花开 |
Mandarin | zhī zǐ huā kāi |
Cantonese | zi1 zi2 faa1 hoi1 |
Literally | Gardenia in blossom |
Directed by | He Jiong |
Produced by | Huang Lei |
Written by | Ao Li |
Starring | Li Yifeng Zhang Huiwen |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
Country | China |
Language | Mandarin |
Box office | US$41.42 million[1] |
Plot
Set in an arts performing college, the story revolves around Yan Xi and Xu Nuo, a couple who is envied by many in school. The two work hard to achieve their dreams — Xu Nuo wants to eventually get sign on with a music label with his band and Yan Xi wants to go to Paris for ballet school. However, when Yan Xi finds out that she wasn't accepted into the prestigious program, and that her friends had started making alternate plans, she breaks into a tantrum and starts to distance herself. Before she could make amends, her friends died in a car accident. Full of remorse, Yan Xi has a month to come up with a replacement for the Dance of the Cygnets that the four girls were going to perform at the university's Dream Night Graduation Party. However, before she could think of a solution, Yan Xi falls and injures her leg.
Xu Nuo proposes to his friends that they perform the Dance of the Cygnets themselves. The start training in secret, without Yan Xi's knowledge, intending on giving her a surprise.
Cast
- Li Yifeng as Xu Nuo
- Zhang Huiwen as Yan Xi
- Jiang Jinfu
- Wei Daxun
- Calvin Tu
- Zhang Yuxi
- Li Xin'ai
- Song Yi
- Zhang Yunlong
- Chai Ge as Ji Yan
- Wang Youshuo
- Coco Lee
- Liu Haoran as Host
- Nichkhun
Reception
The film received negative reviews in regard to its plot and acting.[5]
Despite negative reviews, the film made US$38.5 million in its three-day opening weekend in China, debuting at first place at the Chinese box office and third worldwide behind Minions and Terminator Genisys.[6]
References
- Clifford Coonan (July 13, 2015). "China Box Office: 'Tiny Times 4.0' Leads as Local Youth Flicks Dominate". The Hollywood Reporter. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved July 15, 2015.
- "Forever Young: a fluffy, saccharine Chinese coming-of-age tale". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2015-07-08. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
- "The superficial Forever Young panders to millennials at every turn". The Georgia Straight. 2015-07-08. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
- "《爱笑》何炅携《栀子花开》挑战镜子屋". Sina Corp. 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
- "The most disappointing films in the Chinese mainland in 2015". Global Times. January 5, 2016.
- Nancy Tartaglione (July 12, 2015). "'Minions' Henchmen Nab $124M & No. 1 In 4th Frame; 'Terminator' Generates $47M – Intl Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. (Penske Media Corporation). Retrieved July 13, 2015.