“Blossoms Shanghai” Set Costs 500 Million Yuan
Starring Hu Ge (胡歌), the Wong Kar Wai-directed (王家衛) romantic series Blossoms Shanghai <繁花> is reportedly airing come September, after 3 long years! With scenes still being reshot on the fourth day of lunar new year, the drama is finally in its last stages of production.
To support filming efforts, Shanghai Film Co. spent a reported 500 million yuan on a local filming site for the director’s use, to replicate 1990s Shanghai portrayed in the award-winning novel by Jin Yucheng (金宇澄). Responding, Shanghai Film Group chairman clarified it was “incorrect” to say that pre-production costs for Shanghai Blossoms amounted to 500 million yuan, as even though it was a fixed asset, the sum will not be included in the film’s production costs, since its use is not exclusive to Blossoms Shanghai.
Narrating the struggles and rise of male protagonist Ah Bao from the lower rungs to high society, the drama is also a microcosm of Shanghai at that time. With Shanghai-born Hu Ge in the lead, it will showcase the battle of wits and cunning in the world of business. His romantic dalliances with three leading ladies with distinct backgrounds and personalities – played by Tiffany Tang (湯嫣), Ma Yili (馬伊俐) and Xin Zhilei (辛芷蕾) at different eras of his life is another highlight. Read More…