Radio86 at the movies: “A Simple Noodle Story”

The 10th of December was eagerly awaited by moviegoers in all over China. It was the first day of showing of the long awaited Zhang Yimou film “A Simple Noodle Story.” The director, who has until now created movies of very different genres, this time chose a completely new way to reach his viewers hearts. Zhang’s new movie, which binds together comedy and thriller, is a remake of the Coen Brothers’ 1984 debut "Blood Simple”.

In "A Simple Noodle Story", the action is moved from the Coen Brothers’ Texas to a remote noodle restaurant in the deserts of northern China. The plot revolves around a restaurant keeper who suspects his wife of having an affair with an employee. He hires a corrupt policeman to kill the lovers. However, the policeman has his own plans and the events take an unexpected turn.

During the film's premier, the cinema echoed with bursts of laugher and loud applause. As one of the audience members later said, she would give 90points out of a hundred to the film.

"I have seen for example "The Story of Qiu Ju" and such movies, but this has very different style, very amusing. I also think that the actors he has chosen are very much like in a traditional er ren zhuan, comedic folk theatre and song play," audience member Wei Ran says.

Zhang says that the first group he invited to see this film was made up of people born in the 1990s. He sees this group specifically as the most important target audience for the film as he says, the future of the Chinese film market relies on them. Director Zhang has behind him massive productions such as the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics and Opera Turandot, making his choice of directing a comedy all the more surprising. Nevertheless, Zhang says that he is not worried about the public’s reaction to the movie.

"I think the audience just loves comedy. All over the world comedy is the most popular movie genre. Comedy is number one and only after that comes action movies, so this genre should be well received all over the world. Already for many years, every New Year I have watched together with my mother the New Year shows, and I just cannot wait to see Zhao Benshan's performances. The audience is just like us, normal average people, and happiness and laughter are always welcomed. I did not worry because of the audience, but more for myself, as this was the first time I directed such a movie."

Zhang adds that doing this movie has helped him understand understood what immense pressure actors of comedies experience.

"Xiao Shenyang had a very difficult role in this movie, and Yan Ni was the last one to join our team, but she adapted very well. She is really such an excellent actress. As I told her, especially that kind of terrified screaming and expression of overwhelming fear is something that most actresses are not able to air. That kind of screaming is not at all easy, and Yan Ni did it so well."

The film's budget has reportedly been approximately 10 million euros, several hundred thousands of which were used to acquire the rights to the original Coen Brother's script.