Jade Dynasty — Ching Siu-tung's film with Xiao Zhan
Jade Dynasty (诛仙Ⅰ) opened in Chinese cinemas on 13 September 2019, for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Directed by Ching Siu-tung, a legend of Hong Kong martial arts cinema, it stars Xiao Zhan as Zhang Xiaofan, alongside Li Qin (Lu Xueqi) and Meng Meiqi (Bi Yao).
Production and behind the scenes
Ching Siu-tung is known for his aerial choreography, from A Chinese Ghost Story to Hero, whose fights he directed. He brings to Zhu Xian his taste for flights, floating fabrics and suspended duels. The film came out a few weeks after The Untamed phenomenon, which made Xiao Zhan one of the country's biggest stars.
How it differs from the donghua
The film condenses Zhang Xiaofan's youth arc into just over two hours. It therefore has to cut a lot: the childhood on Dazhu Peak, the Seven Peaks tournament and the slow build-up of the love triangle are summarised. The donghua, with its many episodes, has time to develop what the film skims over. In exchange, the film offers spectacular fights and a highly crafted aesthetic.
Reception and success
Carried by Xiao Zhan's popularity, the film took around 270 million yuan over the Mid-Autumn weekend and nearly 330 million in total. Critics were harsher, with a 5.4 rating on Douban, many finding the plot too compressed for anyone unfamiliar with the novel. The "I" in the title promised a sequel.
Trivia
- Ching Siu-tung directed A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) and choreographed the fights in Hero (2002).
- The film was released for the Mid-Autumn Festival, traditionally a strong period at the Chinese box office.
- Meng Meiqi, who plays Bi Yao, is a former member of the girl group WJSN, like Wu Xuanyi (Soul Land).
- According to ticketing data, around 75% of the film's audience was female, a sign of the Xiao Zhan effect.
My take
Jade Dynasty is a beautiful film to look at, with aerial fights worthy of Ching Siu-tung. But it moves far too fast, and viewers who do not know the story may get lost. I see it as a visual complement to the novel or the donghua, not as an entry point.
Who is it for?Fans of Xiao Zhan and martial arts cinema, and Zhu Xian readers curious to see the story on the big screen.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan