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Shanghai Calling
By Ann | February 17, 2012
I am so excited about this new movie, Shanghai Calling, a fish-out-of-water comedy about expats in China. The story follows an ambitious American lawyer — who happens to be ethnically Chinese — sent to Shanghai on assignment. He immediately stumbles into a legal mess that could end his career — though he might be able to untangle it with the help of a few expats and locals he meets along the way. Watching the trailer, I was whisked back to my days in Beijing, to those days of helpless frustration when just ordering a bowl of noodles felt like unraveling the Gordian knot — experiences that inspired me to write Kitchen Chinese.
What do you think, mes amis? Would you see this movie?
P.S. Bill Paxton plays a slightly louche American bar-owner!
Topics: Food and Film | 14 Comments »
14 Responses to “Shanghai Calling”
Comments
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February 17th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Unbelievable how long its been since we’ve seen BIll Paxton in anything
Looks super cute and I’ll see it if for no other reason that to ooh and ahh at the views from the Bund!
February 17th, 2012 at 10:48 am
I’d totally see this movie – I wonder if it will ever come out in France? Though I was slightly disconcerted by Bill Paxton, I just watched the “Big Love” finale not too long ago, so I kept feeling like “What on Earth is Bill Henrickson doing in China??”. lol
February 17th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Oh yes! on both counts. Would LOVE to see the movie & can see how it resonated with you. We go to Yogi Berra for the quote “deja vu all over again.” I have been a fish out of my cultural waters for only short periods of time & found the challenge exhilerating. However I can see that a long term situation would be frustrating, wearisome & perhaps dangerous. Thanks for the preview.
February 17th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Yes. I do hope we’ll get in the U.S.
February 18th, 2012 at 10:04 am
I’d definitely see it — although I hope it doesn’t feature too many soup dumplings. I’d keel over from hunger!
February 18th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Ohhh… sounds like a fun one! I don’t think it’s come out in the States but it’s totally up my alley.
February 18th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Chris has an excellent point about the potential dangers of this film. . . .
February 18th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
This movie was written and directed by a young Chinese American writer, Daniel Hsia, who was born and raised in the USA and currently lives in west LA. definitely worth seeing.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:42 am
We’re going as soon as it opens! This is Daniel’s first film, and it looks like a real winner!
February 19th, 2012 at 7:20 am
Oh yes … I would definitely watch this movie! Looks like a good one. I can see how you could relate so well to it.
February 19th, 2012 at 10:53 am
I love reading your comments! A small update on the movie’s release: They’re still looking for a distributor, but it will be shown at a number of festivals in the upcoming months. Check the website — http://www.shanghaicalling.com — for news about festival appearances near you! When the movie does get released nationally, I will make sure to post about it again.
February 19th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
THANKS ANN,
I WATCHED THE ‘TRAILER’ THREE TIMES…LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS MOVIE. GREAT TO SEE SHANGHAI – IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL.
XOXO
JULES
February 20th, 2012 at 12:00 am
I enjoyed the trailer and see the connection to Kitchen Chinese, which I loved, so I would definitely see this movie.
February 20th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
This looks great! My favorite movies are always those where the location plays a major part – almost like it was one of the characters. I like the fact that chose an Asian-American actor as the lead, it adds a little fun to a movie concept that could have otherwise sound a little cliché – and seriously, how handsome is he?? Thank you for sharing this movie, I can’t wait to see it!