Bright Shadow Films

The People’s Republic of Desire hits Shanghai

Local film production company Bright Shadow Films is preparing to start filming on their debut feature-length film, The People’s Republic of Desire, an adaptation of Annie Wang’s 2006 novel. The shoot is scheduled for the middle of next month.

The novel has been dubbed a “Sex in the City for Chinese women” – centering on four female friends, just as in the TV show. “It’s about single women and love, but that’s not the only thing,” says Lucy Brydon, who co-wrote the script with Jenny Hammond. “It’s not quite so directly about romance – the book has a lot to offer in terms of Chinese culture as well.”

Although the original story is set in modern day Beijing, the film adaptation will be set in Shanghai. “Shanghai’s just a sexier city, no offense to Beijing,” Brydon says with a laugh. Author Wang was on hand during the adaptation process, and has given her approval of the treatment. “[Wang] kept tabs, but she didn’t have any strict guidelines. She’s a ball of energy – very smart, very cool,” says Brydon, also mentioning the challenge of adapting the book, which was originally comprised of columns, into a cohesive film narrative. “We basically started by taking all the dialogue and went from there,” she says.

Bright Shadow’s managing director Charlie Moretti, who will also act as the film’s producer, reveals – without giving too much away – that the film will be shot on location, all over the city, including scenes at “the Hyatt, 1933, Chinatown – all the famous landmarks that Shanghai residents will recognize.” The shoot will last six weeks, he says, beginning at the end of September and lasting through the fall.

Already attached to the project is UK actor Andrew Lincoln, who has previously appeared in 2003’s Love, Actually (which Moretti likens to PRD), Scenes of a Sexual Nature and numerous British TV shows. “It’s an ensemble piece – but Andrew is our male lead,” says Moretti, highlighting that the production will involve over 30 crew members. Also confirmed for the project is director Alexei Berteig and director of photography Mark Pugh. Bright Shadow is currently working to confirm several additional actors, including the film’s four female leads, who will be of Chinese descent.

The film will be shot in English, although Moretti confirms that there will be dubbing for a domestic Chinese release. Bright Shadow has big hopes for the film, with a multi-million RMB budget and plans for an international release. “We’re aiming for April 2010,” says Moretti. “[Coinciding with the Expo] is part of the point, but realistically, we always knew it would be in the second quarter April, and we want to release it as early as possible to get as many viewers as possible.”

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