Core Insights - The film "The Stage" has achieved significant box office success, grossing 389 million yuan in 21 days, with an average rating of 8.0 from 146,000 viewers on Douban, despite lacking star power and major IP backing [1] - The film has successfully attracted an older audience, with 60.9% of viewers aged 40 and above, highlighting a demand for content catering to middle-aged and elderly viewers [10][8] Group 1: Film Overview - "The Stage" is a unique film that has drawn in many older viewers who typically do not frequent cinemas, showcasing a different audience dynamic compared to other summer blockbusters [4] - The film's narrative focuses on traditional cultural stories, contrasting with other films targeting younger demographics [4][8] - The preparation for "The Stage" took about a year, while the actual filming lasted only one and a half months [8] Group 2: Character and Performance - Actor Chen Dayu, who plays the character Xu Mingli, emphasizes the importance of capturing the character's core instincts, reflecting the fears and uncertainties of living in a tumultuous era [6] - Chen Dayu has a deep connection with the material, having been involved with the original stage play for several years, which informed his performance in the film [5][6] - The transition from stage to film requires significant adjustments in performance style, as film captures subtleties that stage performances do not [7] Group 3: Directorial Approach - Director Chen Peisi, known for his work in the film industry, meticulously planned each scene, understanding the requirements and desired outcomes before filming began [10] - The film's script and director's notes are extensive, with a total of 41 pages of director's notes and a 30,000-word script, indicating a thorough preparatory process [11][13] - Chen Peisi's approach reflects a blend of theatrical and cinematic techniques, aiming to create a unique viewing experience that resonates with both mediums [7][10]

Core Insights - The summer film season of 2025 has seen a diverse range of films, with total box office exceeding 74 billion yuan and "Nanjing Photo Studio" grossing over 17 billion yuan in just 13 days, indicating a strong audience satisfaction and quality of films this year [2][3] Industry Trends - The summer film season features a variety of genres including comedy, suspense, history, and animation, appealing to different demographics and preferences [2] - Audience satisfaction surveys show that "Nanjing Photo Studio" ranks first among films released in 2025, with several films receiving ratings above 8, reflecting a high quality of productions this year [2][3] New Expressions in Filmmaking - The film "Nanjing Photo Studio" breaks away from grand narratives, focusing on ordinary people's heroism and moral integrity during critical moments, resonating with contemporary themes of historical truth and collective memory [3] - Animated films like "Wang Wang Mountain Little Monster" and "Liao Zhai: Lan Ruo Temple" creatively reinterpret classic literature, connecting with modern values and experiences, thus enhancing emotional resonance with audiences [4] - The film industry is experiencing a transformation, with a shift towards complete storytelling, character development, and deeper emotional connections rather than merely grand scenes or thrilling plots [4] Technological Innovations - Upcoming film "Dong Ji Island" showcases significant technical advancements, combining underwater and surface filming techniques, indicating a trend towards enhanced visual storytelling in Chinese cinema [5] - The audience demographic for this summer's films has become more balanced in gender and age, with notable engagement from younger viewers, suggesting a broader appeal and market expansion [5] Historical Context - The year 2025 marks significant anniversaries for both world and Chinese cinema, prompting filmmakers to embrace innovation while honoring traditional storytelling methods [6]

Group 1 - The journey from the stage play "The Stage" to the film adaptation has spanned 10 years, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and audience engagement in performances [1] - Good comedy is rooted in meaningful stories that resonate with the audience, rather than being overtly didactic [1][2] - The cultural depth of comedy is essential, with respect for traditions and details being crucial for creating authentic comedic conflict [2] Group 2 - The transition between various artistic forms, such as film, television, and stage, highlights the unique strengths of each medium while maintaining the core essence of the performance [3] - The concept of "long-termism" in the arts reflects a commitment to quality and tradition, with a focus on meticulous crafting of performances [3] - The importance of audience perception is emphasized, with performers needing to be attuned to audience reactions to refine their craft [2][3]

Core Viewpoint - The film "The Stage" marks Chen Peisi's return to the big screen after 32 years, facing competition from other summer releases, leading to a delay in its premiere from July 17 to July 25 [1][2] Group 1: Film Background and Reception - The film is adapted from a highly acclaimed stage play that had 335 performances and a Douban rating of 9.0, creating a dual-edged sword of expectations among audiences [2] - The film's initial reception is influenced by nostalgia for Chen Peisi's past performances, but younger audiences may not be familiar with him, impacting box office performance [12][13] - The film has grossed over 3.5 billion, but its momentum is slowing as it competes with other films like "The Little Monster of Langlang Mountain" and "Nanjing Photo Studio" [1] Group 2: Story and Themes - Set during the warlord era in the Republic of China, the film juxtaposes the chaos of war with the everyday lives of citizens who continue to enjoy traditional performances [2][4] - The narrative explores the absurdity of power dynamics, where an unqualified warlord disrupts a theatrical performance, highlighting the intersection of art and authority [5][6][8] - The film reflects on the struggle between survival and artistic integrity, emphasizing the importance of continuing to perform despite external pressures [7][9] Group 3: Character Development and Artistic Intent - Chen Peisi's character, the troupe leader, embodies the tension between adhering to artistic traditions and the demands of a powerful figure [10][14] - The film's portrayal of characters navigating absurd circumstances serves as a commentary on the broader societal chaos of the time [8][9] - Chen Peisi's return to film is seen as a personal and artistic milestone, reflecting his long-standing commitment to the craft of comedy and theater [15][16]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses how Chen Peisi, at the age of 71, has made a significant comeback in the film industry with his production "The Stage," which has become a box office success despite the challenges posed by capital investment [1] Group 1 - Chen Peisi has mortgaged his property to invest 100 million yuan in the production, showcasing his commitment and belief in the project [1] - The film "The Stage" has emerged as a dark horse in the box office, indicating a strong audience reception and potential for profitability [1] - The article highlights the competitive nature of the film industry and the risks associated with large capital investments, particularly for older filmmakers [1]

Core Insights - The film "The Stage" has achieved over 9 million viewers within 11 days of its release [1] Group 1 - The film's performance indicates strong audience interest and engagement in the current market [1]

Group 1 - The film "731" is scheduled for release on September 18, following a previous postponement due to concerns over graphic content [1][2][3] - The film is produced by multiple provincial propaganda departments and features a storyline centered around the atrocities committed by the Japanese military's Unit 731 during World War II [3] - The summer box office has seen significant success, with total earnings surpassing 6.8 billion yuan as of August 3, with "Nanjing Photo Studio" leading the charts with over 1.4 billion yuan in ticket sales [3][4][6] Group 2 - "Nanjing Photo Studio" has emerged as a strong performer in the summer box office, achieving 1.4 billion yuan in revenue within just nine days of release [4] - "Wanglang Mountain Little Monster" has also performed well, crossing 100 million yuan in ticket sales shortly after its release [5][6] - The overall box office landscape indicates a competitive environment with multiple films vying for audience attention during the summer season [3][4]

Core Insights - The film "The Stage," directed and starred by Chen Peisi, has achieved significant box office success, surpassing 270 million yuan, with projections nearing 600 million yuan, marking it as a standout in the summer film season [3][5] - The film is based on a stage play that has been refined over ten years, performing over 360 shows since its debut in 2015, and has received a high rating of 9.0 on Douban, indicating strong audience appreciation [1][3] - Chen Peisi emphasizes a learning mindset in adapting to new filmmaking technologies and techniques, showcasing a commitment to detail and precision in directing [5][6][12] Film and Industry Context - The film industry has undergone a fundamental transformation from film to digital, with advancements in camera technology and lighting systems, which Chen Peisi acknowledges as a significant change since his last film over 30 years ago [6][17] - "The Stage" stands out in a competitive market without the backing of major stars or IPs, relying instead on a solid script and tight structure, demonstrating the importance of content quality in film success [3][5] - The film's production reflects a blend of traditional theatrical elements and modern cinematic techniques, with Chen Peisi's extensive experience in theater informing his approach to filmmaking [5][8] Creative Process and Directing Style - Chen Peisi prepared an extensive eight-page director's note for the actors, detailing the film's background, character development, and comedic structure, highlighting his meticulous approach to directing [12][14] - The director's hands-on involvement includes personally guiding actors and even demonstrating scenes, which he attributes to his background as an actor, showcasing a unique blend of roles in the creative process [15][20] - The film's narrative structure relies heavily on character actions and interactions, with a focus on maintaining the integrity of the comedic essence throughout the production [9][21]

Core Viewpoint - The film "The Stage," directed and starred by Chen Peisi, marks his return to the big screen after over 30 years, showcasing his adaptation to modern filmmaking techniques while maintaining a commitment to the essence of comedy [1][4][5]. Group 1: Film Overview - "The Stage" has grossed over 270 million yuan, with projections nearing 600 million yuan, emerging as a surprise hit in the summer box office despite lacking star power or major IP backing [3][4]. - The film is based on a stage play that has been refined over ten years, performing over 360 shows since its debut in 2015, and has received a high rating of 9.0 on Douban [1][3]. Group 2: Creative Process - Chen Peisi has prepared an extensive 8-page director's note for the actors, detailing the film's background, style, character development, and the structure of comedy, emphasizing the importance of clarity in their roles [11][12]. - The director's approach involves meticulous attention to detail, including discussions about specific actions, such as which foot a character should step with first, reflecting his commitment to authenticity in performance [17][18]. Group 3: Adaptation to New Technology - The film industry has undergone significant changes, transitioning from film to digital, and Chen Peisi has embraced this evolution, viewing the filming of "The Stage" as a learning process [5][6][15]. - He has expressed a sense of wonder at the rapid advancements in technology, which have transformed the filmmaking landscape [6][15]. Group 4: Artistic Philosophy - Chen Peisi believes that while theater and film are distinct forms, a well-structured play can successfully transition to film, as evidenced by the solid foundation of "The Stage" [7]. - His dedication to comedy stems from a deep-rooted passion for the craft, where he finds excitement in discovering new techniques and building comedic logic through character interactions [14].

Core Insights - The article discusses the film "The Stage" directed by Chen Peisi, which has been highly anticipated after a 32-year wait for his return to cinema [2][50] - The film's release was delayed due to competition from other films that were suddenly moved up in schedule, limiting available screening slots for "The Stage" [3][4] - Despite its artistic value, "The Stage" faces significant competition from films with larger marketing teams and star-studded casts [4][5] Summary by Sections - **Film Background** - "The Stage" is based on a well-received play that has toured extensively, achieving a high rating of 9.2 on Douban and selling out every performance [6] - The narrative reflects the struggles of artists in a chaotic historical context, focusing on the interplay between past and present [7][10] - **Artistic Themes** - The film explores the absurdity of art being manipulated by those in power, showcasing how artists often have to compromise their integrity for survival [26][36] - Characters in the film, such as the male lead Feng Xiaotong, embody the tension between artistic integrity and the demands of authority [41][46] - **Cultural Commentary** - The article draws parallels between the historical context of the film and contemporary issues in the entertainment industry, highlighting the challenges faced by artists today [56][58] - It critiques the current entertainment landscape, where individuals with little understanding of art often dictate terms to creators, reflecting a broader societal issue [56][59] - **Character Analysis** - Feng Xiaotong is portrayed as a resilient character who stands up against authority while also considering the well-being of his troupe [41][42] - The film's antagonist, the warlord, represents the corrupting influence of power on art, as he imposes his will on the theater [55] - **Overall Impact** - "The Stage" serves as a reflection of Chen Peisi's insights into the relationship between individuals and art, emphasizing the enduring relevance of the original play [50][54]