Trinity CineAsia has acquired the UK distribution rights to “Being Towards Death,” the latest feature from “Chinatown” director Chen Shichen and one of mainland China’s first light-hearted comedies, which will be released at select Odeon venues on June 5.
Rights acquired from Blossoms Entertainment. The film was screened in the main competition section of the Beijing International Film Festival and was released in mainland China on May 1st.
For Chen, who is primarily known for his work in commercial suspense thrillers such as the “Chinatown” series, “Lost in the Stars” and “Sheep Without a Shepherd,” this Mandarin production is also his first foray into comedy-drama, making it a notable shift. The film follows Xiaobin, who falls into debt after losing his family and surviving a suicide attempt, takes a job providing psychological support to patients in Ward 10 of a cancer ward. As he is drawn into the patient’s final wishes and impulsive adventures, his trading arrangements gradually change, culminating in a road trip in a repurposed ambulance.
The ensemble cast is led by Rocket Girls 101 talent competition veterans Jiang Long, Qi Xi, and Yang Chaoyue, along with Wang Zichuan, Zhang Chi, Cao Bingkun, Huang Yi, and Ye Quanxi. Veteran actor Ni Dahong and comedian Tsai Ming appear in special roles, and sixth-generation directors Jia Zhangke and Guan Fu make cameos.
“We have worked with Chen Xichen many times and have followed his evolution from tentpole comedy series to more intimate dramas, from witty remakes to near-horror thrillers. It’s a pleasure and an absolute pleasure to work with him, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be able to present his new, highly original and quirky comedy.”In the UK, we are “dying”,” said Cedric Behrer, managing director of Trinity CineAsia.
The production companies are Beijing ASONE Pictures, Maoyan Pictures, and Kunshan Zhouzhuang Shuangqiao Film Co., Ltd.
