Shanghai (2010 film)
| Shanghai | |
|---|---|
| File:Shanghai poster.jpg Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Mikael Håfström |
| Written by | Hossein Amini |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Benoît Delhomme |
| Edited by | |
| Music by | Klaus Badelt |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | The Weinstein Company |
Release dates |
|
| Country | Template:Film US |
| Language | Mandarin/English |
| Box office | $7,388,371 [1] |
Shanghai is a mystery thriller film directed by Mikael Håfström, starring John Cusack and Gong Li, and produced by Thai film company Living Films. The film released to cinemas first in China on June 17, 2010. A release date in the United States has not been set yet.[2]
Plot
In the months leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, an American man (Cusack) arrives in Shanghai to find his friend Conner recently murdered. After further investigation, Cusack realizes Conner had an affair with Japanese Captain Tanaka's lover, Sumiko. Unconvinced that Sumiko betrayed Conner, he uses the alias Paul Soames, a Nazi-sympathizer/German cover to meet Mr. Lanting (an influential crimelord) and Captain Tanaka. Paul later uncovers numerous photos Conner took, in his darkroom, some of which include Captain Tanaka and his officers. After a few bizarre encounters with Ms. Lanting and Antony Lanting, Paul realizes that Mrs. Lanting secretly leads an anti-Japanese resistence group, while her husband Anthony who is partners with Captain Tanaka's soldiers, is oblivious to this. In investigating his friend's death, he stumbles upon a secret the United States government has been keeping and falls in love in the process.[3]
Cast
- John Cusack as Paul Soames
- Gong Li as Anna Lan-Ting
- Chow Yun-fat as Anthony Lan-Ting
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Connor
- Ken Watanabe as Captain Tanaka
- Rinko Kikuchi as Sumiko
- David Morse[4]
- Franka Potente as German spy[4]
- Andy On
- Race Wong
- Gemma Chan as Shin Shin
- Benedict Wong as Juso Kita
- Dean Alexandrou as Distraught Husband[5]
Production
Shooting was originally intended to be on location in Shanghai, however, due to the controversial time period the film is set in, the Weinstein Company had its permits taken away by the Chinese government one week prior to when filming was scheduled to start. Thus, the film crew had to relocate to Bangkok, Thailand, where an elaborate two-block set was built.[2] Nonetheless, the move proved to be a blessing in disguise, with the movie's Chinese female star, Gong Li, saying it was 'bigger and more beautiful' than the sets in China, and that 'Everything exceeded our imagination... all the movies set in Shanghai in the future can shoot here'[6].
English composer Gabriel Yared was originally hired to do the film's score, but had to back out. Alex Heffes, who is composing the score for The Rite, was then hired but his score was rejected after it was recorded.
At one point, Johnny Depp was interested in the project. John Cusack said once he heard the filmmakers were interested in casting him, he aggressively lobbied for the part.
References
- ^ "Shanghai (2010) Box Office Mojo". Box Office Mojo. 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
- ^ a b ""Shanghai" to Hit Chinese Screens in June". CRIEnglish.com. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ^ Billington, Alex (2007-11-27). "John Cusack and Mikael Hafstrom Together Again in Shanghai". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ a b Kyra Sedgwick Talks 'Closer' Romantic Travails
- ^ Dean Alexandrou
- ^ "Old Shanghai in Bangkok". Straits Times. 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help)
External links
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