SHANGHAI CALLING China Release Date Announced

SHANGHAI CALLING, the surprise hit of the 2012 Shanghai International Film Festival, will be released in movie theaters across China on August 10.

China Film Co., Ltd., the China distributor of the film, announced the release date in a statement yesterday.  The studio hopes to capitalize on the positive critical and audience response at the Shanghai International Film Festival, where SHANGHAI CALLING won Media Awards for Best New Actor (Daniel Henney) and Best Screenwriter (Daniel Hsia). The picture was also nominated for Best New Actress (Eliza Coupe), Best Director, and Best Film.

“This movie was a labor of love for the entire cast and crew.  We’re immensely pleased that audiences in China will soon be able to watch SHANGHAI CALLING in theaters,” said producer Janet Yang.

When asked why the film struck a chord at the Shanghai International Film Festival, writer-director Daniel Hsia replied, “Because it’s a movie about what’s happening in China today. Locals and foreigners working together, having misunderstandings and disagreements, but ultimately learning to get along. I think young Chinese audiences find it refreshing and relatable.”

Hsia also hopes that American expatriates in China will be among those to see the film. “Many of my expat friends have been living in China for years, and they’ve never been to a movie theater here,” said Hsia. “It’s crazy. Go, see SHANGHAI CALLING on the big screen with all of your friends. You’ll have a great time.”

SHANGHAI CALLING, which also stars Bill Paxton, Zhu Zhu, and Geng Le, can be seen in the U.S. at the Stony Brook Film Festival and the Asian American International Film Festival in New York later this month.