Big Shot's Funeral
Big Shot's Funeral (, Mandarin colloquialism for "big shot") is a 2001 Chinese comedy film directed by Feng Xiaogang. It is a New Year's film directed by Chinese director Feng Xiaogang in 2001. It is a black humor comedy film. The film is co-produced by Huayi Brothers Advertising Company, Taihe Films and Columbia Pictures. This film is the fourth collaboration between director Feng Xiaogang and actor Ge You. In the film, the audience can continue to receive the humor of "Feng's language". The film tells the hilarious story of a temporary photographer and  director played by Ge You who become friends and raise money for his friend's funeral. The film won the Best Feature Film Award at China's 25th Hundred Flowers Awards in 2002, and actor Ge You won the Best Actor Award. Plot. World-renowned American film director Don Tyler (played by Donald Sutherland) is shooting a remake of "The Last Emperor" in the Forbidden City, Beijing. The director's assistant Lucy, a Chinese American (Rosamund Kwan), hires a Beijing cameraman named YoYo (Ge You) to shoot a "making of" documentary. The director discovers he has ailing health and is  booted by the film's producer from the shoot. After witnessing a Chinese funeral for the elderly, Tyler tells YoYo he wants to have a similar "comedy funeral". Soon afterward the American director falls into a coma. YoYo is officially allowed to plan Tyler's funeral and he enlists the help of a businessman friend to attract as many sponsors as the funeral process would permit. An internationally renowned director, Taylor, chose China as the location for his new film. Unexpectedly, there are unforeseen circumstances, and Taylor cannot afford to be ill during the filming. Seeing that the big  man was dying, everyone decided to organize a decent funeral for him. As a result, Youyou, a laid-off photographer from the film studio, and Louis Wang, a dull and pedantic businessman, took up the job. For a time, the funeral of the biggest name became the focus of all media attention, and no one was willing to miss such a great business opportunity. Taylor was taken to the hospital by ambulance, and before leaving, he said to Youyou: "Don't forget, I need a comedy funeral." The doctor said to Youyou and Lucy, who were standing outside the emergency  room, "The patient's life is irreversible, and the family can prepare for the funeral." According to Taylor's wishes, Tony decided to give Youyou the sole discretion of Taylor's funeral. Youyou took over the job with a chivalrous attitude. He found help from Louis Wang, an old classmate who owned a performance company and claimed to have organized many large-scale concerts. King Louis couldn't believe his ears, he slapped Youyou on the shoulder and said, "I'll give you a commission!" The news of Tyler's death is a rare business opportunity for Tony, the Japanese  producer and King Louis. Only Youyou and Lucy face this matter with simple emotions. According to King Louis's plan, Taylor will hold a "rich and colorful program, similar to the Spring Festival Gala, Happy Camp, Happy General Mobilization, and at the same time a little like a disaster relief charity performance. The funeral will be broadcast live on TV to the world." The more than 3 million funeral expenses for You You and Lucy are not available, but King Louis is very happy. He can find someone to pay, but the person who pays the money has his own  request. Therefore, the performance company wanted to make the newly signed actress "next to" Taylor famous, and many companies did not hesitate to spend a lot of money to advertise products at the funeral. "Dead Taylor" became a money-making machine in their eyes. Just when everyone was dreaming of making a fortune, on this day, Lucy visited Taylor in the ward and was pleasantly surprised to find that Taylor had come back from death. Tony and Taylor decided to block the news and let the "play" continue. At the advertising auction, the price of funeral advertisements soared, and the  solemn portrait of Taylor was also designed as an advertising carrier, rolling from top to bottom like a wave of water, turning into a brightly colored "ridiculous" fitness drink advertisement. Tony and Tyler are leisurely smoking cigars in the hospital, waiting for the outcome of the show. Almost every detail of the funeral was advertised, and every part of Taylor's "body" was fully utilized. Even the makers of counterfeit products were reluctant to lose this great business opportunity. Money, more and more, King Louis is very motivated...   When everyone's dream of making a fortune reached its climax, the  news of Taylor's recovery poured on people's heads like a basin of cold water. King Louis couldn't stand this unexpected blow and became mentally ill. Youyou didn't know how to face many advertisers and pretended to be sick and was admitted to a mental hospital... After this farce, You and Lu deepened their understanding of each other and met a spark of love. The film ends with the two hugging and kissing. Soundtrack. 'Idiot' (白痴/bái chī) from Faye Wong's 2001 album Faye Wong is the theme song.   The best Asian film(nominate)   Best feature film    Best actor： Ge you   Best supporting actor：Ying Da   Best actor:Ge you   Best film(nominate)   Best director:Feng xiao gang(nominate)   Award for best Viewing Effect   Most popular actor for college student:Ge you Since 2002.1.07, after showing on the screen only 10 days the film has already reached 10 millions dollars which collected by the box office(only in Beijing),The entire county was 33 million and more. = Interview of director: = Reporter:Why you decide to produce this film? Feng:(laugh) Because in one time I was talking with director Chen Kaifeng.When we mentioned about kurosawa akira’s funeral I make  a joke with him.I said that If I have a chance to make your funeral.I will introduce a lot of people to join and ask for many advertising sponsorship.To make it like a big fest.Since than we talk about this joke many times.It finally become a complete idea then we make this film. Reporter:What do you want to tell to the audiance? Feng:I do not want to tell anything to the audiance.I just think that will be interesting It is a conflict to the traditional mortal norm and social value.More like  a rebellion to the traditional things.However because it is a commandy,so I believe that the audiance will accept it for sure.Just like a cannon which covered by sugar. Reporter:What is the function of advertisement? Feng:We all influenced by the ads.In TV,or on the street.They almost everywhere in our life.Many people we consume by the influence of the advertising.But it is jus a production of business.They just appear in some place where they should not appear in our modern society.That is what I want to satire.   The positive advertisement  is acceptable.But some abnormal advertisement should not.For a film the most important thing is delivery happy to the audiance rather than solve a problem.It is enough for a film to deal with one certain question.   A film should not only have its recreational value but also should have its cognitive value.   Ge you is a good actor and we have already work together for more than 4 films.So I trust in his ability to control this kind of film.Altough he is an actor which meet the requirement of main theme.However I think he should  keeping his characters of being unique. Reporter:We know that in this film the foreign actors were just cooprate with local actor together.So do you think they have a same comprehension about your style? Feng:Well,I think that is not a big issue.They just work as good as they can.I was worried about that initially.However such problem was not appeared at all.Especially Donald.I think he is excellent and expertise.He give us a lot of very important advices and also makes the character of him more vivid. Reporter:As an international director now ,do you ever consider about to learn English? Feng:To be honest I don’t have enough time to learn it for a long time.However I can understand some basic words.So it is enough for me to tell the actors what to do. Reporter:I heard that there was some healthy issue when you make this film? Feng:Yes,my heart do have some problem during that time.So it makes me feel bad.And I decided to do more sports and avoid such situations happen again. = References =