Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 550, Section 548: Movie-Watching Frenzy

Saturday, September 2004, 7.

The morning sunlight streamed through the blinds and fell on the desks in an office building in Beijing.

Lin Xiaoyue, a 25-year-old white-collar worker, rubbed her slightly sore eyes and her fingers flew across the keyboard.

She wasn't at work; instead, she was on the Maoyan Movies forum, eagerly sharing her experience of watching Twilight the previous night.

[Maoyan Movies - Film and Television Discussion Area - Twilight Special Edition]

Post title: [After watching Twilight, I couldn't sleep a wink all night; my mind was filled with Edward and Bai Xiaochai!]

Posted by: Moonlight Girl
时间： 2004-07-10 08:28
Contents:

Last night's premiere in the IMAX theater was almost full, and it felt like 80% of the seats were filled with girls! The atmosphere was incredibly lively even before the movie started!

I must say, I was worried that the East-meets-West mix would feel awkward after watching the trailer, but I was completely wrong! The movie is amazing! Fan Xiaopang's portrayal of Bai Xiaochai (Bella) is so relatable!

She's not the kind of naive heroine waiting to be rescued. Her portrayal of the alienation and independent strength she displays as she moves from Shanghai to that rainy little town in Canada is exceptional. And she's so beautiful! That understated, Eastern beauty, combined with Robert Pattinson's pale, melancholic, aristocratic handsomeness, creates an amazing chemistry!

The plot is much richer than I expected! Edward's initial resistance and attraction to Bai Xiaochai, that "your blood is both poison and nectar to me" setting, is so captivating.

The scene in the restaurant where they first looked at each other, with the camera switching back and forth between them, their eyes locked in a long, drawn-out gaze, almost made my heart stop!
Later, Edward used his superpowers to save Bai Xiaochai from being hit by a car. That slow-motion shot was incredibly touching, and many girls in our theater were quietly screaming.

What surprised me the most was the romance! After Bai Xiaochai learned that Edward was a vampire, although she was afraid, she wanted to understand him more and even took the initiative to get closer to him.

It's not the kind of "I'm so afraid you'll leave," but rather the courage of "Even if you're not human, I choose to love you." This inclusiveness and steadfastness, imbued with Eastern philosophy, makes this forbidden love particularly profound. It's far more sophisticated than those overly saccharine romance films!
And then there's Jacob the werewolf! Sunny and energetic, he silently protects the female lead. Childhood sweethearts versus a vampire who suddenly appears – this trope will never go out of style!

The ending is at the ball, Edward is shining in the sunlight, and Bai Xiaochai looks at him with love, worry, and determination in her eyes… Ahhh, I'm so left wanting more! Why isn't there a second season?!
I heard the original novel was written by Wang Sheng, and that it contains more details? I bought a copy right after the movie at the theater counter! Are there any sisters who have read the book who can give me some spoilers?
Reply to this post:

1st Floor (Coffee Without Sugar): First! Same here! I was so excited after watching it last night that I couldn't sleep. When Edward said, "You are the only prey I can't resist in my life," I was completely blown away! Fan Bingbing's acting has really improved this time; he captured Bai Xiaochai's calm yet stubborn nature perfectly.

2nd Floor (Vampire Knight): The original poster is right! The emotional storyline in this film is handled very delicately, not just endless sweetness. Edward's struggles and Bai Xiaochai's bravery are both very touching. I'm already planning to watch it twice! Also, the soundtrack is amazing; I've been listening to the theme song "Eternal Twilight" on repeat.

3rd Floor (Gossip Guru): I heard it was released in North America yesterday, and the reaction is phenomenal! Lots of people are talking about how beautiful Fan Bingbing is, praising her as an "Oriental Pearl" and a "divine face that breaks down beauty barriers." Fan Bingbing has truly gone international this time!
Floor 4 (A bookworm): Raise your hand if you bought the book! The book does indeed contain many details that weren't shown in the movie, such as more of Bai Xiaochai's inner monologues, some thoughts from Edward's perspective, and some background stories of other members of the Cullen family. Wang Sheng's writing is excellent, the descriptions are very detailed, highly recommended!

5th Floor (Rational View): Objectively speaking, the film's production quality is very high; the cinematography, soundtrack, costumes, and props are all excellent. The vampire's "diamond skin" special effects are beautifully done. Although the core is still a youth fantasy romance, the script, after polishing, has a more solid logic and character motivations than most similar films. A blockbuster in the making.

……

Discussions like "Moonlight Girl" are taking place enthusiastically on Maoyan Movies and other emerging online communities and QQ groups.

The film precisely hit the mark with young audiences, especially young women, who have fantasies about romance, fantasy, forbidden love, and a powerful and affectionate male protagonist.

Fan Xiaopang's portrayal of Bai Xiaochai (Bella) has quickly made her an idol for a new generation of female viewers due to her more proactive and independent thinking qualities, as well as Fan Xiaopang's own image that blends Eastern beauty with international flair.

Compared to the "savage" character in "My Sassy Girl," this time "Bai Xiaochai" is more complex, more three-dimensional, and more relatable. Her influence has quickly transcended the film and television industry, impacting fields such as fashion and beauty.

Meanwhile, cinemas were also packed with visitors.

At major China Film Grand Cinemas in Beijing, the screening schedule for "Twilight" is almost always full.

The queue to enter was long and winding, with many people coming for a "second" or "third" visit after seeing the initial positive reviews.

Next to the cinema counter, there are piles of well-made movie merchandise—posters with Edward and Bai Xiaochai's profiles, character keychains, Q-version T-shirts, and the best-selling paperback novel "Twilight" by Wang Sheng.

The novel's cover prominently displays the tagline: "Details left unfinished in the film, the complete world of the original novel. Unveiling Edward's One Hundred Years of Solitude, deeply depicting Bai Xiaochai's courageous choices. Many more hidden plots are only revealed in the book."

Many viewers who are still wanting more after watching the movie will buy a copy, eager to fill in the imaginative space beyond the images and explore the deeper inner world of the characters through the text.

Bookstores and newsstands also placed the book in the most prominent positions, and sales soared along with the movie's popularity.

...This "Twilight" craze is not limited to mainland China.

In a cinema in Times Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, young men and women marveled at the scene where Edward displayed his superpowers.
In Taipei's Ximending movie district, the topic of "the love between a vampire and a Chinese international student" dominated the entertainment headlines.

In Japan and South Korea, giant advertisements featuring Fan Xiaopang appeared on the streets of Shibuya in Tokyo and Myeongdong in Seoul. Her Eastern face portrayed a Western fantasy story, bringing a novel cultural collision experience and sparking widespread discussion and popularity.

Cinemas in Singapore, Malaysia, and other places were also packed with people.

In the East Asian cultural sphere, Twilight, with its excellent production, universal emotional themes, and the star power of Vin Diesel, successfully created a powerful "Twilight storm".

……

While the Eastern Hemisphere was immersed in a new day of movie-watching frenzy and heated discussions, the Western Hemisphere's celebration was just beginning.

On Friday, July 9th, US time, Twilight was released simultaneously in major North American and European markets from afternoon to evening.

New Line Cinema's massive advertising campaign exploded on this day.

In Times Square, New York, movie trailers played on a giant electronic screen, with images of Fan Bingbing and Robert Pattinson gazing lovingly at each other in the rainforest attracting countless passersby to stop and watch.

In front of the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, movie fans lined up, eager to be among the first to see this film, which the media has called "the most heart-fluttering fantasy romance of the summer."

The North American publicity focused primarily on two gimmicks: "a high-concept forbidden love in youth" and "the stunning first beauty of the East".

Entertainment media outlets used enticing headlines such as "A Forbidden Love That Will Bite You" and "The Most Dangerous Addiction is Love" to attract attention.

The film is described as a “deadly waltz about blood, immortality, and love,” and is precisely marketed to teen and young adult audiences.

Fan Xiaopang, on the other hand, is packaged as a mysterious and charming Eastern symbol. Her beauty, temperament, and the "calmness and strength that is different from the usual Hollywood sweethearts" that she shows in the film have become another huge highlight besides the fantasy romance.

The North American premiere also received a warm reception.

Despite different cultural backgrounds, teenagers share a common fascination with romance and the supernatural. Edward's extraordinary charm, the secrets of the vampire family, the age-old feud between werewolves and vampires, and the core theme of "forbidden love" quickly captured the hearts of young audiences.

Fan Xiaopang's performance received a lot of positive reviews. Film critics and audiences believed that she "gave Bella a unique depth and charm" and that "her performance made this cross-cultural romance seem believable and touching."

The first-day feedback from major European voting blocs such as the UK, France, and Germany was also quite positive.

With its unique visual style, gripping storyline, and emotional resonance that transcends cultural boundaries, Twilight has shown early signs of becoming a global blockbuster.

……

the other side.

Although limited by technology and infrastructure, the nationwide cinema online ticketing system, jointly developed by the Film Special Fund Office and Tencent, could not yet provide real-time and accurate statistics on national box office data as it would in later years. The specific figures for the first day required a certain amount of time to be compiled and verified.

But this cannot overshadow the sensation that Twilight has already caused.

Local newspapers and entertainment weekly magazines published reports on their front pages or as the headline of their entertainment sections:

"The premiere of 'Twilight' ignited a movie-watching frenzy, with long queues at theaters witnessing the magical night!"

"Fan Xiaopang's amazing transformation, 'Bai Xiaocha' sweeps across Asia and becomes a global phenomenon!"

"A fantasy romance storm has arrived, and Twilight has become a new favorite among young viewers!"

"Theatrical merchandise is sold out, the original novel is sold out, and the 'Twilight' phenomenon is beginning to emerge!"

The report quoted feedback from cinema managers across the country: "The occupancy rate exceeded 90%", "Tickets were sold out half an hour before the start of the movie", and "The audience was mainly young couples and female viewers, and the response was extremely enthusiastic".

(End of this chapter)