Against the Current Hong Kong 1979

Chapter 123 The media raved about Zhang Shuai'an to the skies (Please subscribe)

While "Chasing Girls" was a box office hit, it also received rave reviews from various media outlets, including newspapers and magazines.

"Zhang Sheng was only nineteen years old. Although he had already gained fame from two hit TV dramas and had also participated in the production of two films, 'Chasing Girls' was his first film as both director and actor."

I had assumed his directorial debut would be somewhat awkward, but it turned out to be a comedy with a smooth plot and plenty of laughs. His solid screenwriting skills and lively acting are truly breathtaking.

"Chasing Girls" is full of laughs, with a fast pace like a galloping horse. The "Snowflakes Falling" coffee shop scene is particularly interesting, with Shek Tin's ugly behavior and On Jai's handsome face complementing each other perfectly, capturing the essence of "contrast humor".

Unfortunately, its views on love and romance are somewhat frivolous. However, the innovative dance moves and unique soundtrack already demonstrate a fusion of Eastern and Western styles. The younger generation is promising; this is the new blood that Hong Kong films should be producing.

A quote from Jin Yong's *Ming Pao Supplement*: "My Thoughts on Zhang Sheng's *Chasing Girls*".

"The film *Chasing Girls*, though ostensibly about pursuing women, actually reflects the romantic dilemmas faced by contemporary urban youth. Roberto's repeated rejections highlight the hardships of survival for ordinary people; the female executive's choice to keep her options open while looking for something better subtly satirizes how capitalism has alienated human emotions."

However, Zhang Shuai'an's lack of skill lies in his failure to delve deeper into these themes. His shift to depicting romantic entanglements with "seven beauties" smacks of objectifying women. His so-called innovative dance steps are merely entertainment gimmicks, unable to conceal his shallow thinking. It's truly a pity.

—Wenhui Daily's "Literature and Art Talk" column: [Starting with "Chasing Girls," let's discuss social issues]

"Ah! Chasing Girls is so good it's explosive! Zhang Shuai'an's dance moves are so cool it's unbeatable! I watched it on the day of the premiere and immediately fell in love with it. I went home and tried to learn it myself, but unfortunately I couldn't get the essence of it, so I had to buy a ticket and watch it several more times."

I must say, it's a really good movie. Shi Tian is ugly and pathetic, but he's quite sincere. Zhang Shuai'an is handsome and fit, and his smile is irresistible to women! Deborah is seductive, Zhao Yazi is charming, Rosamund Kwan is coquettish, Cherie Chung is pure, Miao Kexiu is aloof, Liza Wang is proud—and Fei Fei is quite cute.

The joint release of "Chasing Girls" by Golden Harvest and Golden Princess was a huge success. It's a bit strange that Shaw Brothers didn't screen it; Shawn Yue missed out this time!

—Oriental Daily News, [The blockbuster film "Chasing Girls" is coming, with dance moves that amaze Hong Kong]

"The success of 'Chasing Girls' is due not only to Cheung Sau-on's script and his good looks, but also to two other indispensable contributors: Chan Hsun-chi's score and Cheung Yiu-chung's editing. The film, which is over ninety minutes long, is packed with jokes, with bursts of laughter almost every three to five minutes."

The director's direction is still somewhat immature. For example, the long take in the coffee shop, while seemingly showing off his skills, actually reveals his lack of experience and appears somewhat stiff, relying entirely on editing to maintain the scene. Also, Zhang Shuai'an is too handsome and appears overly aloof, unlike Shi Tian who is more natural.

However, the scene where they caught the adulterer was truly brilliant. Both the character direction and the camera work were incredibly powerful, demonstrating Zhang Shuai'an's exceptional talent and promising future!

Shu Qi, in *Film Biweekly*, wrote: "In *Chasing Girls*, instead of chasing fame and fortune, why not pursue film?"

Tianxia Film Studio, the boss's office.

Zhang Shi'an carefully flipped through the newspapers, finding both praise and criticism quite enjoyable.

This is the taste of fame and fortune; it's truly intoxicating.

"Uncle, this newspaper even says you're the number one person in Hong Kong cinema!"

He Jiatong also held a newspaper in her hand and read it to Zhang Shuai'an: "Zhang Shuai'an has only been swimming for less than half a year, but he has already starred in two popular TV series and participated in two movies."

Now, his self-written, self-directed and self-acted film "Chasing Girls" has once again set off a movie-watching frenzy. It is conceivable that the box office will eventually surpass Jackie Chan's "Young Master", and may even break the record of 20 million in box office. This is truly an unprecedented achievement, and he can be regarded as the number one person in Hong Kong cinema at present!

Even directors like Chang Cheh and King Hu, despite making films their entire careers, could hardly match his box office success.

"Which newspaper wrote this?" Zhang Shuai'an was not pleased by the praise; instead, he frowned slightly.

He Jiatong replied, "The Overseas Chinese Daily."

"Hmph, their intentions are despicable!" Zhang Shuai'an sneered. This newspaper was clearly trying to ruin him by praising him. "I will no longer subscribe to this newspaper and will cut off all ties with it."

He Jiadan didn't understand, but didn't ask any further questions. She simply nodded and said, "I understand."

He continued, "There are a few that directly insult you, so I won't read them, and I won't order them anymore."

"It's fine if they criticize me, they can keep it." Zhang Shuai'an waved his hand and said calmly, "Now that we're famous, it's inevitable that some people will target us. As the saying goes, it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Everyone should be careful and cautious in their words and actions. Let's focus on making the new movie."

"Brother An, I've got some ideas for the new movie."

Upon hearing this, Fatty Wang immediately said, "This is something Ah Yao and I discussed together. It's written here. Take a look."

As he spoke, he handed over a manuscript with the title "Thirty-Six Strategies for Pursuing Women" on the cover.

The story is about a Cantonese opera troupe facing bankruptcy. In order to revitalize the troupe, the troupe leader (the male lead) joins forces with a martial arts actor, a clown, and a musician to approach four fashionable women from different social classes (a businesswoman, a female reporter, a female student, and a female nurse). They attempt to gain funding or fame through "romance" and then win back the audience with a grand performance.

Four parallel yet intertwined storylines of pursuing women ultimately led to the failure of a meticulously planned joint performance, which unexpectedly resulted in success, and all four couples happily came together, a truly joyous ending.

The script is well-designed, depicting a fierce clash between traditional opera culture and modern urban life, and a conflict between genuine emotions and utilitarian motives.

The role reversal design was mostly Wang Pangzi's doing; while turning Cantonese opera kung fu into a joke about chasing girls was probably Huang Bingyao's design.

Zhang Shuai'an nodded: "This is a pretty good idea; it can be written into a script."

Wang Pangzi and Huang Bingyao's eyes lit up, and they both looked at Zhang Shuai'an.

"You two want to be directors?" Zhang Shuai'an saw the longing in their eyes.

Fatty Wang really wanted to be a director, so he said, "I want to give it a try, but you said before, Brother An, that Chen Xunqi would be the director."

Zhang Shuai'an said, "If you want to be a director, I believe Brother Qi would definitely be willing to let you have it."

"Then I want to be it!" Fatty Wang gritted his teeth and said, "I've toiled at Shaw Brothers for so many years, always waiting for a chance to prove myself. Unfortunately, there are too many directors there; I don't know how many more years it will take before it's my turn. Brother An, do you believe I can be a director?"

Zhang Shuai'an patted him on the shoulder with a smile: "Of course I believe in you! And I believe you'll definitely be a top-grossing director in the future!"

"Thank you so much, Brother An." Fatty Wang was almost in tears; his vow to die for a true friend was no joke.

Zhang Shuai'an looked at Huang Bingyao: "Brother Yao, what about you?"

Huang Bingyao waved his hands repeatedly: "Don't look at me, I've never thought about being a director, that's too tiring. I'll just be a screenwriter and help Jingzai out."

Zhang Shuai'an said, "Alright then. Let Brother Qi be your producer."

Heart