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The University Days of a Dog
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Wikipedia article
, (director), , Qian Zhijun, and Jinling Worker's Theater in Nanjing
'The University Days of a Dog' (Chinese: , Pinyin: 'Yzh Gu de Dxu Shgung' Abbreviation: 'Yzh Gu'"[http://ent.qq.com/a/20101108/000193.htm ]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20171018000214/http://ent.qq.com/a/20101108/000193.htm Archive]) Tencent QQ Entertainment News. November 8, 2010. Retrieved on January 13, 2012. " 117" and "") is a 2010 Chinese comedy film."[http://www.cnetnews.com.cn/2010/0813/1848509.shtml 80]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130301083048/http://cnetnews.com.cn/2010/0813/1848509.shtml Archive]) CNET News. August 13, 2010. Retrieved on January 13, 2012. "" is the Chinese word for comedy. The director is (), and the lead actor is Joker Xue ( Xue Zhiqian). The run time is 96 minutes."[http://family.pconline.com.cn/szjtzt/movie/dp/1008/2205909.html ]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20100904073408/http://family.pconline.com.cn/szjtzt/movie/dp/1008/2205909.html Archive]) PCOnline. Retrieved on January 12, 2012. "96" It was produced by the
Beijing Shengshi Bang Wei Culture Media Co., LTD (Chinese: Pinyin: 'Bijng Shngsh Bngwi Wnhu Chunmi Yuxingngs')."[http://m.entgroup.cn/589570/ (2010)]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152941/http://m.entgroup.cn/589570/ Archive]) Entgroup. Retrieved on January 13, 2012.
Production
The filming began on Tuesday January 26, 2010 in Beijing. The director Lu Zhengyu, and two of the main actors, Joker Xue () and (), attended a press conference that promoted the film. The filming was scheduled to conclude in February 2010, and the film was originally scheduled for release in April 2010. The companies Hewlett-Packard and Tudou sponsored the film."[http://www.chinanews.com/it/2010/12-24/2745189.shtml (2)]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013408/http://www.chinanews.com/it/2010/12-24/2745189.shtml Archive]) 'China News Service'. December 24, 2010. Retrieved on January 12, 2012. "20112011"
Plot
A Labrador retriever saves the lives of six students who are undergoing pre-university military training. The students keep the dog and name the dog "Sunny." Four years later, they are about to graduate from university when Sunny goes missing. The students go on a trip to look for the dog and rediscover themselves.
Themes
The cast members stated that they intended to make a film that reflected the lifestyles of young people born in the 1980s. Lead actor Joker Xue said that people in his generation were "in the phase of struggling for a better life. They have dreams and plans for their future, although some even don't know what their lives will be. I'm right now in this very phase, so I happily received the offer right after the director invited me to join the team."
The review of the news website 'Da Hangzhou' ( 'D Hngzhu') said that four elements were discussed in the film: '80hurn' (80), or Chinese people born in the 1980s, weddings with no material foundations (no cars, dowries, receptions, rings, etc.), the second generation (i.e. fuerdai, children of entrepreneurs who made their wealth in the 1980s via the Deng Xiaoping-era reforms), and dreams."[http://news.dahangzhou.com/210192.html 93]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130515061911/http://news.dahangzhou.com/210192.html Archive]) 'Da Hangzhou' (). Hangzhou YiTian Network Technology Co., Ltd. (). September 3, 2010. Retrieved on January 13, 2012. "80"
Distribution
theater
The premiere was held in Beijing on August 12, 2010."[http://news.mtime.com/2010/08/13/1438644.html 80]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130507235745/http://news.mtime.com/2010/08/13/1438644.html Archive]) Beijing Star Daily () at MTIME. August 13, 2010. Retrieved on January 12, 2012. " 80" The premiere took place at the Megabox Sanlitun theater (, Pinyin: 'Snltn Mijihunl Yng Chng')."[http://it.people.com.cn/GB/119390/118342/201260/12566308.html 80]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232244/http://it.people.com.cn/GB/119390/118342/201260/12566308.html Archive]) 'People's Daily'. August 27, 2010. Retrieved on January 12, 2012. "2010812 " It was given a national release on September 3, 2010."[http://yule.sohu.com/20100904/n274703445.shtml ]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150103162001/http://yule.sohu.com/20100904/n274703445.shtml Archive]) Sohu. September 4, 2011. Retrieved on January 12, 2012. "93" Around the release of the film, the film cast and crew toured around China, making official appearances. On August 31 and September 1 they visited the Shanghai Studio City ( 'Hun Y Yng Chng') theater. On September 2 they visited the Nanjing Jinling Workers Cinema ( 'Jnlng Gngrn Yng Chng'). On September 3 they visited the Hangzhou Xinyuan International Theater ( Pinyin: 'Xnyun Guj Yng Chng') and the Hangzhou Qingchun Yintai Lumire Pavilions (, Pinyin: 'Qngchn Ynti Lmi Yng Chng') theater. On September 4 they visited Shenzhen's Jinyi International Theater and Wuhan's Wanda International Theater, and on September 5 they visited Guangzhou. On September 11 they made an official visit in Beijing."[http://news.mtime.com/2010/08/31/1439781.html ]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130507232724/http://news.mtime.com/2010/08/31/1439781.html Archive]) Mtime. August 31, 2010. Retrieved on January 12, 2012. "8319192939495911" and "" and "II5000IT" 690 digital copies of the film were produced for theatrical distribution."[http://ent.enorth.com.cn/system/2010/08/30/005049881.shtml ]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150103171354/http://ent.enorth.com.cn/system/2010/08/30/005049881.shtml Archive]) Tianjin Enorth Netnews (enorth). August 30, 2010. Retrieved on January 12, 2012. "690"
Cast
The cast members consisted of people born in the 1980s who, by the time of filming in 2010, were young adults.
* Joker Xue (Qijun (, Pinyin: 'Qjn'))
* (Kesai (, Pinyin: 'Ksi'))
* Jiang Luxia (Youzi ( 'Yuzi'))
* Qian Zhijun (Jin Daxiong ( 'Jn Dxing'))"[http://pet.pclady.com.cn/news/1008/596118.html ]." 'pet.PCLady.com.cn'. PCGroup. August 31, 2010. Retrieved on January 15, 2012.
** Daxiong is a character who is loyal, shy, and stingy. He dreams of becoming a chef in his own hotel. He argues with his father regarding promotions. The character engages in a romance with a female kindergarten teacher. QQ Entertainment News said that "the highlight of the film is his journey of self-discovery when he helps find the missing dog. This is where "spirit, spirit" originated from. The greater significance of "spirit, spirit" is that it can guide a group of depressed students into regaining confidence and realising their dreams.""[http://ent.qq.com/a/20100809/000491.htm ]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110817182058/http://ent.qq.com/a/20100809/000491.htm Archive]) QQ Entertainment News. August 8, 2010. Retrieved on January 13, 2012. "" Despite being a son in a wealthy family, Daxiong still wants to be a cook."[http://ent.qq.com/a/20100826/000405.htm ()]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110729011217/http://ent.qq.com/a/20100826/000405.htm Archive]) QQ Entertainment News. August 26, 2010. Retrieved on January 14, 2012.
** Daxiong has several lines that are intended to be humorous. In the film, the character yells "Spirit, spirit, the spirit of manhood!" (, Pinyin: 'Qgi, Qgi, Nnz qgi!') while twitching his face and making an expression intended to be humorous. As a result, the phrase became invoked on blogs and bulletin board services in Mainland China. Lu Zhengyu said that Qian's character is a crucial source of comedy, and many of the comedic scenes are centered on Daxiong.
** This is Qian's first role in portraying romance. In regards to Qian's performance, QQ Entertainment News said "Firstly, it's the influence that Little Fatty has. Seven years ago a photograph can lead to an Internet meme. Seven years later, to put it more accurately, the more mature and better Little Fatty who acted in 'The University Days of a Dog' is no longer the same as before. Based on this point, the phrase "spirit, spirit" coming from him, it's difficult not for him to become popular. This is because his expressions draw laughter. This is similar to Uncle Zhao's comedies."
* (YOYO)
** YOYO is Qijun's girlfriend.
Awards
For his performance in the film, actor Deng Zifei won the "Cutting Edge Male Actor's Award" (S: , Pinyin: 'Xnru Nnynyun Jing') from the Fifth Chinese Young Generation Film Forum (, Pinyin: 'Dwji Huy Qngnin Yngxing Lntn') during the closing ceremony in Beijing on November 7, 2010.
Reception
The QQ Entertainment News stated that despite being a low-budget film, the film became popular before its official release due to its publicity material. The article stated that the "Lu-style nonsensical comedy" and the cast members strengthened the film. An MTime reporter said that, due to the success of the first film, HP plans to increase the investment budget of the sequel to 50 million yuan.
Sina Entertainment posted a review of the film, saying that many people had sympathetic feelings towards the more tragic scenes."[http://ent.sina.com.cn/r/i/2010-09-05/16273076860.shtml ]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055101/http://ent.sina.com.cn/r/i/2010-09-05/16273076860.shtml Archive]) Sina. September 5, 2010. Retrieved on January 13, 2012. "" A review at Sohu said that the dreams of the youth do not seem to make sense."[http://yule.sohu.com/20100812/n274169848.shtml ]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050755/http://yule.sohu.com/20100812/n274169848.shtml Archive]) Sohu. August 12, 2010. Retrieved on January 13, 2012. " "
Notes
References
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