Home | Movies By Year | Movies from 2016
Xuanzang (film)
Buy Xuanzang (film) now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the movie. And once you've experienced the movie, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
{{Infobox film
| image = Xuanzang2016.jpg
| caption =
| name = Xuanzang
| native_name=
| director = Huo Jianqi
| producer = Wong Kar-wai
| writer = Zou Jingzhi
| based_on =
| starring = Huang Xiaoming
| music =
| cinematography = Sun Ming, Satish Bhargav
| editing =
| production_companies = China Film Corporation
Eros International
| distributor = China Film Group Corporation
| released =
| runtime = 115 minutes
| country = China
| language = Mandarin
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'Xuanzang' or 'Xuan Zang' is a 2016 Chinese-Indian historical adventure film based on Xuanzang's seventeen-year overland journey to India during the Tang dynasty in the seventh century. The film is directed by Huo Jianqi and produced by Wong Kar-wai. It stars Huang Xiaoming, Kent Tong, Purba Rgyal, Sonu Sood and Tan Kai. It was released in China and India on 29 April 2016, with distribution in China by China Film Group Corporation. It was selected as the Chinese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards but was not nominated. 'Xuan Zang' was screened at the 2nd Annual Asian World Film Festival on 31 October 2016 in Culver City.
Plot
During the Tang Dynasty's era of "Zhen Guan" (of Emperor Taizong), Xuan Zang, a young Buddhist monk, in his quest to find the knowledge in Buddhism, embarks on a journey to India, that is fraught with perils and dangers. He encounters natural disasters, and sees the sufferings of the common people. Soldiers get in his way, his disciple betrays him, he struggles through deserts, and is short on food and water. He finally arrives in India, and studies Buddhism in earnest. By the time he returns to China, he is 50 years old.
This film is based on a folk tale told by Wu Ch'eng-en and translated by Arthur Waley in his allegorical book 'Monkey' published by Allen and Unwin Ltd in 1942. According to Waley, Wu Ch'eng-en lived between AD 1505 and 1580. Hsuan Tsang (Xuanzang) the monk, is known as Tripitaka in the book, and is a real person who lived in the seventh century AD.
Cast
Soundtrack
*"Heart Sutra" performed by Faye Wong
*"Qiannian Yibore" performed by Huang Xiaoming & Han Lei
Production
On 4 May 2015, the producers held the Sino-Indian Cooperation and Exchange News Briefing Film Conference in Beijing and announced that they would be producing the film with India. The film is being produced by the Chinese state owned production company China Film Corporation and Eros International.
Principal photography began on 6 June 2015, at the Flaming Mountains in Turpan, Xinjiang. Huang Xiaoming played the most important role: Tang dynasty monk Xuanzang.
Filming took place in Turpan region, Changji, Altay, Aksu, Kashi and nearly ten areas of Gansu, India and other cross-border.
Reception
The film grossed on its opening weekend in China.
Awards and nominations
*12th Chinese American Film Festival
**'Golden Angel Award Film'
**'Best Screenwriter'
*31st Golden Rooster Awards
**Nominated Best Cinematography (Sun Ming)
**Nominated Best Sound (Chao Jun)
**Nominated Best Art Direction (Wu Ming)
**Nominated Best Original Music Score (Wang Xiaofeng)
See also
* List of submissions to the 89th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
* List of Chinese submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
Buy Xuanzang (film) now from Amazon
<-- Return to movies from 2016