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E-mail China.org.cn, October 7, 2024
A new crime thriller, "Welcome to the Game," captivated audiences with its multilayered plot twists during advanced screenings in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Oct. 5.
The cast and crew of "Welcome to the Game" pose for a photo at an advance screening event in Wuhan, Hubei province, Oct. 5, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Lian Ray Pictures]
Directed by Zhang Zhe and starring Peng Yuchang and Hu Bingqing, the film is the latest Chinese adaptation of renowned Japanese novelist Keigo Higashino's "The Name of the Game is a Kidnapping." It follows a cunning, poor young man desperate to improve his fortunes. He becomes embroiled in a debt dispute with a casino boss and, amid desperation, encounters the boss's runaway daughter. Together, they embark on a dangerous scheme of "fake kidnapping, real scam."
The story features sensational elements such as organ trading, kidnapping, extortion and gambling, along with the psychological maneuvering of the three main characters.
"In this gamble, no one is a true winner," said director Zhang. "All three characters sit at the gaming table with their own goals, but at the same time, they also lose the most important things."
At a post-screening Q&A session, the film's creators urged viewers to avoid gambling, emphasizing that while each round may seem like a game, what's truly at stake is life itself.
Both lead actors, Peng Yuchang and Hu Bingqing, deliver career-defining performances. Peng portrays a struggling, cunning young man who outsmarts a powerful boss, while Hu plays a wealthy young woman constrained by her family yet yearning for freedom.
During the Q&A, Peng shared that both characters are like "two chess pieces that eventually want to become chess players." Hu added that her character appears as "bait," but is also a "predator."
A poster of "Welcome to the Game." [Image courtesy of Lian Ray Pictures]
The complex relationship between the two characters, marked by psychological tension and mutual manipulation, is a highlight of the film. Peng expressed hope that the film's "ambiguity" will leave audiences with room for diverse interpretations.
Director Zhang emphasized the intricate dynamics between the main characters, describing it as a "mutual hunting" relationship. "From beginning to end," he hinted, "this game might not have completely finished."
"Welcome to the Game" concludes its advance screenings on Oct. 7, wrapping up a three-day run during China's National Day holiday. The film is set for nationwide release on Oct. 12.
