Starry Starry Night (film)
Encyclopedia
Starry Starry Night is a 2011 Taiwanese fantasy drama film based on an illustrated novel by Taiwanese author Jimmy Liao
. The film is directed by director Tom Lin, and it stars actress Xu Jiao
as Xiao Mei. In addition, actor Lin Hui-min will play the role of Xiao Jie.
Starry Starry Night was first showcased at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival as part of its "New Currents" film category. It was released in Chinese and Taiwanese cinemas on 3 and 4 November 2011 respectively.
One day, Xiao Mei meets Xiao Jie, a problematic child and a new student in her school. They seem to be attracted to each other, and they both share the same make-believe world. Their friendship grows deeper after Mei saves Xiao Jie from bullies.
Suddenly, Xiao Mei's parents announce that they will be divorcing. Upon hearing that, Xiao Mei's world starts to fall apart. She runs away from home, together with Xiao Jie, to visit the small wooden shack that she shared with her grandparents in the past.
, wanted to create a film based on the illustrated novel Starry Starry Night by illustrator and writer Jimmy Liao
. The illustrated novel is one of Lin's favorite book. Initially, Lin planned to create a "small art-house movie" collaboration with Liao.
After the Mainland China distributor Huayi Brothers
picked up the film, it became a Mainland China-Taiwan co-production. Co-productions between Taiwan and China are rare, as such productions are subjected to strict scrutiny by censorship boards. However, the film was described as a "healthy example" of a successful co-production by its director, and its script remained unchanged. The collaboration allowed the film's budget to increase to a total of US$7 million.
.
Tom Lin said that this film was filmed in locations that were "less popular for filmmaking". He added that "We [the film producers] wanted to show a unique side and were careful and strict about every frame and lighting. We wanted perfection.".
Jimmy Liao
Jimmy Liao is a well-known Taiwanese illustrator as well as a picture book writer. The name Jimmy is his English first name which brought about his Chinese pen name, 幾米....
. The film is directed by director Tom Lin, and it stars actress Xu Jiao
Xu Jiao
Xu Jiao is a newcomer actress from China, who is most notable for her comedic performance in the film CJ7. Despite being a girl she played a boy in the film.-Films:*CJ7 as Dicky Chow*Mulan as Young Hua Mulan...
as Xiao Mei. In addition, actor Lin Hui-min will play the role of Xiao Jie.
Starry Starry Night was first showcased at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival as part of its "New Currents" film category. It was released in Chinese and Taiwanese cinemas on 3 and 4 November 2011 respectively.
Plot
Xiao Mei used to live with her grandparents up in the mountains. When she later moves to the city to live with her parents, she finds the place cold and distant as compared to the village she once lived in. She longs for her simple and carefree life in the mountains. She also misses the experience of lying down on a field at night and looking up to the starry night above. Her parents are experiencing work-related stress and are having marriage problems. Mei's only refuge from this uncaring environment is her make-believe world into which she can withdraw into anytime. In this world, blue elephants roam the streets and dragons can be found inside dark alleys.One day, Xiao Mei meets Xiao Jie, a problematic child and a new student in her school. They seem to be attracted to each other, and they both share the same make-believe world. Their friendship grows deeper after Mei saves Xiao Jie from bullies.
Suddenly, Xiao Mei's parents announce that they will be divorcing. Upon hearing that, Xiao Mei's world starts to fall apart. She runs away from home, together with Xiao Jie, to visit the small wooden shack that she shared with her grandparents in the past.
Cast
- Xu JiaoXu JiaoXu Jiao is a newcomer actress from China, who is most notable for her comedic performance in the film CJ7. Despite being a girl she played a boy in the film.-Films:*CJ7 as Dicky Chow*Mulan as Young Hua Mulan...
as Xiao Mei - Lin Hui-min as Xiao Jie
- Harlem YuHarlem YuHarlem Yu was born 28 July 1961. He is a Taiwanese Golden Melody Award singer-songwriter. He was the first artist to experiment with the style of R&B and rap in Chinese music. He has released 14 studio albums. He contribution to the Asian music industry has earned him the reputation of 'God of...
as Mei's father - Rene LiuRené LiuRené Liu was born June 1, 1969. She is a Taiwanese actress and singer. She is the first to win Best Actress awards at the Asia Pacific Movie Festival in both television and film productions...
as Mei's mother - Kwai Lunmei
Development
Director Tom Lin, who made his directorial debut with the 2008 film Winds of SeptemberWinds of September
Winds of September is a 2008 Taiwanese film, set in 1996 in Hsinchu, that focuses on a gang of teenage boys who drink, smoke and gamble, and the relationships between them...
, wanted to create a film based on the illustrated novel Starry Starry Night by illustrator and writer Jimmy Liao
Jimmy Liao
Jimmy Liao is a well-known Taiwanese illustrator as well as a picture book writer. The name Jimmy is his English first name which brought about his Chinese pen name, 幾米....
. The illustrated novel is one of Lin's favorite book. Initially, Lin planned to create a "small art-house movie" collaboration with Liao.
After the Mainland China distributor Huayi Brothers
Huayi Brothers
Huayi Brothers Media is a movie producer and record label, founded in China in 1994 by two brothers Huang Zhongjun and Huang Zhonglei.-History:...
picked up the film, it became a Mainland China-Taiwan co-production. Co-productions between Taiwan and China are rare, as such productions are subjected to strict scrutiny by censorship boards. However, the film was described as a "healthy example" of a successful co-production by its director, and its script remained unchanged. The collaboration allowed the film's budget to increase to a total of US$7 million.
Filming
Starry Starry Night was filmed at the Taipei Railway Station during a period of two days in March 2011. Although the filming was originally planned to begin in June 2011, it was moved forward because of the planned renovation of the railway station. In addition, the film was also shot other locations in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Tom Lin said that this film was filmed in locations that were "less popular for filmmaking". He added that "We [the film producers] wanted to show a unique side and were careful and strict about every frame and lighting. We wanted perfection.".
Critical reception
James Marsh of Twitch Films described the film as a "visual feast". He praised the main actress Xu Jiao, saying that she "is maturing incredibly well as an acting talent of note here", and added that she "pretty much carries the entire film with unflappable poise and a disarming charm that steers clear of being cutesy for the cameras". He also commented on the "touching epilogue" of this film, saying that it "at first feels unnecessary, but completely sells itself in the film's final moments". Marsh concluded his review by saying that this film is "a tender, heartfelt treat about the end of childhood and the loss of innocence and a flight of fancy well worth taking".External links
- Official Blog
- Starry Starry Night at mtime Movies