A Cool Fish (Chinese: 无名之辈; pinyin: Wú Míng Zhī Bèi) is a 2018 Chinese comedy drama film directed and co-written by Rao Xiaozhi, and starring Chen Jianbin, Ren Suxi, Pan Binlong, and Zhang Yu.[2][3] The film tells the story of several nobodies, including a cop-turned-security guard Ma Xiaoyong, his sister Ma Jiaqi, and two thieves Li Haigen and Hu Guangsheng.[4] The film premiered in China on November 16, 2018.[5][6]

A Cool Fish
Traditional Chinese無名之輩
Simplified Chinese无名之辈
Hanyu PinyinWú Míng Zhī Bèi
Directed byRao Xiaozhi
Written byRao Xiaozhi
Lei Zhilong
Produced byLiang Lin
StarringChen Jianbin
Ren Suxi
Pan Binlong
Zhang Yu
CinematographyLi Jian
Edited byDerek Hui
Music byDeng Ouge
Production
company
Emperor Motion Pictures
Distributed byEmperor Motion Pictures
Release date
  • 16 November 2018 (2018-11-16) (China)
Running time
108 minutes
CountryChina
LanguagesSouthwestern Mandarin, Sichuanese, Chongqinghua
Box office$90.1 million[1]

Plot

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In a seemingly normal day in a small mountain town, a pair of lowly robbers, a destitute security guard, a physically handicapped but tough-tongued woman, as well as a series of minor characters living on different tracks of society are being thrown together by mistake, because of a lost old gun and robbery occurring that day. Scene of absurd comedy and cause and effect tragedy ensue.

Cast

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  • Chen Jianbin as Ma Xianyong, a cop-turned-security guard on the construction site.
  • Ren Suxi as Ma Jiaqi, younger sister of Ma Xianyong, a quadriplegic.
  • Pan Binlong as Li Haigen, nicknamed Big Head, thief.
  • Zhang Yu as Hu Guangsheng, nicknamed Bra (short for Cobra), thief.
  • Ma Yinyin as Zhenzhen, a masseuse.
  • Wang Yanhui as Gao Ming, a bankrupt real estate developer.
  • Cheng Yi as Liu Wenhong, Gao Ming's lover.
  • Ning Huanyu as Gao Xiang, Gao Ming's son.
  • Lu Kung-wei as Wang Shuncai, Ma Jiaqi's landlord.
  • Deng Enxi as Ma Yiyi, Ma Xianyong's daughter.
  • Fan Xiang as Ren Xiaochong, police captain.
  • Xie Bo as Bo Zai.

Production

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The film is Rao Xiaozhi's second feature.[7]

Soundtrack

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No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."A Cool Fish (无名之辈)" (Opening theme)Silence Wang, Chen HuanChen HuanSilence Wang 
2."Wait a Second (等一等)" (Ending theme)Fan ChongFan ChongRen Suxi 
3."Hu Guangsheng (胡广生)" (Promotional song)Ren SuxiRen SuxiRen Suxi 
4."Nameless Love (无名之爱)" (Propaganda song)Yang BingyinLei ZhilongCheng Yi, Ma Yinyin 

Release

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The film was released on November 16, 2018, in mainland China, and on November 22, 2018, in Hong Kong.

A Cool Fish earned $1.2 million its first three days alone, and grossed $24.2 million on its first weekend. The film earned a total of $90.1 million.[8]

Reception

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Douban, a major Chinese media rating site, gave the drama 8.1 out of 10.

Accolades

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Date Award Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Notes
2018 10th Macau International Movie Festival Best Picture A Cool Fish Won
Best Actor Chen Jianbin Won
Best Actress Ren Suxi Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Pan Binlong Won
2019 1st Duyun Film and Television Festival Best Actor Pan Binlong Won [9]

References

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  1. ^ Patrick Frater (2 December 2018). "China Weekend Box Office: 'Crazy Rich Asians' Flounders as 'Fish' and 'Venom' Swim On". variety.com. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  2. ^ John Berra (19 November 2018). "'A Cool Fish': Review". screendaily. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  3. ^ Elizabeth Kerr (27 November 2018). "'A Cool Fish' ('Wuming zhibei'): Film Review". hollywoodreporter. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Low-budget comedy 'A Cool Fish' surprise winner". china.org.cn. 9 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  5. ^ Du Jiayue (杜嘉悦) (November 5, 2018). 《无名之辈》做客"天天向上" 陈建斌潘斌龙变吃货. 163.com (in Chinese). Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  6. ^ Du Jiayue (杜嘉悦) (September 13, 2018). 《无名之辈》定档11月16日 陈建斌联手任素汐. 163.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  7. ^ Adam Symchuk (16 October 2018). "Trailer for New Chinese Film "A Cool Fish"". asianmoviepulse.com. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  8. ^ Patrick Frater (2 December 2018). "China Weekend Box Office: 'Crazy Rich Asians' Flounders as 'Fish' and 'Venom' Swim On". variety.com. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  9. ^ 首届都匀电影电视节闭幕暨“匀芽奖”揭晓. sina (in Chinese). 20 September 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
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