Feng Xiaogang’s ‘Back to 1942’ to get Day-and-Date Release in North America and China

Feng Xiaogang (Aftershock) is one of the most popular directors in China so it should come as no surprise that China Lion, who recently picked up the North American rights to his new film Back to 1942, is going to release the film here in North America day and-date with its Chinese release on November 30th.  The film, which is getting mixed reviews at the moment mostly because it lacks an emotional connection, has a stellar cast including Xu Fan, Zhang Guoli, Adrien Brody and Tim Robbins.  This is a great pickup for China Lion as Xiaogang is a fan favorite and has such a loyal following which should hopefully mean some solid specialty box office numbers. 

The full press release for the film can be found below along with the trailer if you want to get a taste of what we’re in for come release time.

China Lion to release Feng Xiaogang epic

‘Back to 1942’

November 14^th, 2012 – China Lion Film Distribution will release the Feng Xiaogang epic Back to 1942 on November 30^th throughout the U.S. and Canada, day-and-date with its planned Chinese Mainland release.  The film, based on the bestselling Chinese novel Remembering 1942 by Liu Zhengyun, revolves around the devastating famine that ravaged the Henan province while Nationalists and Japanese troops fought during World War II.  The film stars a cast of well-known Chinese stars including Xu Fan, Zhang Guoli, Chen Daoming, Zhang Mo and Zhang Hanyu as well as Academy Award winners Adrien Brody (The Pianist) and Tim Robbins (Mystic River).

China Lion Film will initially release the film throughout the U.S. and Canada in limited release throughout major North American metro areas of Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Vancouver on November 30^th.  The film will open in Chicago and Seattle on the 7^th of December, with future bookings to be announced.

China Lion Film is planning special advance screenings on November 27^th in both Vancouver and Toronto for press and selected members of the public.  Locations for special advance screenings in the U.S. will be announced.  The film’s official trailer can be viewed at the below Apple Trailer and YouTube links below: