On August 21, the film "Reverse Scale" held its "Sure to Make a Big Deal" premiere in Beijing. The director, Da Qing, along with producer and screenwriter Shang Ke, and the lead actors Shen Teng, Gao Jie, and Qu Zheming, along with special guest Liu Huan, formed a "Brotherhood" that interacted warmly with the audience, sharing behind-the-scenes stories. The film is set to release nationwide on August 23.
Group photo of the creative team
"Reverse Scale" tells the story of brother Zunfei (played by Shen Teng), who leads a group of friends to work for a wealthy tycoon, using his own methods to thrive in a city filled with both opportunities and dangers. Just when Zunfei believes his path to "wealth" is clear, the beautiful boss Su Xiao (played by Zhang Yuqi), who navigates the world of fame and fortune, begins plotting for greater gains. Meanwhile, the seemingly aloof tycoon Huang Zhao Jin (played by Gao Jie) starts to reveal his true colors... With betrayal and power struggles, why do brothers turn against each other? At the extremes of evil and righteousness, how will Zunfei carve out a bloody path for himself and for his brothers?
Shen Teng as Zunfei
Many viewers have expressed curiosity about why Shen Teng, who is already known as the "King of Comedy" in mainland China, chose to play the role of a gangster. At the premiere, Shen Teng explained that "Reverse Scale" is actually his third project after transitioning from stage acting to film. "At that time, I had just finished filming 'Charlotte's Trouble' and 'A Thought in Heaven,' and I hadn't yet established a fixed image in the minds of the audience," he said. When asked about portraying a gang leader, Shen Teng mentioned that he didn't feel much pressure, "He's not a traditional gangster in the usual sense. I even find him somewhat familiar. I can understand him without making any special adjustments; I just realized my dream of playing a brother on the big screen."
Shen Teng
Regarding the film's title "Reverse Scale," director Da Qing stated that it literally refers to a person's untouchable areas. "Just like Huang Zhao Jin, played by Gao Jie, he is a big figure with places that must not be offended. On the other hand, Zunfei, played by Teng, comes from an ordinary background and becomes a leader by chance, but he also has his own untouchable areas. In life, after interacting with Teng, you realize that Zunfei is actually another side of him; he is a brother who takes care of those around him."
Director Da Qing
The film's screenwriter and producer Shang Ke revealed that the script for "Reverse Scale" was completed back in 2006, and filming began in 2018. "I am originally from Harbin, and at that time I wanted to commemorate the young people who moved south from Northeast China in the 1990s, using a story to encapsulate them. Zunfei in the film is based on a real prototype, and there are many actors in China who could play this brother role, ranging from handsome types to those with charisma, but I didn’t want to cast a typical gangster."
"Once I saw Shen Teng's performance imitating Chaplin, I was instantly impressed, and since he's also from Northeast China, he has that neighborly brother charm. When we finally talked, he had just finished filming 'Charlotte's Trouble,' but we didn’t discuss comedy; instead, we talked about our favorite European films. He agreed to join the project within 24 hours after reading the script, so you could say that the collaboration was a perfect match. After so many years, the film is finally about to be released," Shang Ke said.
During the post-screening interaction, the guests were impressed by Shen Teng's performance in the film. Director Guo Fan remarked that the movie reminded him of the wonderful times spent in video rental shops during his childhood, "Especially Shen Teng's performance this time. Previously, we only saw him in 'grassroots' roles. This time, I realized that no matter the comedic or criminal perspectives, he embodied a noble image of a Northeastern brother, and maybe we should look into the worldview of 'The Wandering Earth' in the future?"
