The official announcement for the re-release of Love Myth has been made, scheduled for November 2, 2024. This remarkable film, produced and starring Xu Zheng, and penned and directed by Shao Yihui, is set to grace the big screen once again, reuniting with audiences. Not long ago, its parallel film, Good Things, was confirmed for a November 22 release. The screening of Love Myth undoubtedly serves as a perfect prelude to this new chapter.

Love Myth poster

Love Myth centers around a group of "old friends" in Shanghai, weaving a narrative filled with laughter and tears about love, friendship, and familial bonds. In the film, Xu Zheng plays the middle-aged man Lao Bai, whose romantic entanglements with Miss Li (played by Ma Yili), Bei Bei (Wu Yue), and Gloria (Ni Hongjie) create a heartfelt and realistic emotional tapestry. This story immerses the audience into the lively atmosphere of Shanghai. A talented cast of Shanghai's finest actors vividly portrays the complex and subtle emotional relationships between the characters, with the unique Shanghai dialect adding to the film's charm. Since its release, the film has garnered love and acclaim from numerous viewers, with its distinct perspective, delicate emotional expression, and accurate depiction of Shanghai’s urban spirit becoming hot topics for discussion. The film has also won seven awards, including Best Feature Film and Best Screenwriter, at the 35th China Golden Rooster Awards.

The sequel, originally titled Love Myth 2, has been renamed Good Things, and has attracted significant attention since its initial announcement. It is reported that the story will revolve around single mother Wang Tiemei and her neighbor, a girl named Xiaoye. After losing her job and moving, Wang Tiemei meets Xiaoye, who appears sunny but struggles internally with depression, leading them to become close friends. Faced with the intrusions of love and life, their fates intertwine as they navigate friendship and growth, crafting a unique life story.

Good Things poster

Good Things stars popular actors such as Song Jia, Zhong Chuxi, Zhang Yu, and Zhao Youting. The revealed stills and trailers convey that the film continues the refined style of Love Myth, showcasing Shanghai’s street scenes, vibrant life-filled settings, and enchanting character dynamics that evoke anticipation for the film.

Following his win for Best Screenwriter at the 35th China Golden Rooster Awards with Love Myth, director Shao Yihui once again employs a female perspective to create a powerful narrative for the silver screen. This film not only carries forward the essence and tone of its predecessor but also delivers an upgraded perspective. By exploring the controversial themes of gender relations through the lives of ordinary people and small emotions, it reveals the nuanced adult relationships between men and women while introducing fresh viewpoints on the concept of "awareness," challenging traditional gender dynamics. This work marks a new revelation of contemporary views on love. Like Love Myth, the story unfolds in Shanghai but focuses more on "outsiders" living there, allowing viewers to better understand the city’s unique charm and empathize with the experiences and emotions of its inhabitants.

As the November 22 release date approaches, anticipation among viewers continues to rise. Discussions about Good Things are trending on social media, with fans speculating about the film’s plot and emotional trajectory.

Recently, the film market has seen a resurgence in re-releases. The Harry Potter series began re-screening on October 11, releasing one film a week for audiences to revisit, while the acclaimed foreign film Léon: The Professional, which has been around for 30 years, will also re-release on November 1. Audiences have the opportunity to relive old emotions on the big screen, bringing new vitality to the film market.