On November 23, the film "Clown Dad" held its premiere in Beijing with a "Warm and Grateful Screening." Screenwriter Xue Qiao, along with lead actors Zhang Tianqi, Chen Meixi, Tian Shiyu, Zhang Chao, Ma Jie, Song Yipeng, and Lan Yong, all appeared to share heartwarming stories behind the film's creation, and to give media guests and audiences a sneak peek at this healing emotional feast. The film will be released nationwide on November 27.
The film tells the story of Xiaoxiao, an orphan who helps Wang Ming (Zhang Tianqi), an unemployed clown performer, run a clown flower shop after a Hebei acrobatic troupe suddenly disbands, rekindling her hope for life. Even after learning that Xiaoxiao is seriously ill, Wang Ming continues to take on the responsibility of raising her. The two work together to preserve Wuqiao acrobatics (a national intangible cultural heritage). "Clown Dad" is China's first heartwarming realistic light comedy featuring an acrobatic clown as the protagonist. It was previously shortlisted for the 2025 Asian International Film Festival (AIFF) Golden Ibis Award and won the Best Project Award at the 7th Hong Kong International Youth Film Festival and the Outstanding Project Award at the 6th Asian Chinese Film Festival.
Movie poster
At the premiere, executive producer Jiang Jianying emotionally introduced the film's script, saying it was adapted from a true story: "During our research and interviews, we met a clown performer. He suffered from severe stomach problems, but he worked tirelessly on stage to earn money to support his stepdaughter after her second marriage. In the end, the child recovered, but he collapsed due to a massive stomach hemorrhage… When we were preparing the film, we also analyzed the current domestic film market. In recent years, we've seen films depicting all sorts of characters—small restaurant owners, deliverymen… films that supposedly reflect the fate of ordinary people. But there hasn't been a film that showcases or praises our acrobatic industry, especially clown performers. Actually, we shouldn't underestimate clown performers; the role they play in a circus troupe is often multifaceted."
"Another major challenge during the preparation of 'Clown Dad' was finding the right actor to play the clown. This was quite difficult. First, he had to be able to perform as a clown on stage; not everyone can imitate those comical movements. Second, he couldn't be too ugly in real life without makeup, or he wouldn't be appealing to the audience (laughs). We shortlisted more than 30 candidates before finally deciding on Zhang Tianqi," said Jiang Jianying.
Photos from the premiere: Screenwriters Xue Qiao (first from left) and Zhang Tianqi (fourth from left); speaker (third from left) is Zhang Chao, the well-known actor who plays the head of the acrobatic troupe in the film.
Lead actor Zhang Tianqi responded that he "volunteered" for the role of Wang Ming. "People may have always thought of me as having a more upright image, making it difficult for me to play a more relatable character like a clown. After being cast as the clown, I joined the crew two months in advance, going over each scene with the director and carefully considering every line. I also went to a circus troupe to experience life there, including learning the clown's stage movements. I cherish this opportunity to perform; the script is so moving, it's rare to see something like this in recent years."
In his speech, screenwriter Xue Qiao stated that in his screenwriting philosophy, film always explores the relationships between people, between people and the world, and between people and themselves. "The film *Clown Dad* is a response to these three topics: the clown is not only a profession, but also a metaphor for the predicament of every ordinary person today: on the one hand, we sometimes have to wear a mask when interacting with others; on the other hand, the environment we are familiar with is facing tremendous changes—ultimately, we all have to return to reflecting on our self-identity. The film conveys the idea that only 'love' can break through these three predicaments; it is love that allows us to become heroes to one another."
"Moreover, we focused most of our attention on the father-daughter relationship between Wang Ming and Xiao Xiao. They are not related by blood, but their bond surpasses that of a father and daughter—this kind of friendship that transcends age is somewhere between kinship and friendship, which I think is the most touching. The theme of 'Clown Dad' is very realistic and relatable to everyone in the audience today. I hope that everyone will offer valuable feedback on social media after the screening, so that this film about 'gratitude' can warm the hearts of even more people," said Xue Qiao.