For a few years now, all the great film directors want to make their own television series. Where they previously did not want to associate even remotely with the medium, they now see it as an opportunity to create megalomaniacal, excessive projects, where they can develop their most grandiose ideas. And that’s great. It brings a lot to the directors and to the television medium, as has already been demonstrated on numerous occasions.
The latest to do so is Wong Kar-wai. The Hong Kong director known for masterpieces like Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love, or My Blueberry Nights has embarked on creating a series that follows his very particular style and interest in the culture of his native Shanghai, in a historical period he knows well and portrays like no one else. The 90s.
A nostalgic look at the golden age of Shanghai
Blossoms Shangai is the name of this series by Wong Kar-Wai. In it, we follow Ah Bao, an ordinary young man who will slowly carve his way into the business world to become an important business figure, taking advantage of China’s economic reform in the 90s. Of course, a woman and a rival will threaten his stability, both personal and business, ensuring that there will be drama to follow during its thirty intense episodes.
The series, premiered in China on December 27, 2023, was a resounding success. Being the most-watched streaming series during its airing, it was also the series that achieved the highest number of ads of all series on a streaming platform, managing to place up to 10 of them per episode.
The reasons for its success were, in addition to its enormous production values, an excellent narrative and impeccable direction, some important cultural elements. The nostalgia for the 90s and the sense of optimism that the series exudes, along with the use of Wu Chinese, a dialect that has fallen out of use since the imposition of standard Mandarin in the 50s, has made the series win the hearts of the Chinese audience.
A massive production that seeks to dazzle
It has also triumphed because, as we have said, it is a series that stands out for its production values. With 31 square meters of filming area, more than 2,900 costumes, and 3,000 production objects, the numbers already convey the majesty of the series. This is even more evident considering that Giorgio Armani has been involved in the production of the series, dressing the protagonist to ensure that he always has a perfect style.
If all of this has piqued your curiosity to see Blossoms Shanghai, you can do so starting next Thursday, June 19, when it arrives on Filmin. From then on, it will be available for streaming, allowing you to witness Wong Kar-wai’s excellent direction and grandiosity.
Will it be a success like it was in its native China? It seems difficult. What does seem likely is that it will captivate the audience that decides to give it a chance. Its cinema has always been prodigious, poetic, and beautiful, of which this Blossoms Shanghai does not seem to be the exception. So it doesn’t seem like a good idea to miss the opportunity to experience such a special event.
