Geng Ling interview: Three Billboards in Ebbing Missouri

[photo: from IC]

Today our featured film is Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, a 2017 drama film which is screening across cinemas in China. The film, written, directed, and co-produced by Martin McDonagh and stars Frances McDormand, won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor out of seven nominations at the 90th Academy Awards. 

At the 75^th Golden Globe Awards, the film won Best Motion Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor in the drama category and Best Screenplay. How's the movie receive received in China?

As always, joining our discussion on the line is Ms. Geng Ling, CEO of China Film Assist.

Questions:

1. What is the film about?　

2. Do you think it was a realistic movie?

3. Will it resonate with Chinese viewers given its rural American setting?

4. What did you think of the individual performances? Of course, Francis McDormand won the Oscar for best actress and Sam Rockwell for best supporting actor, and a strong performance by Woody Harrelson.

5. The screenplay was also quite original, did you think it was deserving of the best screenplay at the Oscars?

[Photo：courtesy of Geng Ling]

6. The movie is unique with an independent film budget of $15 million, and profitable taking in $142 million. Do you see this as incentive for more independent films worldwide, proving that they can make a good profit?

7. The film was released in the United States on November 10, 2017. It has grossed $142 million worldwide as of March 12, 2018. It debuted in Chinese cinemas on March 2nd. Do you expect it's going to do good in China in terms of box office returns?

[The audio clip is from Studio+, produced by CRI]