Looking Up, a look towards the future

China's exam-oriented education has again been blamed in veteran actor-turned director Deng Chao's new film "Looking Up".

Co-director of the upcoming film "Looking Up" Yu Baimei(2nd from right)leads his cast to attend the film's premiere in Beijing on Monday, July 15, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

Deng is also the protagonist in "Looking up", playing the father who stood up against the authorities of the school where his son studies. Father Ma Haowen (马皓文) believes that the exam oriented education in China has no impact on students' practical abilities.

Ma becomes his son's tutor. He teaches him knowledge that can't be taught in the classroom.

Taking a critical perspective towards stereotypes in education is not a new challenge for filmmakers. For example, Aamir Khan's Dangal also shows an ambitious father unhappy about his daughter's wrestling coach who then becomes her private coach.

But in China, few films target exam-oriented education, particularly in recent years, progress has noticeably been made with China's reforms to its education system.

And another insight into this film, according to film critics, is the importance of a father's support for his stressed children.

This is the first time that actor Deng Chao has challenged a role by playing a father on the big screen.

Prior to this, Deng has played a number of roles, ranging from unruly scorpion, business elite to a man of humor. "But for the first time, I portray such an affectionate dad. Please believe in a father's love for his son. I've shed tears for 100 days while shooting this film," said Deng Chao.

Deng went further saying "I've long been eager to make a film about the father-and-son relationship and my own parental experience has given me a lot of energies in doing it."

Strongly influenced by the father, the son grows up to be a successful pilot, who often bears in mind his father's instruction "Don't give up!" and "Keep thinking in adverse circumstances".

The film, in simple words, shows that fatherly love and support plays an important role in giving children a better future.

The film "Looking up" marks the 3rd cooperation between Deng Chao and his screenwriter-partner Yu Baimei, following the disreputable comedies The Breakup Guru("分手大师") and Devil and Angel("恶棍天使").

The film is due out in cinemas this Thursday (July 18).

At a recent pre-screening event, an audience of children has also shown their interest in the film's scenes of the young pilot entering aerospace. But YU Baimei responded by saying all those scenes were actually shot indoors and were computerized.

The film is over 2-hours long, telling a story that spans decades in which the young boy grows into an adult.

The film might not go on to be highly acclaimed, but it is thought-provoking and shows what people can do better in the future, commented those who joined the pre-screening.