Director Feng Xiaogang has had the Midas touch when it comes to his filming locations, as they have become hot tourist destinations, such as Hokkaido in Japan and the Xixi wetlands in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

Now he is going to highlight his hometown of Beijing.

In If You Are the One 2, a sequel to his 2009 smash romantic comedy which grossed 300 million yuan ($44 million), Feng tries to depict the most beautiful side of the many-layered city.

"Beijing is where I was born and grew up," he says. "If my film can really boost tourism in a place, I should have shot the first one about Beijing. No city is as appealing to me as Beijing. I feel proud to present its beauty to viewers."

The film tells of a story between middle-aged Qin Fen, played by popular comedian Ge You, and airhostess Liang Xiaoxiao, played by Taiwan sweetheart Shu Qi. In the first film the two fall in love, and in this sequel they will move on to marriage.

In the film Qin works as a cinematographer for a tourism TV show and will take viewers on a tour to historical relics such as the Great Wall and Tanzhe Temple, and modern sites such as 798 Art Zone and Happy Valley Park.

"So many things in Beijing are worth shooting," Feng says. "I hope viewers will follow our camera to discover a charming Beijing."

In the first installment, the couple built their relationship on trips to Xixi and Hokkaido. Both places are now widely popular among Chinese.

The film marks the 10th time Feng and Huayi Brothers, the largest private media group in China, has cooperated on a film.

Feng denies that he will leave the company, as rumored, but will work on a third installment of If You Are the One.

"We have built up a bond over the years we have worked together," he says.

Feng and Huayi have signed a contract to work together for five more years and will make at least five films within that time.

The story Feng wants to bring onto the big screen most during this time is about the fatal famine in Henan province, in 1942.

"I don't think that it will necessarily be a negative story. It will help us know our history better," he says.

Almost all the Feng-Huayi films have done well at the box office, including Feng's last work, Aftershock, based on the 1976 Tangshan earthquake. It is the highest-grossing domestic film, raking in 650 million yuan.

If You Are the One 2 will premiere on Dec 22.

China Daily

(China Daily 11/16/2010 page18)