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One of the most anticipated Chinese movies of the second half of 2024, 'Decoded' is based on a bestselling Chinese novel and stars Liu Haoran, Daniel Wu and Chen Daoming.
By Patrick Brzeski
Asia Bureau Chief
Chinese distributor CMC Pictures has taken the worldwide rights — excluding China — to local hitmaker Chen Sicheng‘s much-anticipated next feature, Decoded. The company says it will release the film theatrically in North America, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and other major international markets later this year following its Chinese bow, expected in the second half of the year. CMC is offering the theatrical rights to some additional territories, such as Southeast Asia, along the sidelines of the Shanghai International Film Festival this week.
Decoded is based on author Jia Mai’s bestselling Chinese spy novel of the same name, which was translated and published in English in 2002. The film’s starry cast includes Liu Haoran, Daniel Wu, Chen Daoming and Chen Yusi, among others.
Chen Sicheng is best known for his blockbuster Detective Chinatown franchise, which has grossed over $1.2 billion at China’s box office. The director also co-wrote the screenplay for Decoded. The film is lensed by acclaimed cinematographer Cao Yu (The Eight Hundred, City of LIfe and Death). The film is set in the war-torn 1940s and follows Rong Jinzhen (Liu), an autistic math genius with a past shrouded in myth who is forced to abandon his academic pursuits to become a code-breaker for a secret spy agency. Mixing the mystery, thriller and character study, the film is said to be packed with twists and double-crosses.
Decoded is produced by CMC Pictures, Alibaba Pictures, China Film Co., Media Asia, and others.
CMC’s slate also includes global distribution plans for Hong Kong director Andrew Lau’s next feature, The Dumpling Queen, also set for release in the second half of 2024.
The Dumpling Queen is a sweeping, inspirational biopic based on the real-life story of Zang Jianhe, founder of the Wanchai Ferry dumpling brand and known locally as the “Dumpling Queen.” The story follows how Zhang went from being a struggling single mom on the streets of Hong Kong to building a modest dumpling stand into a major food company that was eventually sold for millions to Pillsbury. The film also provides a portrait of Hong Kong life through its ups and downs over the decades.
The film stars Ma Li (Yolo, Post Truth) in the title role, with the cast rounded out by Kara Wai, Zhu Yawen, Wong Cho-Lam, Fiona Sit and Michael Tse, among others. The film’s art department, led by Lau’s longtime collaborator Sung Pong Choo, is said to be going to great lengths to recreate classic scenes of Hong Kong life in the 1970s and 80s, such as bustling street markets and the city’s iconic former neon signage.
The Dumpling Queen is produced by Foshan Chinese Film Co., Shanghai Chinese Film Co., and Alibaba Pictures.
June 18, 3:10 a.m. An earlier version of this article misstated the theatrical release date for Decoded in China. The film will release in the latter half of 2024, but the date has not been decided. The Hollywood Reporter regrets the mistake.
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