Feng Xiaogang hopes comedy to lighten nation's mood

????Director Feng Xiaogang is seen in an undated photo. [File Photo: ent.sina.com.cn]

Chinese film director Feng Xiaogang thinks his countrymen are in desperate need of a lighthearted comedy following the deadly Sichuan earthquake, and his next project aims to meet that need.

Feng Xiaogang, who blazed a trail for the New Year film genre with his 1997 comedy "Dream Factory," will present an urban love story for this coming New Year. Huayi Brothers Co-president Wang Zhonglei made the announcement on Tuesday at the ongoing 11th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Huayi Brothers are the producer and distributor for most of Feng Xiaogang's films.

Feng Xiaogang was previously reported to be working on a film named "The Nobles," but Wang Zhonglei says that project has been suspended for various reasons. "Fei Cheng Wu Rao" ("Don't Bother Me If You Aren't Interested"), which is likely to feature "The Nobles" cast members Shu Qi and Ge You, is set to replace it. Ge You has appeared in almost every New Year film by Feng Xiaogang.

In "Fei Cheng Wu Rao," Ge You meets with a variety of women on a series of blind dates.

Shooting will begin next month so the film will be ready to headline the 2009 New Year box office, Wang Zhonglei said.

Feng Xiaogang was experimenting with new genres prior to the Sichuan earthquake.

"He was shocked and wanted to go back for comedy and help people regain happiness," Wang Zhonglei said.

Feng Xiaogang's latest New Year offering, "The Assembly," is an oppressive war film.