Zhao Baogang to Play Villain Type in Classic Remake

Director Zhao Baogang attends a press conference Sunday for the upcoming TV series remake of 'Si Shi Tong Tang', or 'Four Generations under One Roof', an adaptation of Chinese notable late writer Lao She's novel. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]


Director Zhao Baogang is promoting his new work, the contemporary remake of 'Four Generations under One Roof', a classic TV series that once became a hit twenty four years ago, but Zhao is as a villain type actor this time in the remake.

Based on Chinese notable late writer Lao She's novel of the same title, the re-made version stars a powerful cast including director Wang Jun, leading actors Huang Lei and Jiang Qinqin.

Set against the backdrop of Japanese army's invasion, it provides an insight into the life of Peking during the Japanese Occupation, which is epitomized into the life of a group of people with Qi family as the focus dwelling in the city's traditional courtyards in a lane.

Originally, director Zhao was just invited to guest star in the drama, however, was deeply attracted to the role and later snapped up the opportunity to play 'Guan Xiaohe', a villain in the story, opposite actress Yuan Qiu from Hong Kong.

The novel was first adapted into a sitcom in 1985. Zhao played the second eldest son of Qi family.

The new version will broadcast on China Central Television (CCTV)'s prime time show on April 28, following the currently popular TV drama, 'Wo De Qing Chun Shui Zuo Zhu' (Qing Chun in short, literally youth), a work of Zhao Baogang - also a sequel to his previous hit drama 'Struggle' of young people.

On Saturday's press conference, director Zhao also revealed he would carry on his 'youth' series and will start shooting 'Beijing Youth' by the end of the year.

Actors Huang Lei (R) and Jiang Qinqin attends a press conference Sunday for the upcoming TV series remake of 'Si Shi Tong Tang', or 'Four Generations under One Roof', an adaptation of Chinese notable late writer Lao She's novel. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]


This TV series remake is also actress Jiang Qinqin's first appearance after giving birth.

Another highlight is actors Huang Lei and his father playing together in the drama.

It is always risky to remake time-honored classics and few would really outdo the original ones. In face of these pressures, director Wang Jun was confident to bring a completely different version. In his opinion, people would read the novel from a different perspective in different times.

The new picture is expected to modernize the story's concept, infusing it with more rounded persona touches.

Wang said, he dare not say whether his remake will be better than the old, but he would not at least let down the late Master writer.