Hu Ge returns to the silver screen in Gold or Shit

Actor Hu Ge is gearing up for his domestic silver screen comeback in the upcoming film Gold or Shit, where he takes on the role of a down-and-out scriptwriter for the second time, following his performance in the art-house film All Ears last year.

Having clinched top honors at the 14th Beijing International Film Festival, the movie triumphed with three Tiantan Awards earlier this year for Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress.

In collaboration with actress Gao Yuanyuan, who plays a journalist and Hu's character's former classmate, the film follows the journey of Wu Di, an aspiring scriptwriter portrayed by Hu, as he decides to leave behind his pursuits in Beijing and return to his hometown in a small town in Sichuan province.

Upon his unexpected homecoming, Wu encounters a lukewarm reception from his family — his strict father, artistically inclined mother, and taxi-driving sister. A meeting with Fan Liuliu, his former classmate played by Gao, presents Wu with a fresh start as she suggests filming a documentary about him, capturing the societal trend of individuals returning to their hometowns for a simpler life.

With Fan's help in directing his unsellable script, Wu assembles a modest crew, including the documentary's cameraman as the cinematographer, his sister as the assistant, an unemployed actor, and his mother as the actress. As filming progresses, Wu faces a series of challenges.

After an unexpected setback halts production, Wu undergoes a profound reassessment of life's purpose, leading to a transformative moment three years later.

At a Beijing premiere on Sunday, director Long Fei described Gold or Shit as a "genre-defying film", drawing inspiration from the intricate details of his and scriptwriter Huang Jia's lives.

Hu emphasized that the film aims not to discourage aspiring individuals facing obstacles but to convey an uplifting message. He explained: "The movie offers an alternative perspective on life — when feeling overwhelmed or encountering career hurdles, taking a break to revisit familiar surroundings and focus on overlooked aspects can pave the way for a brighter future."

Gold or Shit is slated to hit domestic theaters on Saturday.