Chinese Factory Worker's Flying Machine Dream Takes Flight

The Chinese drama 'Take Off' is set to open in U.S. theaters on September 17, distributed by Orchid Tree Media. This film, the fourth feature from director Pengfei, recently had its North American premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival. It stars Jiang Qiming, whose performance is based on a novella by acclaimed author Shuang Xuetao.

The story is set in China's rust-belt cities and spans from the 1970s to the present. It centers on Li Mingqi, a factory worker who inherits his father's dream of building a flying jetpack. After an early experiment results in an injury to his brother-in-law, Li's journey continues, involving his wife and later his nephew, as he attempts to achieve his ambitious goal.

Shuang Xuetao, a prominent writer of China's industrial northeast decline, co-wrote the screenplay. The novella 'The Aeronaut' was part of his award-winning collection. The film premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival in October and was released in Chinese theaters in January, achieving $12 million in revenue.

Actor Jiang Qiming, noted for his role in the blockbuster 'Once Upon a Time in the Middle East,' is gaining significant attention. Director Pengfei, who trained in Paris and worked with Tsai Ming-liang, is known for his festival circuit presence. The film's international sales are being handled by Rediance.