Chinese film director Feng Xiaogang’s new TV series panned, making him the latest A-lister to stumble switching to the small screen
- In one of many displays of extraordinary wealth in Crossroad Bistro, a character gives her driver a high-end washing machine when she hears his has broken down
- ‘Maybe the director and scriptwriter have been living in elitist circles for too long,’ wrote one blogger. ‘They no longer know how ordinary people live’
The first online television series directed by award-winning Chinese movie director Feng Xiaogang has been met with widespread criticism, mirroring the disdain that has greeted several disastrous forays onto the small screen by A-listers in the past few years.
Broadcast by Chinese streaming giant iQiyi since July 11, the 30-part Crossroad Bistro is the first television drama Feng has directed since 1997’s Behind the Moon. His work on several critically acclaimed films catapulted him into the ranks of A-list Chinese directors.
Set in Beijing, Crossroad Bistro is a coming-of-age story of five women whose friendship helps them through life’s ups and downs. The show comes on the heels of the hugely successful female-centric drama Nothing but Thirty (2020), which charts the lives of three successful 30-year-old women.
As well as the five protagonists, played by Lyric Lan Yingying, Gina Jin Chen, Chuai Ni, Drolma Suijun and Wang Luodan, Crossroad Bistro features cameos by stars including Huang Bo and Zhu Yilong.
Critics and viewers slammed the series for its flagrant displays of luxury living and for being out of touch with ordinary people’s lives. In the show, the 20-somethings live in luxurious houses, drive posh cars and have stellar careers.
