Search

» » Unmade in China (2012)

Short summary

Unmade in China follows American director Gil Kofman as he travels to Xiamen, China to direct a Chinese thriller. Once there he discovers that the old adage of making a film three times, once in the writing, once in the shooting and once in the editing, is in fact just the opposite in his host country, where his film is unmade three times. Undaunted by his inability to speak or understand the Mandarin language, Kofman directs his frequently recast actors through a translator as government censorship and constant cultural mishaps hijack his script and derail production. Like Man of la Mancha set in Communist China, there has never been a film quite like this.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: in waiting
    With a light touch and incisive wit Gil Kofman's behind the scenes look at his own experience trying to direct a Chinese language feature in China by means of a translator is a timeless classic on par with Robert Altman's "The Player." It serves as a primer not only for filmmakers but also for anyone trying to gain insight into "the Chinese miracle." Kofman captures the corruption, the communication breakdowns, the vanity and more as his film is systematically wrested from his grip. Kofman's own narration is the star of this highly entertaining documentary and his ability to maintain a sense of humor throughout is a testament to his own spirit. With a twist ending that will surprise and delight, it's the rare documentary that informs and entertains in equal measure. One of the best films of its kind in many years.
  • Credited cast:
    Ady An Ady An - Herself
    Shone An Shone An - Himself (as Chun-tsan An)
    Tanner King Barklow Tanner King Barklow - Himself
    Yuanzheng Feng Yuanzheng Feng - Himself
    Michael Hersey Michael Hersey - Himself
    Chunjun Jing Chunjun Jing - Himself
    Gil Kofman Gil Kofman - Himself
    Seth Scher Seth Scher - Himself
    All rights reserved © 2017-2024 hd.thomson-multimedia.com