Director Cao\'s Thriller a Hit with Festival Audience;New Film Music Venture Launched

The press conference of "Cock and Bull.

　　Mainland film director Cao Baoping\'s latest offering,"Cock and Bull," impressed audiences yesterday at a special screening at the ongoing 2016 Shanghai International Film and TV Festival.

　　The black-humored suspense thriller set in small-town China is also vying for the festival\'s Golden Goblet Award.

　　Cao, whose credits include "The Equation of Love and Death" and "The Dead End," said the movie is a story about uncovering the truth behind a murder from the varied perspectives of three people involved in the death.

　　He wanted to display in the film the humanity and emotions of people facing the extreme circumstances of a crime.

　　Also at the festival yesterday, a new venture to create more original music for films and TV series was launched by Show City Times. Artists from around the world will provide tailor-made music and scores for screen productions in the flourishing China market.

　　Film and TV music is expected to have big market potential in China in terms of its growing audience numbers and productions.

　　Paramount Pictures executive Rob Moore said there are increasing musical content links being established between the Chinese market and foreign film and TV productions. Many movies are eager to work with Chinese musicians and singers, he added.

　　The Show City Times venture will offer original scores and theme songs for the sequel to the youth film "So Young," and TV series "Endless August" and "Sword of Heaven."

　　Chinese singer Zhang Liangying, who rose to fame through the "Super Girl" contest, will be engaged in the music production venture.

　　She has recorded theme songs for a few blockbuster movies such as "The Banquet," and "Painted Skin," and did a duet with American hip hop singer Big Sean for the sci-fi film "Terminator Genisys."