''The Rooftop'' () is a 2013 Taiwanese
musical film
Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as breaks ...
. It is the second feature film directed by
Taiwanese
Taiwanese may refer to:
* Taiwanese language, another name for Taiwanese Hokkien
* Something from or related to Taiwan ( Formosa)
* Taiwanese aborigines, the indigenous people of Taiwan
* Han Taiwanese, the Han people of Taiwan
* Taiwanese people, ...
singer/actor
Jay Chou
Jay Chou ( zh, t=周杰倫, s=周杰伦, poj=Chiu Kia̍t-lûn, p=Zhōu Jiélún, first=t, w=Chou Chieh-lun; born January 18, 1979) is a Taiwanese singer, songwriter, record producer, rapper, actor, and television personality. Dubbed the " King ...
. Similar to his first feature film, ''
Secret
Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups who do not have the "need to know", perhaps while sharing it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret.
Secrecy is often controvers ...
'', Jay played multiple roles in the production of the film, as the main lead, director, script-writer and music composer.
''The Rooftop'' is one of the many scripts that Chou has written since the success of ''
Secret
Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups who do not have the "need to know", perhaps while sharing it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret.
Secrecy is often controvers ...
'' in 2007. Most of the scripts are sequels to ''
Secret
Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups who do not have the "need to know", perhaps while sharing it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret.
Secrecy is often controvers ...
''. However, Chou and his long-time friend
Will Liu
Will Liu (; born 7 October 1972) is a Taiwanese singer, dancer and composer.
Background
He is well known for his album ''Caihong Tiantang'' (彩虹天堂; "Rainbow Heaven") and is known as good friends with Taiwanese artists Jay Chou and Show ...
decided to work on ''The Rooftop'' as a challenge to produce the first Chinese mainstream musical-come-martial arts film. They claimed that ''The Rooftop'' is a film that is difficult to be categorized, for it combined the elements of musical extravaganza and actions.
Chou has made good use of his experience from filming ''
The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet is a superhero created in 1936 by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, with input from radio director James Jewell. Since his 1930s radio debut, the character has appeared in numerous serialized dramas in a wide variety of media ...
'' in Hollywood, ''
Initial D
is a Japanese street racing manga series written and illustrated by Shuichi Shigeno. It was serialized in Kodansha's ''seinen'' manga magazine ''Weekly Young Magazine'' from 1995 to 2013, with the chapters collected into 48 ''ta ...
'' in Hong Kong and directing over 60 of his own music videos, to conceptualize ''The Rooftop'' with music as its roots, combined with actions, to create a genre never seen before in Asia.
Name
The film is released in Mainland China as "天台爱情" (literally "''The Rooftop Love''"), to avoid duplication and confusion with box-office sales with another Chinese film named "天台". However, the film poster and promotional materials remained as "天台“. The film is released in all other countries as "天台" (literally "''The Rooftop''").
Plot
The story occurs in a fantasy world called Galilee City, that consists of two contrasting communities. One group lives on the Rooftop, where they dance and sing their days away with no worries. While those on the ground are affluent and possess more power.
In a chance encounter, Wax gets to meet his billboard dream-girl, Starling, who is an up-and-coming actress/singer. However, their blossoming love is put into test when both are involved in the fight over power on the ground.
Cast
Supporting Cast
*
Kenny Bee
Chung Chun-to (born 23 February 1953), also known by his stage name Kenny Bee, is a Hong Kong singer, musician and actor. He is best known as the singer of the group the Wynners, and as a solo artist who has been active in the Hong Kong ente ...
as Lao Lee (老李), Starling's debt-ridden father
*
Eric Tsang
Eric Tsang Chi-wai (; born 14 April 1953) is a Hong Kong actor, film director, producer, and television host, best known for hosting the variety show ''Super Trio series'' on the Hong Kong television network TVB over 18 years. He currently holds ...
as Po-Ye (波爺), owner of Po-Ye Medical Hall
* Na-Dou as Dou-hua (豆花), Po-Ye's son
* A-Ken as Pa-pa Zhao (爬爬趙), owner of the bowling alley
* Tang Chong Sheng as Gen Pi Cong (跟屁從), owner of the apparel & goldfish stalls at Lovers' Lake Night Market
* A-Lang as A-Lang (阿郎) or named Broccoli, Wax's buddy, resident of the Rooftop
*
Devon Song
Nan Quan Mama () is a Taiwanese music group. The name is a phrase in Mandarin to explain having strength while being gentle as a mother. They are closely tied with the well-known artist Jay Chou, but it was revealed after Lara and Chase Chang went ...
as Egg (蛋花), Wax's buddy, resident of the Rooftop
Cameo (uncredited)
*
Zhan Yuhao
Nan Quan Mama () is a Taiwanese music group. The name is a phrase in Mandarin to explain having strength while being gentle as a mother. They are closely tied with the well-known artist Jay Chou, but it was revealed after Lara and Chase Chang went ...
, at the bowling alley
*
Chase Chang
Nan Quan Mama () is a Taiwanese music group. The name is a phrase in Mandarin to explain having strength while being gentle as a mother. They are closely tied with the well-known artist Jay Chou, but it was revealed after Lara and Chase Chang went ...
, in the recording studio
*
Andrew Lau
Andrew Lau Wai-keung ( zh, t=劉偉強, born 4 April 1960) is a Hong Kong film director, producer, and cinematographer. Lau began his career in the 1980s and 1990s, serving as a cinematographer to filmmakers such as Ringo Lam, Wong Jing and Wong ...
, the Mayor of Galilee City
*
Will Liu
Will Liu (; born 7 October 1972) is a Taiwanese singer, dancer and composer.
Background
He is well known for his album ''Caihong Tiantang'' (彩虹天堂; "Rainbow Heaven") and is known as good friends with Taiwanese artists Jay Chou and Show ...
, Boss Li, nightclub owner
* Soda Voyu, film director
*
Gary Yang
Yeo Foo Ee Gary (born 30 August 1986) is a former track and field sprint athlete who competes internationally for Singapore. Yeo is a 5-time SEA Games Silver medalist and the 2012 ASEAN University Games 100m Champion. Yeo also represented Sing ...
, Rango's assistant
*
Kevin Lin
Kevin Lin (林義傑, November 19, 1976) is a Taiwanese ultramarathon runner from Taipei.
Background
Based in Taipei, Lin is one of the best known endurance athletes in Asia. Lin, together with Charlie Engle and Ray Zahab, became the first mode ...
, reporter
* Huang Yu Xun, peddler at Lovers' Lake Night Market
* Zhu Degang, William's assistant
* Vivi Wang Wan Fei, lady on the road
*
David Chiang
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, older Wax
* Fu Yi Wei, older Starling
Production
The film was shot on location in Taiwan, Beijing and Shanghai.
[
]
Achievements
The film was named as New York Asian Film Festival Closing Night Selection.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rooftop, The
Taiwanese musical comedy films
2013 films
2013 action comedy films
2013 romantic comedy films
2010s musical comedy films
Taiwanese romantic comedy films
Taiwanese martial arts comedy films
Kung fu films
2010s martial arts comedy films
Films set in Taiwan
Films shot in Taiwan
Films shot in Beijing
Films shot in Shanghai
2013 martial arts films
2010s Mandarin-language films