''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 brea ...

. 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, r ...

singer/actor Jay Chou. Similar to his first feature film, '' Secret'', 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'' in 2007. Most of the scripts are sequels to '' Secret''. 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 med ...

'' 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 ' ...

'' 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 hol ...

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 wen ...

, at the bowling alley * Chase Chang, 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 W ...

, the Mayor of Galilee City *

, 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 mo ...

, 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, 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