The parody entitled "The killing over a bun" producer Hu Ge

It's the hallmark of a new era in China, when small potatoes are free to satire public figures in a way that's short of actual malice.

The 20-minute downloadable film has raised the hackles of film director Chen Kaige, because it mocks his new film, "The Promise," in a humorous and yet ruthless way. 　　

But it has won the hearts of tens of millions of netizens, who share its author's joy in undoing that pompous film. 　　

Chen spent 350 million yuan (US$43.2 million) on "The Promise," one of the most expensive films ever made in China. Of course he would see it as the apple of his eye. No wonder he has threatened to sue Hu Ge, author of the parody, for so-called "copyright violation." 　　

The basic plot of Chen's film is thus: A poor girl suddenly became rich and powerful, but she was doomed to a life without love unless time moved backwards. Then a humble man appeared and was able to run fast enough to beat time and bring her back to love. In the process, the lady's husband was killed and more than one guy fell in love with her. 　　

A sideline plot involves a man whose character was forever distorted after the girl cheated him over a bun when he was a boy. 　　The film does have grandiose scenes like those you would see in a modern Hollywood film. But to one who loves plot more than pictures, the film is no doubt a waste of money. 　　

Certainly simple plots are easier for foreign audiences to understand if the film is also targeted at the international market. But simple should not be made stupid or tasteless. What moves the audience is true love if love is the theme. What "The Promise" has produced, however, is a story of shallow or forced affection. 　　

The splendid clothes of the characters and the use of computer skills to create marvelous scenes cannot cover the paleness of the plot. 　

It's the pale plots that have disappointed many audiences, who have subsequently been thrilled at Hu's caustic mick-take. 　　

In his parody, produced on the heels of the film at the end of last year, the rich and powerful lady was twisted to become a fashion model in an entertainment company. The rich lady or at least her "splendid" attire must be so repugnant to Hu that he made her job in his parody to be nothing but "dressing and undressing" all day long. 　　

Along with the narrative of her job, you would see a picture of the lady pasted from the original film but specially treated on Hu's own computer so that she appears to be dressing and undressing really quickly. 　　

While the bun was not the major element in the original film, Hu sarcastically reduced the whole film to the gratuitous killing over a bun. 　　

"The Promise" is by no means about the killing over a bun. The parody is just making fun in an extreme way. Hu just wants to show the absurdity of the original film and he has achieved just that. 　　

There are people who applaud the film, to be sure. For example, actor Pu Cunxi (who has no role in the film) has hailed "The Promise" as a classic that will be respected worldwide. (Although the fact is that the film has been far less welcome overseas than in some Chinese cities.) 　　

People are bound to have different ideas. To sue someone who disagrees with you is too much. Hu's short film and its huge popularity is evidence that tens of millions of people are bored with the "The Promise."