A spoof hits China's Web - and a star is born

Shortly after, we flash forward 20 years: The peasant is a queen, and there's nothing but anguish, regret, and special effects for another 122 minutes.

(At the end of the mystery, one of the comically grave morals read by Hu is, "Parents should caution their kids to be aware of a lady whose hair stands up and floats in the air. If they are asked anything by the lady, no matter what the question, they should answer 'no.' Otherwise their lives may be ruined.")

China-wide discussions started on what aspect of "Mantou" was funniest: Some argued for the grave crime-show host, who appears so serious while attempting to unravel a kooky spoof. Others liked little details, like a crime show "surrender hotline" for the guilty.

But most liked the two ads that Hu feathered in. One is an ad for hair gel showing the sprite Manshen, a famous actress, who says, "The gel that cannot make your hair stand up is counterfeit. Please check the brand Manshen carefully when you buy it."

The other ad is for "straw shoes," and takes off on the slave, who seems for most of the movie to be running nearly at the speed of light (one reason for the Einstein references). Viewers are asked to buy "escape for your life" brand sports shoes.

But the real-life drama of "Mantou" hardly ends with its dissemination. Because China does not have much tradition of humorous give and take, "Mantou" was a terrific affront to Chen.

To have a spoof of his movie gain overnight mass appeal was very unsatisfying to the senior director. Almost immediately, he began speaking about suing Hu for copyright violation, and made a number of very cutting remarks about him.

That went over very badly among ordinary Chinese. Many said it wasn't Hu's fault that Chen made a bad movie, not to mention the misleading press campaign about it.

Hu was just being funny, they said, and reversing the unhappy feelings of the Chinese people about "The Promise." Hu himself kept trying to apologize, but was never given the formal chance.

Chinese netizens formed support group websites. On Sina and Sohu, the two biggest Internet servers, support for Hu by the end of February was overwhelming. When asked on a Sohu.com forum, "which film do you like better, 'Mantou' or 'The Promise?' " 88.9 percent said "Mantou." More than 85 percent said Chen was making "too big a fuss" by threatening to sue.

One chat-room commentator stated that, "Except for the special effects, and the super actors and actresses, 'The Promise' is not special. Works with no spiritual value are rubbish. It's a waste of people's time and life, no matter who the director is!"

Chen withdrew his threat to sue. His producers are now talking about suing over property rights.

China Youth University law professor Yang Zhizhu argues that Mantou is actually a different film entirely from "The Promise," and that by dubbing it throughout, Hu changed the meaning of the scene - and therefore it may not be a legal violation.

Novelist Su Tong, who wrote "Raise the Red Lantern," made into a film by another famous director, Zhang Yimou, said he started off on Hu's side, but has not liked how one-sided the debate has become. "Chinese celebrities are always expected to behave and perform perfectly," he says. "I feel a little sorry for Chen now."

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