A Chinese adaptation of "Hachiko" stars one of China's most renowned directors, Feng Xiaogang, alongside a unique cast of Chinese rural dogs who collectively play a single character in different stages of life.

The cast and crew of "Hachiko," including its cast of dogs, pose for a photo at the premiere in Beijing, March 29, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Timely Media]

Set in Chongqing, the film focuses on the bond between a man and his dog and emphasizes the importance of family. In this adaptation, the dog's name has been changed to the Chinese name Batong. Intriguingly, "Batong," which means "eight dots," is a Mahjong tile. A game popular among Chongqing locals, Mahjong is also featured in the film. To bring the character of Batong to life, younger and adult versions of the dog are portrayed by different rural dogs in various scenes, all working together to create a seamless and heartfelt portrayal of the beloved canine character.

In 2009, a U.S. remake captivated global audiences and reinforced Hachi's status as a cultural symbol. The Chinese version is also based on the Japanese screenplay "Hachiko Monogatari" written by Kaneto Shindo. 

In addition to adapting the story for Chinese audiences, the film features a star-studded cast and production team. The director previously helmed highly acclaimed films such as "12 Citizens" and "Medical Examiner Dr. Qin." The former was nominated for the Director's Debut Award at the 30th Golden Rooster Awards and won the Best Film Award in the Contemporary Film section of the 9th Rome International Film Festival. Executive producer Yeh Jufeng previously oversaw films such as "Red Cliff," "The Wayward Cloud," and "Godspeed."

Another highlight is Feng, who takes a leading role for the first time in over six years following his performance in 2015's "Mr. Six." Contrasting his portrayal of a Beijing punk in "Mr. Six," Feng plays a kind and warmhearted old man who loves his dog in "Hachiko." The female lead, played by internationally acclaimed actress Joan Chen, is a candid and fiery mahjong-loving landlady fluent in Chongqing dialect.

Feng Xiaogang revealed that his affinity for dogs and being born in 1958, the zodiac Year of the Dog, influenced his decision to take the role. "I have always loved dogs. I think dogs have a special quality of loyalty and companionship. Moreover, I had a stray dog that accompanied me for 16 years, and he was also why I took this film. My dog passed away earlier this year, so I treasure my time with him, and I feel that dogs are very special to me," he said at the premiere on Wednesday.

Feng also shared that the director applied honey to his face during filming to quickly get lead dog actor Da Huang into character. However, the mischievous Da Huang always ate it all before filming began, resulting in many funny incidents and laughter on set. 

Director Xu Ang said that the core of the story about a dog waiting for its owner for 10 years after the owner's death is profoundly moving and offers ample room to craft a narrative rooted in China. "The story is not only about people and dogs but also about family and the changing times," he said.

Xu added that the decision to set the film in Chongqing was due to the screenwriter's origins in the municipality. He also liked the city's intriguing lifestyle and animal-friendly environment. 

"Many places in Chongqing are inaccessible by car, so people and animals have a lot of encounters, and they have few opportunities to be with cold machines like cars … Many times when Feng Xiaogang took us to eat at restaurants, we saw that the restaurant owners always liked to feed wandering dogs and cats," he recalled.

A poster for "Hachiko." [Image courtesy of Hengye Pictures]

Chinese moviegoers, many of whom are pet owners, have consistently demonstrated their passion for films featuring furry companions. The 2017 movie "A Dog's Purpose" by Lasse Hallstr?m was the first to reach a peak, earning an impressive 606 million yuan ($88 million) in China. Since then, the popularity of pet-themed movies has exploded. In 2019, a sequel to "A Dog's Purpose," called "A Dog's Journey," was released in China and brought in 197 million yuan. Chinese filmmakers have also produced their own heartwarming pet films, such as Wing-Cheong Law's "Little Q," which tells the story of a guide dog and grossed 113 million yuan in 2019. In addition, Hollywood's beloved pet stars have also played a pivotal role in the box office success of the Chinese anthology film "Adoring," which earned an impressive 683 million yuan.

The emotionally stirring "Hachiko," produced by iQiyi, Lajin Entertainment Network Group Limited and Hengye Pictures, was initially slated for release in 2021. It finally opened in China on March 31.

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