Weekly culture & leisure guide (Jan 3-10)

Almost A Comedy

Few in China have not yet been convulsed with laughter when watching a film produced by Mahua Funage, arguably China's most successful comedy troupe in terms of adapting its popular stage plays into blockbuster movies.

Almost A Comedy, the troupe's latest and also the only cinematic adaptation in 2019, has been one of the darlings among moviegoers since its release a fortnight ago and has reaped 7.6 points out of 10 on Douban, the country's most trustworthy film review site noted for its usually unforgiving users.

Through the perspectives of four young people who all struggle to pursue their dreams in a metropolis, the tale explores modern interpersonal relationship and some of the most concerned social issues, such as the big-city rent, "hukou" (household registration status) and employment.