Chinese blockbuster stirs mistrust

Himalayan News Service

Beijing

Remember to delete messages on the cell phone that might cause a family war. At least that’s what many Chinese couples are learning after a movie hit the screens, reports Xinhua.

‘Cell Phone’ debuted last month. This movie, quite unlike the past when new year celebration movies brought hearty laughter, has triggered quarrels and mistrust between couples.

The movie, produced by veteran director Feng Xiaogang, talks of how cell phones affect people’s traditional life by portraying a love triangle between a successful middle-aged TV talk show host, his wife and his lover.

It starts with the host, Yan Shouyi, accidentally leaving his cell phone at home. His lover Wu Yue calls. His wife picks up the phone and a family crisis follows.

Later, Yan is shown to have a girlfriend and another lover. His mobile phone sings frequently with a gentle voice, “You have an incoming call” from his lover. Facing his girlfriend’s questioning eyes, Yan, though a little uneasy, pretends to answer in a low and calm voice: “I’m at a meeting.”

The reply “I’m at a meeting” is now becoming taboo between couples. “It’s a habitual excuse used by man to evade his girlfriend or wife,” said He Fang, a 27-year-old female accountant. “I’ll check whether it is true if my man says so to me.”

Short messages on the mobile are also being subject to inspection by women who have seen the film. Middle-aged couples seem to be the worst affected as they are believed to be the most likely to stray into extramarital affairs.

“It’s all the movie’s fault,” complained 39-year-old Zhang Jian. After watching the movie, his wife has been asking what he does during the day and constantly checking his messages.

In the movie, Yan’s friend Fei Mo says: “How could it be a cell phone? It’s a hand grenade!” And that seems to reflect what many men are saying.

Some though are keeping their cool. “I don’t think a movie will affect a marriage unless there are some problems between the couple,” said professor Li Mingshun, a marriage law expert .