More than a year since offering a look at his latest sci-fi fantasy thriller, Dream Breaker, director Han Yan is finally poised to get some theatrical exhibition later this year. With a new poster in its wake, a new trailer has since arrived hailing actress Chen Duling, front and center of the illustrious spectacle, slick action and neo-noir Blade Runner-esque visuals.
As The Hollywood Reporter noted in its exclusive coverage last Spring, Dream Breaker centers on a young girl whose investigation into her father’s suicide leaves her trapped in an illegal VR game. The film’s development and production was targeted specificially toward today’s audiences tethered to the digital age with a design aided remarkably by Sono Sion (Tokyo Tribe) who also executive produced the film.
The film was initially slated for a release late last year and so it remains to be seen why it was delayed. Things have been fluctuating a bit in the mainland film industry and if you’ve been reading the headlines, you might have an idea about what I’m referring to – I could be wrong, but it’s worth considering.
At any rate, the trailer certainly goes hard and heavy with its appeal to netizens and cinephiles. It’s noir sci-fi fantasy with a touch of martial arts, peppered with that oh-so-familiar and lucrative hip-hop-infused teenage nightlife vibe indicative of ‘Fast & Furious’ which otherwise begs asking “….Cool, huh?”
Chen is joined by actor Song Weilong, with Youhao Zhang and Yuexi Gai also starring for the film’s November 9 release.
