Chinese microfilm’s popularity turns it into feature length movie, showing online video power

BEIJING—A pivotal online microfilm, “Old Boys,” which was watched by tens of millions and helped to establish the genre in China, is being made into a feature-length movie.

The filmmakers presented a trailer for the film at a news conference Thursday in Beijing and said it would be shown in Chinese cinemas in May.

The project’s genesis as a 43-minute microfilm that netted nearly 70 million views on a video website demonstrates how online films are influencing the traditional film industry.

The original, funny but poignant film is about a wedding host and a barber who reminiscence about their childhood dreams of making it big in music.

They decide to team up for a talent show, but their hopes are dashed when they’re rejected.