In the week following Mid-Autumn Festival, three newly released film made it to top five box office list for ordinary Chinese: "Little Q," an emotional film featuring a man and his dog; "Mao Zedong 1949," a historical film about the People's Republic of China(PRC)'s founding; and "Friend Zone" a romance film from Thailand.

All three films hit Chinese box office last Friday, and soon occupied top positions on Maoyan, a movie ticketing and review platform in China. So far, "Little Q" has earned 78 million yuan (10.96 million U.S. dollars), while "Mao Zedong 1949" raked in 49.3 million yuan(6.93 U.S. dollars) and "Friend Zone" bagged 29.3 million(4.12 million U.S. dollars).

Meanwhile, films like "The Last Wish," "Jade Dynasty" and "The Legend of Hei," which have screening for weeks, maintained their appeal to movie-goers.

Animal-related films are usually heart-warming, and "Little Q" is no exception. In the film, veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam stars as the leading role Lee Po-ting, a talented pastry chef who loses his eyesight and is hit by frustration. After some struggles, he gradually accepts the help and company of a guide dog named little Q. The story is told in a tender tone and many people have used "tear-jerking" in their comments online.

The story is actually based on a Japanese novel "The Life of Quill, the Seeing-Eye Dog" by Ryohei Akimoto and Kengo Ishiguro, which is adapted from a true story. The touching story was also once adapted into a film named "Quill" (2004) in Japan.

However, "Little Q," under the direction of Law Wing-cheong, cannot simply be categorized as a "remake." Made by cast and crew from Hong Kong SAR, the film is created with local characteristics and different details in the plot.

At its promotional event in various cities in China, cast members also tried to advocate for the acceptance of guide dogs in the society. Although they're strictly selected and trained, and are crucial helpers for the blind to involve in the normal life, prejudice prevails. The film makers hope would be more accepting and respectful of guide dogs after watching the film.

The upcoming National Day holiday and historical films

Another box office hit this week, "Mao Zedong 1949," is a warm up for movies with a similar theme during the National Day holiday.

Set at a time before the PRC was founded, the film tells how the Communist Party of China solved problems and prepared for the founding of the new China. Besides Chairman Mao, ordinary people like the guardian, the broadcast announcer, the soldier, and more are also featured. 

"The character of Chairman Mao is so vivid, more real, and closer to our life," Ms Qin, an viewer said, "bickering with the guardian, catch bird with his daughter…we rarely see a Chairman Mao that's so intimate, lively, and interesting. In this film, he's real and lovely like our parents."

Next week, three other films are set to raise national pride. They are "My People, My Country," a film co-directed by seven award-winning directors focusing on seven historical events of PRC; "The Climbers," a film about how the National Mountaineering Team overcame obstacles to conquer Qomolangma; and "The Captain," a film based on a real flight crisis. 

Which one will be the winner? Let's wait and see.