WAITING ALONE
Written & Directed by DAYYAN ENG
Starring XIA YU, LI BINGBING, GONG BEIBI
With cameos from some of Asia's biggest stars, including the legendary CHOW YUN-FAT
SUMMARY:
Set in Beijing, the film is a window into modern Chinese youth culture. Waiting Alone is a coming-of-age tale which tells the first-person-narrative story of Wen (Xia Yu), an antique shop co-owner and an aspiring author who feels that he's met the perfect girl (Li Bingbing). But no matter how close he and the girl become, he just doesn't understand why she won't fall for him. Aided by his best friends and the one girl he completely trusts (Gong Beibi), he tries different ways to woo her, playing along within the “rules of the game”...
THE FILM:
NO KUNG-FU! NO CONCUBINES! NO PEASANTS!
This is the real metropolitan China most Westerners don't see.
The film that rocked audiences across China and became the biggest word-of-mouth hit amongst young people.
- The best-reviewed film of 2005 in China -- and as of 2025, still remains the highest-rated Chinese rom-com on Douban and critic sites (over 300,000 user votes)
- #1 Best-selling Chinese DVD nationwide in October & November, 2005
- #1 Ratings upon Chinese national TV premiere
Nominated for 3 awards, including "BEST PICTURE" and "BEST ACTRESS", at the 2005 Chinese academy awards (Golden Rooster Awards). The first ever by a foreign director, as well as the only first-feature and the only indie film in the category.
AWARDS
- Winner, Best First Feature Award - 2005 Beijing Students Film Festival
- Winner, Best Actor Award - 2005 Beijing Students Film Festival
- Nominated, Best Picture - 2005 Chinese academy awards
- Nominated, Best Actress - 2005 Chinese academy awards
- Nominated, Best Art Direction - 2005 Chinese academy awards
- Official Selection - 17th Tokyo International Film Festival
- Official Selection - 2006 Thessaloniki International Film Festival
- Official Selection - 2006 Hawaii International Film Festival
POSTERS
Theatrical Poster
Festival Poster
REVIEWS & QUOTES
- New Cinema Magazine:
- “The funniest Chinese-language film of 2005!”
- Variety:
- “Waiting Alone provides honest laughter and touching moments as it invades the modern romantic comedy turf of Woody Allen and Nora Ephron... Will leave the cinema with a joyous bang.”
- Over 50 Chinese media outlets agree:
- “One of the top 10 must-see movies of the year!”
- Shanghai Weekly:
- “Urban and hip... superb use of dialogue and music.”
- Beijing Youth Weekly:
- “The most anticipated director of 2005.”
- Film World Magazine:
- “Waiting Alone brings a uniquely new style and approach to Chinese cinema; it is one that cannot be found in past Chinese films. Eng is a strong and unique new talent in Chinese cinema.”
- MonkeyPeaches.com:
- “Top 10 Best of 2005! A fast paced comedy, which offers nothing but fun.”
- Variety International Film Guide 2006:
- One of the top 5 best Chinese films of 2005.