Deng Chao released his first book of the series Super and Superman: Magical Life in the Movie Kingdom, and will hold the initial release, as well as a book signing event at major Beijing bookstore – Wang Fujing . After nearly a year, Deng Chao and the first “Superman”, Wang Zhongjun, CEO of  Chinese mega film company Huayi Brothers, will share the cultures, customs, and landmarks of New Zealand to its readers. The main focus of the book will be on the details of New Zealand’s theater and movie arts, which includes interviews with the renowned Weta Workshop, where the special effects were created not only for classics like Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, King Kong, but also for the recent globally popular movie Avatar.

Unlike the majority who thinks of the Hollywood when the the subject of “movies” is brought up, Deng Chao wisely chose New Zealand as the location for his first round of the Super and Superman series. He believes that as the “Youngest Country on Earth”, New Zealand contains many mysteries for its visitors to discover. When visiting the the movie set of the Lord of the Rings, Deng Chao was in awe: “I knew that that Queenstown was a replicate of the classical ‘world of Middle Earth’ in the movie, but it was only when I’m actually here I realized that all those poetic names I have remembered and admired were only daily habitats of the Queenstown locals.”

Although photos were not allowed at the Weta Workshop due to privacy reasons, Deng Chao used descriptive words to present his trip to the readers: “The workshop is about 6500 squared feet big, where all props were designed, made, and fixed. The most interesting section was the mask making room, where three sides of the walls were filled with life-sized facial models of various Hollywood stars. These models were made to make after-effect productions more convenient, and measurements were taken especially from the stars.” In this cultural exchange, movie makers of New Zealand also expressed strong interest in the Chinese market, and hoped to work with respected others in the Chinese movie industry.

Deng Chao seated between two 20-year old musicians - Bill of Tokio Hotel and Chris Brown

Deng Chao also went to Italy for Milan Fashion Week, where he spent time before heading back to China to continue acting in the play he stars and crossdresses in, Cui Hua. Next he will be seen in Tsui Hark’s Detective D / Di Ren Jie movie, with Andy Lau and Li Bingbing.

Translation Credits: ixiedin