Ping Pong: The Triumph

Ping Pong: The Triumph (Chinese: 中国乒乓之绝地反击) is a 2023 Chinese sports drama film co-directed by Deng Chao with Yu Baimei. The film starring Deng Chao with Sun Li and Xu Weizhou is set in 1992 to 1995, and follows a table tennis coach based on Cai Zhenhua, who comes back from abroad to serve as the coach with a resolve to make a difference. Under his leadership, five players, Ding Song, Ma Wenge, Wang Tao, Liu Guoliang, and Kong Linghui, played in Tianjin. The story of a desperate counterattack in the World Championships.[2]

Ping Pong: The Triumph
Theatrical release poster
Chinese中国乒乓之绝地反击
LiterallyChina's table tennis counterattack
Directed by
Written by
  • Yu Baimei
  • Pei Liu
  • Hui Meng
Starring
CinematographyMax Da-Yung Wang
Edited byBallu Saluja
Music byAndrew Kawczynski
Production
company
Hengye Pictures
Distributed byChina Lion Film Distribution
Release date
  • 17 February 2023 (2023-02-17) (China)
Running time
137 minutes
CountryChina
LanguageChinese
Box officeUS$23,954[1]

Cast

Release

The film was initially released on 24 January 2023, but due to lack of response, it was put on limited viewing the next day. It was re-released on 17 February 2023.[3]

Reception

James Marsh of South China Morning Post rated the film 3/5 and wrote, "Ping Pong: The Triumph is a slick and polished production fuelled by national pride and rose-tinted nostalgia." He praised the ensemble, writing, "the spirited ensemble, keeps us invested in the individual challenges and struggles faced by the team’s so-called 'Five Tiger Generals' when they are away from the table." He concluded, "While perhaps not a sporting classic for the ages, Ping Pong: The Triumph should get its intended audience on its feet".[4] Carla Hay of Culture Mix opined in his review that the film is "more than about winning games." Hay added, "All aspects of the movie (the writing, direction and acting) are not terrible, but neither are they outstanding." She found the screenplay "somewhat bland" but action scenes "well-filmed". Hay wrote, "It's a very formulaic and predictable 'underdog' sports story, but there are enough riveting scenes of table tennis/ping pong competitions to keep viewers interested."[5]

Soundtrack
""No One Called "Hey"""
Song by Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski
ReleasedJanuary 20, 2023 (2023-01-20)[6]
Length4:35
LabelEast Asia Record Production Company Limited
Songwriter(s)Tang Tian
Producer(s)Yu Fei
Official video
Ping Pong: The Triumph - Song on YouTube

Accolades
Award Date Category Recipient Result Ref.
Golden Rooster Awards 4 November 2023 Best Picture Ping Pong: The Triumph Pending [7]
Best Director Deng Chao, Yu Baimei Pending
Best Art Direction Huo Tingxiao Pending
Best Sound Recording Feng Yanming, Lin Xuelin Pending

References
  1. "Ping Pong: The Triumph (2023)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  2. Zhu Yijin (21 January 2023). "中國乒乓 黎明時隔多年再為電影獻聲 休閒打扮出鏡型格不變" [China Table Tennis | Lai Ming lent his voice to a movie after many years, and his style remains unchanged when he appears in casual attire]. HK01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  3. Zhang Xiaoha (26 January 2023). "最慘春節片只播2天！ 「突發二次上映」遭嗆：老套題材啥時播都一樣 | Ettoday星光雲 | ETtoday新聞雲" [The worst Spring Festival movie will only be aired for 2 days! "Sudden second release" was choked: the same old themes are broadcast no matter what time]. ETtoday (in Chinese). Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  4. Marsh, James (14 March 2023). "Review – Ping Pong: The Triumph movie review – Deng Chao recalls China's overcoming of table tennis struggles in rousing 1990s-set sports drama". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  5. Hay, Carla (26 February 2023). "Review: Ping Pong: The Triumph". Culture Mix. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  6. Chen Nan (17 January 2023). "Theme song of upcoming sports movie released". China Daily. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  7. "第36届金鸡奖入围名单公布！惠英红：看到了我这粒尘埃" [The shortlist for the 36th Golden Rooster Awards has been announced! Hui Yinghong: I saw this speck of dust in me]. 8world Entertainment Lifestyle (in Chinese). 15 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
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