Facing Facts in Underset with Producer Wendi Sun

Where does the truth lie and to whom can you turn to acquire it? The news, the government, social media? The truth is found by venturing on an uneasy and cumbersome path, which is why so few arrive at it. Throughout history, it’s often the artists who prompt us to question our assessment, even when it is unpopular. When an artist presents the flaws or mistakes of their own culture, it’s an indication that they are not seeking popularity but rather leading us all on a course to consider the vacillating sense of right and wrong that is a part of human nature. The film Underset presents such a scenario and producer Wendi Sun was instrumental in its presentation to American audiences. A tale of early Twentieth Century China, Underset implores us to ask not only what occurred in China but cautions us to be vigilant about justice and government oversight no matter what geographic location you call home. A producer who is known for numerous international toned and collaborated upon productions, Wendi continually establishes that he is committed to making films which speak to all peoples and the universality of the human experience. He was drawn to this film because of its cautionary message of not being told the truth but seeking it out for one’s self. Underset has received awards from the Rome Film Festival (Best Director), Macau International Movie Festival (Best Actress, Best Original Score), and others; a strong indication of the impact of this film in a global sense.

Underset is a tale as epic and layered as any of Hollywood’s most lauded films. A female heroine named Bai Xiuying searches for the truth concerning the death of her newlywed husband Zhang Qianyue. Bai’s devoted father is overcome during the court hearings and becomes gravely ill. This drama as well as a mysterious female corpse and political corruption are all set in a past period of the Republic of China. All of these aspects are a layered house of cards which threatens the belief of the people in the country’s system of justice. It’s a story that seems both timeless and timely these days. Producer Wendi Sun confirms that a thorough search of studios led the production to Stellar International studio of Yangsong town in Beijing. It’s pre-existing Republic of China period sets and proximity to super markets, parking lots, hospital, hotels, expressways, and filmmaking equipment has established Stellar International as a premier venue for many films.

It’s no secret that marketing to both Chinese and American film audiences has become a boon to many films and production companies. Evidence of China’s increasing global influence is found with its inclusion in a number of hugely successful films. The James Bond film Skyfall was set in Macau. Looper, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, was a coproduction between the US and China (DMG Entertainment). Perhaps most impressively, China accounted for nearly a third of the total US$576 million box office take of the Marvel Studios smash hit Avengers: Endgame. As early as the preproduction phase of Underset, Sun was in charge of promotion and distribution of this film. Creating topics on different platforms about this era of China’s history (1920s-1930s), Wendi primed interest about this period and attracted the attention of those intrigued by Chinese stories. During postproduction, Sun held screenings with American investors to offer insight into the Chinese way of filmmaking. Wendi is passionate and committed to the collaboration of artists from these two countries and their ability to cultivate understanding through the medium of film. His work towards reaching out to US investors and audiences for Underset testifies to this. He professes, “As a Chinese filmmaker, I can confirm that the collaboration between China and US artists is a mutually beneficial one. I am willing to create more Chinese stories for American audiences to give them a deeper understanding of China and Chinese culture. We can create a bridge between the two countries by seeing these stories through the eyes of the people who experienced them. This is the paramount social importance in the world but there is also a huge economic gain and development for both. Through this we can contribute to world peace and prosperity.”