A total of seven new Chinese films are scheduled to be shown in local cinemas to welcome the Year of the Rabbit, five of which - What Women Want, Under the Influence, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Little Big Panda and The Aroma City - share the same nationwide release date (February 3, the first day of the Chinese New Year). Spring Festival cinema traditionally covers genres like comedy, romance or animation, which suit the festival mood of audiences.

Women audience wanted

Actress Gong Li in What Women Want. [Global Times]

Adapted from the 2000 Hollywood romantic comedy starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt, What Women Want is about a womanizing man's sudden ability to listen in on women's thoughts and finally understand what they want on the path to finding true love. The Chinese remake stars Gong Li and Andy Lau.

"I have mixed Chinese values, morality and humor in the film, and minimized the American elements," said Chen Daming at last week's Beijing press conference.

"I think our version is more reserved and emotional, and the relations between characters are more real and intimate," added actress Gong.

Apart from the film's surreal fantasy element, the fashionable outfits and funny dialogue are also attractive to cinemagoers. "The film is very modern and fashionable, moreover it's about trust; for instance, when Andy Lau's role realizes his problems with his father, daughter and lover, he starts to trust them and opens up with an honest heart. That's how all problems solved," said Chen.

Lau, known for his leading roles such as recent kung fu hit Shaolin where he played a warlord, is back playing his usual role, a handsome, successful man who is popular among women. "I have done a lot of research and talked with women, even the female staff in our team. I learned from them and it helped me get into the role well," Lau said.

"Unlike those who went to acting school and have the same acting style, Andy has his unique way of creating the character, effortlessly and convincingly," commented co-star Gong.