George Chiang From Stage to Screen - Interview by the Film Magazine

The Incredible Journey Of Golden Lotus

Golden Lotus is an epic tale about a forsaken beauty who becomes entangled in a blood-soaked web of love, lust, and revenge. Set during the dying war-torn years of Song Dynasty China, she undergoes a spellbinding journey as the world around her burns into ashes. The musical film, captured live on stage, drives this timeless story with a multifarious score that combines pop rock with Chinese harmonies and instrumentation.

Golden Lotus has garnered over 60 international film festival awards, including Best Picture of The Festival at the Film Fest International Paris. The film has also been nominated for 6 awards at the Film Fest International Rome, including Best English Language Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actress In English Language Feature Film (Harriet Chung), Best Actor In English Language Feature Film (Billy Sy), Best Editing, and Best Costume.

It has been a whirlwind year for Golden Lotus writer, composer, and producer George Chiang who just returned to his home in Toronto, Canada, from Seoul, South Korea.

What inspired you to write Golden Lotus?

I wanted to create an epic "Asian" musical that would touch people's hearts like grand western musicals such as Les Miserables. I scanned the greatest Chinese classics and chose Jin Ping Mei because it is arguably the best Chinese novel ever written. While reading the book, I was captivated by its colorful cast of iconic characters and riveting plot. It is a timeless story, both epic and intimate.

For the full interview, see here.