China’s box office surged over the July 18–20 weekend, led by a strong showing from local-language titles. “The Lychee Road,” a period drama distributed by Aimmedia Pictures, opened in first place with RMB170.3 million ($23.7 million), according to data from Artisan Gateway.
Including previews, the film has amassed a $31.7 million cumulative total. Directed by Dong Chengpeng and scripted by Si’ao Dai and Yuyue Shen (based on Ma Boyong’s novel), “The Lychee Road” follows petty official Li Shande (Dong Chengpeng) as he embarks on a nearly impossible mission: delivering fresh lychees across 5,000 miles during the Tang Dynasty to appease the imperial court’s demand.
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