PLA general's descendant complains about "sissy" casting of "The Founding of an Army"

CGTN photo

The historical war drama 'The Founding of an Army', expected to premiere on July 28th, is no doubt one of the most eye-catching Chinese movies of this year.

While many moviegoers are concerned that the film might feel more like a history lecture than an entertaining summer blockbuster, others complained about the casting and that the pick of a Hong Kong director known for his gangster films would destroy and distort that period of revolutionary history.

Screengrab from Ye Daying's Weibo account

"As a descendant of General Ye Ting, I doubt that both the directors know about the history at all! It's more likely that they are making use of major historic events to make a big fortune!," Ye Daying, grandson of Ye Ting, also a well-known film director questioned on Twitter-like social platform Weibo on Tuesday.

Ye also singled out the actor playing the role of Ye Ting in the movie, saying, "picking this sissy who can't even stand up well, who do you want to humiliate?"

Ou Hao plays the role of Ye Ting in 'The Founding of an Army' /movie poster

Ye Ting (September 10, 1896 –April 8, 1946), was one of the most respected Chinese military leaders who's seen as one of the founding members of the People's Liberation Army.

The actor playing Ye Ting in 'The Founding of an Army' is 24-year-old Ou Hao, who earned his fame in a talent show and starring in a series of dramas.

And Ou is not the only idol. Long before the movie's premiere, it has been under hot debate for depicting CPC and PLA leaders with a group of youngsters known as "young flesh," or "xiaoxianrou", which refers to good-looking and 20-something idols in China.

Zhang Yixing, a "young flesh" actor playing the role of Lu Deming in 'The Founding of an Army' /movie poster

Netizens' reactions seem divided on Weibo.

Some believe that "young flesh" actors are expected to attract more audiences to the cinema and better inform youth of the country's history.

"Director Ye, it could be good if these young fleshes could bring more youngsters born in the 1990s and 2000s to watch the movie and to be interested in this period of history!" said @wenhuibeiludexiaohuozi.

Li Yifeng, a "young flesh" actor playing the role of He Changgong in 'The Founding of an Army' /movie poster

Others agreed with Ye Daying.

"Why can't Ye express his dissatisfaction about depiction of his own grandfather?" commented user pingchenqinghe.

As a response, the film crew has made an official comment by reposting Ye Daying's Weibo and inviting Ye to the cinema.

"The Founding of an Army will premiere in two days in the mainland. We welcome Director Ye's movie review!"

As the last work of a trilogy that includes "The Founding of a Republic" and "Beginning of the Great Revival", "The Founding of an Army" celebrates the 90th anniversary of China's army day on August 1st.