In Conversation with Fan Xia, Chief Producer of Detective Chinatown 1900
Gilded glow sweeps across upturned eaves of San Francisco's Chinatown. Beneath century-old grey bricks and black tiles lie undercurrents of mystery and unyielding integrity of Chinese immigrants. As the spotlight of the Cambodia Asian Film Festival fell on the “Golden Romduol Award” for Best Cinematography, Detective Chinatown 1900 lifted the veil of time with its lens, reviving the stories of Chinese settlers at the end of the 19th century on screen. This honor is built upon full-scale reconstruction of century-old scenes, the creative team's bold expansion of genre boundaries, and Chief Producer Fan Xia and her crew's unwavering dedication to crafting compelling narratives. Fueled by curiosity and admiration for this production, we held an in-depth conversation with Ms. Fan Xia to uncover the creative logic behind the profound depth of the Detective Chinatown cinematic universe.
Fan Xia
Veteran Chinese Producer
Filmography: Detective Chinatown 1900, Fireflies in the Sun, Mozart from Space
Q1:
Congratulations on Detective Chinatown 1900 winning the Award for Best Cinematography under the “Golden Romduol Award” in the Main Competition Section of the 3rd Cambodia Asian Film Festival. As Chief Producer, what was your immediate reaction upon hearing the news? Could you share your evaluation of Director of Photography Du Jie's cinematography work on this film?
Fan Xia:
“I was absolutely delighted to hear that Mr. Du received this award, and overjoyed for the entire crew. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to the organizing committee and jury members of the Cambodia Asian Film Festival. The production of Detective Chinatown 1900 was a grueling journey, and the whole filming team poured tremendous effort into every detail. To receive recognition from an international film festival is incredibly uplifting for all of us. Mr. Du Jie has served as Director of Photography for all four installments of the Detective Chinatown franchise. For Detective Chinatown 1900, he seamlessly blended the tense suspense of detective storytelling with authentic period aesthetics, broadening the visual language of the series. This breakthrough carries great significance for our continued development of the franchise as a mature, serialized genre brand.”
Q2:
This installment merges detective comedy with the history of Chinese immigrants in San Francisco Chinatown in the late 1800s. How would you define the unique positioning of this project within the Detective Chinatown franchise? From a producer's perspective, what are the greatest opportunities and challenges of developing a story set in this specific historical era?
Fan Xia:
“As I just mentioned, Detective Chinatown 1900 marks a pivotal expansion for the entire franchise. The previous three chapters are all set in modern international cities, while this entry travels back more than a hundred years to San Francisco Chinatown. It shifts the franchise's genre storytelling from contemporary society to a real, yet relatively unfamiliar historical context, lending the Detective Chinatown universe its first genuine sense of historical depth and adding new cultural and emotional layers to the detective-comedy format.
In terms of opportunities, this historical backdrop unlocks unique creative potential. Late 19th-century Chinatown was inherently rife with dramatic conflict and cultural tension. Placing a detective comedy within this setting generates narrative possibilities unseen in earlier films. While retaining the fun of the genre, we are able to explore deeper collective emotions and historical texture, granting Detective Chinatown 1900 a one-of-a-kind spatial identity within the series.
As for challenges, crafting a story set a century ago posed massive obstacles. The most daunting task was reconstructing San Francisco Chinatown circa 1900 from scratch, as no intact period locations survive for shooting. To deliver immersive, lifelike visuals to audiences, the director and creative team resolved to build the entire settlement from the ground up. This demanded rigorous historical accuracy across art design, costume, makeup, and set construction. We are deeply thankful for the support of the Laoling Municipal Government. In just a few months, we erected 288 full-scale buildings across 300 mu of land in Laoling, Shandong. This was an unprecedented undertaking for our team. Most productions only build partial sets and props, yet we essentially constructed an entire historical town, with every detail subjected to strict historical verification. Every department poured immense energy into meeting this exacting standard.”
Q3:
As a veteran producer in the industry, what unique opportunities and challenges do Asian filmmakers face in production work?
Film Still of Detective Chinatown 1900
Fan Xia:
“Every project carries its own set of hurdles, yet all production work is inherently challenging. I believe Asian producers share similar opportunities and obstacles. The primary opportunity lies in the industry's growing professionalism; the role of producers in project oversight, crew management, and creative coordination has gained greater recognition.
On the challenge side, production schedules are relentless and responsibilities highly complex. Straightforward tasks never land on a producer's desk. We must strike a balance between creative vision, budget constraints, shooting logistics, and post-production execution — fundamentally reconciling financial limits with artistic expression. This requires producers to possess sharp professional judgment and reliable execution capabilities, in my view.”
Film Still of Detective Chinatown 1900
Q4:
Looking back over your career, how have the core responsibilities and required skill sets of Chinese film producers transformed dramatically? From early “project caretakers” to today's all-round strategists versed in capital, market operations, and international distribution, what do you see as the most pivotal shift?
Film Still of Detective Chinatown 1900
Fan Xia:
“The role of the producer has undergone radical transformation over the years, shaped by a rigorous industry-wide filtering process. As professional standards rise, early producers mostly handled logistical support: managing on-set workflows and coordinating departments.
Today's producers oversee full-cycle operations: they must grasp creative direction, identify impactful artistic choices, and judge what trade-offs will elevate the film's quality. They also need deep script comprehension and a clear grasp of the director's artistic vision. Beyond creativity, producers must master financing, production, marketing, and distribution. The most critical evolution is the shift from a purely executive role to a strategic coordinator. Producers must weigh creativity, capital, crew, and market demand holistically, delivering a film that achieves artistic excellence while generating sustainable industrial value.
This role demands a rare blend of strategic thinking and execution capacity, the defining trait of modern Chinese producers. We no longer merely provide logistical support; we elevate that support to meet far higher professional benchmarks.”
Q5:
How do you define and identify a “great story”? When evaluating a project, how do you weigh four core criteria: original screenwriting, public emotional resonance, clear genre positioning, and market potential?
Film Still of Detective Chinatown 1900
Fan Xia:
“For me, a great story must first move audiences — through vivid character emotions and compelling dramatic tension that leaves a lasting impression. It also requires originality and fresh perspectives, as today's viewers have sophisticated tastes and access to a wealth of outstanding films.
When we assess a project, we evaluate multiple dimensions collectively: narrative power, capacity for public resonance, and distinct genre identity. Just as audiences know what cuisine to expect when dining out, marketing must clearly communicate a film's genre positioning.
Market viability matters, yet the heart of every project remains a story that resonates deeply with audiences. That is our foremost priority.”
Q6:
The film breaks new ground in character development and casting. It reimagines the iconic roles played by Wang Baoqiang and Liu Haoran with entirely new personas, and brings Chow Yun-fat on board as Bai Xuanling. His demeanor and appearance fit the character perfectly, embodying the unique charm of a Chinese community leader shielding his compatriots amid oppressive power structures. Are there any memorable performances from the cast as they portrayed these historically weighty roles?
Fan Xia:
“Collaborating with outstanding creators always yields unforgettable moments. Early in script development, the director emphasized innovation repeatedly, warning that stagnation and resistance to evolution would leave creators obsolete in this industry. Guided by this creative philosophy, Wang Baoqiang and Liu Haoran quickly locked into the core traits of their reimagined characters during a concentrated script read-through, demonstrating remarkable intuitive grasp of their roles.
Both actors invested tremendous effort to embody their new personas authentically. Wang Baoqiang's character draws inspiration from Native American tribal aesthetics, requiring revealing physical costuming. When he first saw the costume design, he immediately resolved to slim down to refine his physique. Only one month separated the costume fitting and principal photography, yet he had sculpted an eight-pack to match the character's physicality. Liu Haoran's role features extensive English dialogue; to deliver natural, fluent lines, he devoted his spare time to intensive language training. Their wholehearted dedication to their new roles deeply moved our entire crew.
Chow Yun-fat's professionalism deserves the highest admiration. Our generation grew up watching Hong Kong cinema, and classics such as Once a Thief and A Better Tomorrow left an indelible mark on us — Mr. Chow was our childhood idol. Meeting him in person, we found his dedication and professionalism far exceeded our expectations. He returned to our meeting half a month after receiving the script with the book worn thin from repeated study, every page annotated with detailed character notes and creative ideas. He independently researched the historical context, conceived multiple custom props for the role, and consulted the director's team to refine his concepts. His thoughtful preparation enriched the entire production. Every line delivery and physical gesture on set showed hours of private rehearsal, showcasing the craft of a world-class actor. True superstars earn their status through relentless hard work.
We also witnessed great resilience from Yue Yunpeng. During filming, he fractured a rib after his elbow slammed into his torso. Doctors ordered full rest and avoidance of strenuous movement that same night, yet he strapped on a rib brace and persisted through high-intensity carriage chase sequences set in Chinatown, maintaining full professional composure throughout.
Working alongside such talented crew and performers fills every day with motivation; each individual holds countless lessons worth learning.”
Film Still of Detective Chinatown 1900
Q7:
Viewers notice prominent traditional Chinese medicine elements woven into the investigation sequences. What image of traditional Chinese medicine does Detective Chinatown 1900 aim to convey through these motifs, and how deeply does the film explore TCM culture?
Fan Xia:
“We integrated the core TCM diagnostic framework of “observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation” into the story. Rooted in Chinese cultural heritage, the film aims to showcase China's civilization to global audiences. Traditional Chinese Medicine stands as a source of immense national pride. Rather than constructing a stereotyped image of TCM, we use the detective narrative as a vehicle to display its profound depth and millennia of outstanding cultural heritage. We hope to show the world the remarkable wisdom of the Chinese people.”
Film Still of Detective Chinatown 1900
Notes
This conversation with Ms. Fan Xia transports readers across a hundred years to San Francisco Chinatown through the lens of Detective Chinatown 1900. More than a detective mystery, the film offers a cultural retrospect, weaving historical narratives with modern cinematography to infuse detective comedy with profound cultural weight. Every frame bears witness to the cast's full dedication and meticulous craftsmanship, while the integration of traditional Chinese medicine highlights cultural confidence. It proves that powerful stories transcend centuries, and vivid cinema illuminates overlooked chapters of history.
The credits roll, yet the light lingers. Detective Chinatown 1900 reads like a letter sent from 1900, crossing the mists of time to reach the present. Centuries-old Chinatown is revived on screen, letting the world witness the wisdom and integrity of Chinese immigrants. This cultural resonance will travel across continents, leaving indelible, stirring impressions on audiences worldwide.