Lead actor Kenji Wu (L) and actress Zhang Jingchu Photo: Courtesy of Chuan Films

Adapted from popular novel Ruguo Buneng Haohao Ai (If You Cannot Love Well), romantic drama The Old Cinderella is set to hit theaters on March 7. During a press conference Sunday afternoon, the film's director, executive producer and actors gathered to talk about certain points of the story.

Touching on sensitive social topics like extramarital affairs, mistresses and aging singles, The Old Cinderella tells the tale of how married woman Xu Ke (Zhang Jingchu) deals with the chance for a new romance after her husband is discovered having an affair and her estranged relationship with her best friend.

Romantic films have always been a popular genre in China. Ex File and Beijing Love Stories are two recent examples.

Having acted in both Ex File and The Old Cinderella, actress Ban Jiajia said that while the former allows the unmarried audience to examine romance, The Old Cinderella provides a window for those who are married.

Interesting and meaningful dialogue is another spotlight of the film. Zhang Jingchu, lead actress and producer of the film, told the press that since the dialogue in the original story was so great only a few changes were made.

For instance the line "Many people have been kicked in the head by a donkey. It's just that the donkey that kicked you is different," remains unchanged from the original.

Believing audiences are able to see a portrait of themselves through the film, director Wu Bai said, "The characters in the script remind me of people around me, including myself. Some real issues [on myself or around me] have been added in unconsciously."