14 DAY TRIAL // A year ago, Cheng Guorong was a name that rang a bell with few people, a homeless like any other in China – but that was before a photographer took an interest in him, snapped him on the street and then posted his picture online. Mr. Guorong soon became a viral sensation, even getting the moniker of hottest tramp in the country or “Brother Sharp.” Now, a movie based on his life is in the works, The Telegraph informs.
Film producer Deng Jianguo has confirmed the news that a film based on the tramp will be made. Even more, shooting is about to start later this year, with a release date set tentatively for 2011. It will be a typical rags-to-riches story, but one that will also be marked by sadness, despite the happy ending. Heartthrob Carl Ng will play the tramp, but word in the industry has it that Guorong’s family is not entirely happy about the choice, since he’s taller than the man he’s portraying.
“Mr. Cheng first travelled to Ningbo in 1996 to find work. He was initially successful and was able to send money home after he married and had two sons. However, after being robbed of his savings, he was fired from a succession of jobs until he found himself on the streets. Filled with shame at not being able to provide for his children, he did not call home for years. Several attempts to locate him failed. His family believed he was dead until they saw his picture on the internet in January. When he returned home in March, however, he found that his father and his wife had been killed in a car accident last year. His fans have donated over 100,000 yuan (£10,000) to help Mr. Cheng to get back on his feet,” The Telegraph writes of Brother Sharp’s touching story.
“A Chinese film producer, Deng Jianguo, has announced he will make a film of Mr. Cheng’s life, which is scheduled to start shooting in September. ‘Deng Jianguo called and at first we told him we had no intention of making a movie,’ said the relative. ‘Brother Sharp then travelled to Beijing to do a job for a company and Deng followed him up there to ask again. Finally we went to Shanghai to do an interview for Shanghai television and Deng came there too. It will be a sad story, but at the end there will be the happiness of a family reunion,’ said the relative,” the British publication further reports.
Brother Sharp is now back at home with his family, having resumed his life before becoming a tramp. Interest in him has not faded, though, which is clearly seen from offers that still come his way for advertisements and even gigs for fashion shows.
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