Youth director Long Jiabin introduces the cast to Zhongshan Daily. (Photo/Feng Mingmin)

On the morning of August 10, youth director Long Jiabin and his crew were searching around in Shengshi Village, Shaxi Town for dwellings with Lingnan characteristics as they making photographic records.

Cantonese movie A Song For My Grandpa, which will be directed by Long, is scheduled to start shooting in Zhongshan later this year. With a combination of music, comedy and other elements, the movie tells the story of a frustrated singer who returns to his hometown and takes over his grandfather's herbal tea store, only to be healed by herbal tea and regain his love for music.

When asked why he chose to film in Zhongshan, Long said Zhongshan, among many other cities, gave him a different sense of ease and comfort. A film created in such a city with emotional connections will be more touching.

In addition to herbal tea, A Song For My Grandpa will also feature local delicacies and tourist attractions in Zhongshan, and show the charm of traditional music, such as nursery rhymes, Cantonese opera and Salty-water Songs, Chinese Kungfu and calligraphy through rural music and dancing. Local stars will be preferred in the casting.

The crew has formed partnerships with the Xiaolan Chamber of Commerce and the Xiaolan Drama Club, and the shooting will be started in Xiaolan and Shaxi towns by the end of the year, Long added.