Film poster of Ning Hao's late film "Breakup Buddies." Photo provided to China Daily

Cast members promote Ning Hao's latest film

Ning Hao talks about new film

But one viewer stood up to ask the director after the premiere: "Why did you choose such a huge screen? It's a 2-D comedy. I feel a bit dizzy."

Awkwardness ensued. Nobody would answer. Some suspect higher ticket prices are the reason.

Then again, the industry exists to make money.

Beijing Film Academy professor Chen Shan tells China News Weekly: "Comedies have become a fad in China because they're lucrative. The market isn't mature. The box office results don't guarantee quality. Their popularity merely shows people want something fun to relieve pressure."

But some industry analysts like Yang Jinsong, director of Alibaba Pictures, who has seen Breakup Buddies, believe such comedies are deeper than critics give them credit for.

"These high-grossing films reveal morality through satire," Yang says.

"For example, when Ning Hao exaggerates the portrayals of men pursuing one-night stands, he's actually demonstrating his judgment against such behavior." X

Ultimately, audiences will decide on what the popularity of such films means for society and the industry. And it seems likely Breakup Buddies and comparable comedies that follow will draw large audiences who'll ultimately serve as jurors.