Headlines from China: ‘Wolf Warrior 2’ and ‘Youth’ Have No Luck to be Released in Taiwan

An official still of ‘Youth’

‘Wolf Warrior 2’ and ‘Youth’ Have No Luck to be Released in Taiwan

Recently, Taiwan announces a list of mainland Chinese films to be released theatrically in that region in 2018. Each year, Taiwan sets a quota to allow a certain number of mainland Chinese productions to be released in Taiwan. Submitted films reportedly go through a random selection (“lottery”) process to gain a theatrical slot. This year, 66 films from the mainland are submitted, and 10 films are selected. This year’s selected films include ‘Namiya,’ ‘A Better Tomorrow 4,’ ‘Transcendent,’ ‘Free and Easy,’ ‘Plastic China,’ ‘Old Beast,’ ‘Cook Up A Storm,’ ‘The Dreaming Man,’ ‘Soul Mate,’ and ‘Battle of Memories.’ Box office smash hit ‘Wolf Warrior 2’ and the highly anticipated ‘Youth’ are not selected. Read more on Sina

‘Loving Vincent’ to Open in Chinese Theaters on December 8 

‘Loving Vincent,’ the world’s first fully painted feature film, has scored a December 8 China release, according to sources familiar with the matter. Written and directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, the film tells the life story, and in particular, the circumstances of the death, of Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. The film has received several awards worldwide and will compete for the Oscar Nomination for Best Animated Feature with animations such as ‘Coco’ and ‘In This Corner of the World.’ Read more on Mtime 

John Woo’s Restored ‘A Better Tomorrow’ Grosses $3 Million Yuan Within Three Days

‘A Better Tomorrow,’ a classic Hong Kong crime film directed by John Woo, has earned 20 million yuan ($3 million) in mainland China after 3 days in release. As of now, the average attendance rate of the film is 16.6 percent. As a film made over 20 years ago, the performance of this restored classic is not disappointing. In addition to generating box office revenue, the distributor of the film aims to remind Chinese audience of the charm of John Woo’s action movies and create buzz for the upcoming release of John Woo’s latest film ‘Manhunt,’ which marks Woo’s return to the action genre after him making studio blockbusters in Hollywood and directing epic dramas in Asia over the past 14 years. Read more on Ent Group

‘Only The Brave’ Set for December 8 China Release

American biographical action drama film ‘Only The Brave’ has scored a December 8 Chinese release, according to an official announcement made on November 22 (Beijing Time). The film is written based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of firefighters whose mission was to fight wildfires. Directed by Joseph Kosinsky, the film stars Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, and Jeff Bridges. Read more on Mtime