Headlines from China: Shanghai Pledges to Offer Film Programs Every Week in 2020

Shanghai Pledges to Offer Film Programs Every Week in 2020

Shanghai plans to be the first Chinese city to host weekly film festivals and special film screening programs throughout the year in 2020, according to the 2020 Film Festival Every Week Plan announced by Shanghai Film Bureau on December 25. The plan currently has 37 themed film programs featuring titles from 17 countries, which offers more diverse choices to the local moviegoers. In addition to the annual Shanghai International Film Festival in June, these film programs will cover 52 weeks of the year. Under the guidance of the Shanghai Film Bureau, the plan is initiated by Shanghai Art Film Federation and will be carried out in collaborations with Shanghai International Film & TV Festival, Shanghai Film Museum, Shanghai Film Archive, Shanghai IFC Mall Palace Cinema, Shanghai Wanda Cinema, and other movie theaters based in the city. Read more on SIFF

Jia Zhangke’s New Documentary ‘Swimming Out Till The Sea Turns Blue’ Passes Chinese Censorship

Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke’s new feature documentary Swimming Out Till The Sea Turns Blue, which was originally named So Close to My Land, will be released in Chinese cinemas in 2020, according to Jia’s post on his Weibo account on December 26. The post is accompanied by two film stills and a photo copy of a government Permit for Theatrical Release, which suggests that the film has successfully passed Chinese censorship. With 18 chapters, Swimming Out Till The Sea Turns Blue explores the 70 years of inner journeys of the Chinese people by following three Chinese novelists (Jia Pingwa, Yu Hua, and Liang Hong) born between 1950 and 1970  and dives into their personal and family stories over the past 70 years since the founding of PRC. Read more on 1905.com

‘Life Is Beautiful’ Lands January 3 China Release

The 4K restored version of Italian classic film Life Is Beautiful has been scheduled for theatrical release on January 3, according to the Chinese film site Mtime. Previously arrived in Chinese cinema in March 2001, it will be the first time for the 4K version of the film to be shown in China. Over the past two years, several classic films got theatrical runs in China. For instance, Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film Spirited Away, released on June 21, earned RMB488 million. Italian film Legend of 1900, opened on November 15, grossed RMB143 million. With these impressive box-office results, it might provide more opportunities for Chinese audiences to view classic films on big screens. Read more on Mtime