Why China’s 110 Million Yuan for Pixar’s ‘Cars 3’ is Somehow Embarrassing
Disney/Pixar’s ‘Cars 3’ has raked in 110 million yuan in China after one week in release, which doesn’t look shabby if we don’t mention the animation is produced by Pixar. In North America, Pixar’s animations are generally very well received. Six of Pixar’s films are among the 20 highest-grossing animated films of all time. Since 1996, Pixar has released 13 animations in the Chinese market. But the total box office revenue generated by these 13 films are less than 1.1 billion yuan. Meanwhile, ‘Despicable Me’ film series’ third installment ‘Despicable Me 3’ eared more than 1 billion yuan this summer in China. Read more on Mtime
Hit Chinese Documentary ‘Twenty Two’ to Open in North America on September 8
Themed around World War II sex slaves, hit Chinese documentary ‘Twenty Two’ is confirmed to open theatrically in North America, Australia, and New Zealand in September. “For a meaningful and important film like this, its box office performance is not the most important thing. We hope to give overseas Chinese an opportunity to see this documentary and remember this part of the history’, says the film’s international distributor. Audiences in North America will be able to see this documentary in select theaters starting on September 8. Read more on Sina
Four Films from Greater China Enters the 22nd Busan International Film Festival
On August 31, the 22nd Busan International Film Festival announced this year’s lineup of ‘New Currents’ section, which is the festival’s main competition section presenting works by up-and-coming Asian filmmakers. Among the ten selected titles, four are from the Greater China region. They are ‘Somewhere Beyond the Mist’ by King Wai Cheung, ‘End of Summer‘ by Zhou Quan, ‘One Night on the Wharf’ by Han Dong, and ‘The Last Verse’ by Tseng Ying-Ting. Read more on Mtime
26 Chinese Cinemas Are Exposed by Industry Regulator for Box Office Fraud
Recently, China Film Distribution and Exhibition Association released a list of movie theaters that involved in box office fraud. This is the second time the Association releases such a list since China’s New Film Law took effect on March 1, 2017. Most of the theaters on the list are located in third and fourth tier cities. The Association didn’t mention how these cinemas would be penalized. Last time, the Association exposed 326 movie theaters for box office fraud, and 126 were ordered to suspend operations for rectification. Read more on Sohu
Alibaba Reacts to LeEco Acquisition Rumor
On September 1 (Beijing Time), Weibo account ‘Things on the Internet’ (‘互联网的那点事’) says that according to an internal source, Alibaba is acquiring LeEco. Alibaba then reacts to this social media post, stating that the company has no plan to acquire LeEco. LeEco also responds to this news, saying they have no clue about such an acquisition. An investor who is involved with LeEco tells ifeng’s reporter that it’s possible that Alibaba will purchase stake in LeEco. But it’s unlikely that LeEco’s chairman Sun Hongbin will sell the company. Read more on ifeng