A Still from The Ex-File: The Return of the Exes
A Run-down of China’s Private Studios in 2017
Huayi Brothers Media, Wanda Pictures, Beijing Enlight Media, Bona Film Group, and Le Vision Pictures are considered top 5 private studios in China. In 2017, some of them successfully enhanced their prominent positions in the Chinese film market, while some didn’t. Huayi Brothers is no doubt the best performing one, especially with the success of its recent releases, including Youth and The Ex-File: The Return of the Exes. Bona doubled its box office revenue in 2017 with its continued strength in producing and distributing main-melody films and Hong Kong films. Wanda participated in the production and distribution of 30 films, yet its major productions didn’t achieve impressive commercial success. Beijing Enlight Media‘s performance is rather disappointing. Although the company produced/distributed the same number of films compared to last year, it only made about half of last year’s revenue. Finally, Le Vision Pictures, which is owned by the troubled LeEco, only produced/distributed 10 films, and none of them are on the list of 2017 top 25 highest-grossing films in China. Read more on D-entertainment.
‘The Ex-File: The Return of the Exes’ Beats ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ in Half a Day
After strong debuts in North America and Europe, Star Wars: The Last Jedi finally opened in China, the last major territory to release the film. However, despite a 37.2 percent screen share, the film’s ticket sales has fallen behind local romantic comedy The Ex-File: The Return of the Exes in half a day. While the “Star Wars” franchise has cultivated huge fan bases in North America and Europe over the past decade or so, its fan base in China is relatively small, as the first six films did not all get theatrical releases in China. Read more on yiyuguancha
American-Australian Thriller Film ‘2:22’ Set for January 26 China Release
2:22, an American Australian thriller film directed by Paul Currie, has scored a January 26 China release, according to the film’s official Chinese poster. Starring Michiel Huisman and Teresa Palmer, the film tells the story of Dylan Branson, whose life is derailed when an ominous pattern of events repeats itself in exactly the same manner every day, ending at precisely 2:22 p.m. The Chinese poster highlights that Michiel Huisman was chosen by American magazine TC Candler as the most handsome face of 2016. Read more on Mtime
Guomai Culture Media Receives $45 M of Funding from Bona and IDG
On January 3, China-based publishing house Guomai Culture Media announced that the company had completed two rounds of financing, receiving $45 million of funding from Bona Film Group and IDG Capital. Founded by renowned Chinese publisher and film producer Lu Jinbo, Guomai Culture Media has close ties with popular Chinese writers Han Han and Feng Tang, and has invested in several local films, such as Duckweed, Ever Since We Love, and Surprise. Bona’s investment indicates that Guomai will further expand its business in film. Read more on Ent Group
