Headlines from China: Three Hollywood Movies Score January China Releases

Three Hollywood Movies Score January China Releases

‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi,’ ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,’ and ‘Ferdinand’ have been scheduled to release in China in January, 2018, according to sources familiar with the matter. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm, ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ will open in Chinese theaters on January 5. ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ which was released in China in January 2016, earned 826 million yuan ($125 million). Sony Pictures Entertainment’s ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ has reportedly scored a January 12 China release. ‘Ferdinand’ is produced by Blue Sky Studios and will be released in China on January 19. Blue Sky Studios’ ‘Ice Age: Collision Course‘ made 447 million yuan ($67.8 million) in China in 2016. Read more on Mtime

Ang Lee Will Use VR Technology in His New Film ‘Gemini Man’

Last Saturday, acclaimed Taiwanese director Ang Lee attended the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and talked about his latest production ‘Gemini Man’ during an interview session. Ang Lee reveals that he will continue to use high frame rate in this movie. In addition, he will use VR technology, although the movie itself is not a VR movie. Starring Will Smith, ‘Gemini Man’ tells the story of a retired assassin who faces off against himself, a clone who is 25 years younger. Read more on Sohu

Golden Horse Film Festival Recognizes Mainland Chinese Arthouse Filmmaker

On November 25, the award ceremony of the 54th Golden Horse Film Festival took place in Taipei. Taiwanese film ‘The Great Buddha+’ led the competition, receiving 5 awards in total. Taiwanese director Yang Ya-che’s ‘The Bold, The Corrupt, and the Beautiful’ won the coveted Best Film Award. The Best Director Award went to mainland Chinese filmmaker Vivian Qu for her drama film ‘Angels Wear White.’ In 2013, the jury of the 50th Golden Horse Film Festival, which was led by Ang Lee, gave the Best Film Award to a film (‘Ilo Ilo,’ Singapore, 2013) outside the greater China region for the first time, and enhanced the Festival’s reputation as the most prestigious festival for Chinese language cinema. Read more on yuledujiaoshou

Huayi Brothers Media Announces Over 30 TV Drama Series

Recently, Huayi Brothers Media announces a list of over 30 TV drama series as a return to the TV sector of China’s entertainment market. This time, the company will focus on producing mini web series of 8-11 episodes. Once China’s most successful film production company, Huayi Brothers Media diversifies its business endeavors in recent years, tapping into the capital market and the theme park business. In a recent interview, Huayi Brothers’ President Wang Zhonglei stresses that the company is a content company after all, and producing quality film, TV, and variety shows is always the company’s core mission. Read more on Ent Group