China Urges Entertainment Industry to Self-check Tax Filing
While Chinese actress Fan Bingbing’s tax evasion case finally drew a conclusion, it’s only the beginning of Chinese authorities’ efforts in cracking down tax-related issues in the entertainment industry. On October 8, China’s tax bureau requires entertainment firms, including production companies, talent agencies, performing arts groups, and celebrity studios, to self-check tax filings from 2016 to 2018. As Fan Bingbing was fined for receiving under-the-table payments by signing “yin-yang” contracts, industry people have been heatedly discussing the legality of “yin-yang” contracts. Lawyer Ye Yongqing points out that singing multiple contracts for one project is not necessarily illegal. This type of practice is only illegal when the purpose of signing multiple contacts is to hide income and avoid paying tax. Read more on Sina
‘Venom’ Is Rumored To Release in China on November 2
A rumor is circulating on the internet that American superhero movie Venom will be released in China on November 2, but the film’s distributor Sony Pictures Releasing has yet to officially confirm this news. Directed by Ruben Fleischer and starring Tom Hardy, the film is centered around journalist Brock who gains superpowers after being bound to an alien symbiote whose species plans to invade Earth. The character first appeared in Sony’s Spider-Man 3. Vernon opened in North America on October 5 and received polarizing reviews. Read more on Mtime
Peter Chan Starts Shooting Feature Film About Chinese Tennis Player Li Na
Recently, renowned Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Chan started shooting Li Na, a feature film about the China’s two-time Grand Slam (tennis) winner. The film will follow Li Na’s journey from starting professional practice at age six to eventually becoming a world champion. The film is written by Zhang Ji who collaborated with Chan as a screenwriter on American Dreams in China and Dearest in the past. Read more on Mtime
