Chinese Regulators Limit Smoking Scenes in Film & TV
On November 7, eight administrative departments of China’s central government jointly released a notice concerning tobacco use among youth. The notice highlights the stricter censorship on smoking scenes in films and television. Smoking scenes that are irrelevant to plots and characterizations should be strictly limited. Scenes involving smoking in public space should be reduced as much as possible. Scenes of juveniles smoking should be banned. Besides, films and television shows containing too many scenes of people smoking can’t be considered for film awards. In June 2019, Chinese Association on Tobacco Control gave the “Dirty Ashtray Award” to Dying to Survive and Hidden Man due to the excessive shots of smoking in these two movies. Read more on Mtime
iQIYI Announces Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results
On November 7, China’s video streaming platform iQIYI announced its unaudited financial report in the third quarter of 2019. According to the report, the company’s total revenues for the third quarter of 2019 were RMB7.4 billion (US$1 billion), representing a 7% increase from the same period in 2018, while the operating loss was RMB2.8 billion (US$396.2 million). As of September 30, iQIYI’s total subscribing members reached 105.8 million. This compares to 80.7 million of total subscribing members as of September 30, 2018, up 31% year over year. Revenue generated from membership services was RMB3.7 billion (US$520 million), representing a 30% increase from the same period in 2018 and accounting for more than a half of total revenues. Online advertising services revenue was RMB2.1 billion (US$289.2 million). Content distribution revenue and other revenues were RMB680.4 million (US$95.2 million) and RMB932.3 million (US$130.4 million), respectively. Read more on PEdaily
A still of ‘Engagement’
Luc Besson-produced ‘Engagement’ Set For China Release
Produced by renowned French filmmaker Luc Besson, Sino-France co-production Engagement has been set to release in Chinese cinemas on November 8. Set in the 1980s, the story follows a French female journalist who arrives in a Chinese rural village, where she meets and falls in love with a Chinese young man. Engagement is the first Chinese film that Luc Besson participated in the production. According to film producer & screenwriter Qiao Wei, he connected with Besson at Beijing International Film Festival in 2016. When Qiao first mentioned his thoughts on producing Engagement, Besson immediately agreed to join in the team and then provided strong support during the production, including his own property as a shooting location. In addition, Juliette Besson, daughter of Luc Besson, plays a leading role in the film, which is her first appearance in a in a Chinese film. Read more on Mtime
