Feng Xiaogang’s ‘Youth’ Cancels September 29 Release for Unspecified Reasons
Various news sources reported on September 23 that the September 29 China release of Feng Xiaogang‘s ‘Youth’ had been cancelled, which was verified later by Feng Xiaogang and Huayi Brother‘s President Wang Zhonglei. Feng and Wang didn’t explain why the release was cancelled. However, local media suggest that the cancellation was caused by the sensitive topics the film touched upon, such as sent-down youth during the Cultural Revolution, the Sino-Vietnam War, and veterans. ‘Youth’ was highly anticipated by Chinese audiences, and was expected to have dominated China box office during the weeklong National Day (Oct. 1) holiday. Read more on San Sheng
What Makes ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ More Successful than ‘Dunkirk’ in China
After 23 days in release, Christopher Nolan’s ‘Dunkirk’ has raked in 337 million yuan in China. Before ‘Dunkirk‘ opened in Chinese theaters, many people predicted that it would surpass ‘Hacksaw Ridge‘ to become the highest-grossing war film in China. Unfortunately, ‘Dunkirk’ is unlikely to live up to this expectation. According to Mtime’s analysis, ‘Dunkirk’ has a rather complicated storyline, which is not something Chinese audiences expect to see in a war movie. In addition, due to the lack of recognizable stars, it’s a bit challenging for Chinese audiences to remember the main characters and fully understand the plot. Last but not least, the majority of war films available in China tell stories of heroes. While Chinese moviegoers are becoming more and more sophisticated, ‘Dunkirk’ is still too nuanced form some of them. Read more on Mtime
Spanish Film ‘The Invisible Guest’ Has Earned Over 100 Million Yuan in China
Suspense film ‘The Invisible Guest’ made over 100 million yuan after 10 days in release, and has become the first Spanish film to break the 100 million yuan record in China. In addition to its commercial success, the film is also critically well received in China, gaining positive reviews and high scores on major Chinese movie review sites, such as Douban, Maoyan, and Tao Piaopiao. On September 24, director of the film, Oriol Paulo, thanked Chinese audiences on Weibo. He says: “What can I say? From the bottom of my heart, thank you guys for making the movie bigger. I am really grateful and happy for this connection.” Read more on 1905
What Chinese TV Shows Can Learn from ‘Game of Thrones’
Chinese TV industry is a big business, especially with the rapid growth of online streaming sites. However, the industry has also been facing criticism and challenges in recent years. Most complaints from the audience are about blatant ad placements and overly stretched storylines. Currently, TV shows in China heavily rely on selling domestic steaming rights and placing ads to generate revenue. For Chinese TV industry to continue to grow in a healthy way, diversifying revenue sources is inevitable, and American TV shows, such as ‘Game of Thrones‘, can inspire some solutions, including exploring overseas markets and selling merchandises. Read more on Ent Group
Film about Chinese Living in New York to Open in China on October 13
‘Love is a Broadway Hit’, a rom-com produced by Wanda Pictures and directed by Taiwanese filmmaker Li Ju-yuan, has been rescheduled for a October 13 release in China. Telling a story of two Chinese performers attempting to make it in New York City, the film was originally scheduled to open on August 25. As a large number of Chinese people are studying and working in the US, the film strives to tell a relatable story that resonates with overseas Chinese. Read more on China News
