Frances McDormand To Collaborate With Chinese Director Chloe Zhao
Oscar-winning actress Frances McDormand has announced at the 33rd annual Independent Spirit Awards that she will be working with director Chloe Zhao in a future film. Zhao, who is Veteran Chinese actress Song Dandan’s stepdaughter, won Film Independent’s inaugural Bonnie Award for her film The Rider, which she produced and directed. The Rider is a Western drama film that centers around a South Dakota rodeo rider and his dreams. Song posted a message on Weibo congratulating her stepdaughter. Read more on Mtime
Baidu’s AI Robot To Be The Chinese Spokesperson For ‘Pacific Rim Uprising’
Upcoming sci-fi action Pacific Rim Uprising has announced its Spokesperson for China, Baidu’s robot, Xiaodu. This is the first time a robot has represented a Hollywood film. Directed by Steven S. DeKnight and featuring Chinese actress Jing Tian, Pacific Rim Uprising is coming to theaters March 23, 2018. Read more on Sohu
More Oscar-Nominated Films Released In China
The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, All the Money in the World, three Oscar nominees were coincidentally released in China right around the time winners were being announced at the 90th Academy Awards. Other Oscar-nominated films that were released earlier this year include Wonder, The Greatest Showman, and Darkest Hour. Additionally, Over 20 Oscar-nominated films have signed licensing deals with Chinese video sites, making them accessible to a wider audience. International films across genres are well-accepted in China and compared to theatrical releases, it is more cost-effective for online video platforms to acquire streaming rights. Read more on entgroup.cn
‘The Shape of Water’ To Be Released Uncut In China
Bagging Best Picture and three other Oscars at the 90th Academy Awards, fantasy drama film The Shape of Water is set to release in China March 16, 2018, and reportedly uncut. The global box office of the film has reached $127 million, making the second highest-grossing Oscar-winning film after Argo. Read more on Mtime
