“Dune 2” launched in mainland China cinemas this weekend with a solid $19.9 million three-day haul. That put it in second place, narrowly behind holdover crime-drama “The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon.”
Data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway, showed that “The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon” earned $21.3 million (RMB151 million) between Friday and Sunday, for a 10-day cumulative of $54.1 million (RMB384 million). “Dune 2” managed RMB142 million.
Many Hollywood titles have struggled in China over the past three years, especially franchise titles. But “Dune 2” with its particularly spectacular visuals looks to have escaped the rut.
Giant screen provider Imax, which has nearly 800 screens in the Middle Kingdom, reported that some $6.5 million of the film’s opening weekend was earned at its venues. That was nearly a third of its opening total in China.
Local cinema ticketing firm Maoyan has increased its predictions for “Dune 2’s” performance in China.
Data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway, showed that “The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon” earned $21.3 million (RMB151 million) between Friday and Sunday, for a 10-day cumulative of $54.1 million (RMB384 million). “Dune 2” managed RMB142 million.
Many Hollywood titles have struggled in China over the past three years, especially franchise titles. But “Dune 2” with its particularly spectacular visuals looks to have escaped the rut.
Giant screen provider Imax, which has nearly 800 screens in the Middle Kingdom, reported that some $6.5 million of the film’s opening weekend was earned at its venues. That was nearly a third of its opening total in China.
Local cinema ticketing firm Maoyan has increased its predictions for “Dune 2’s” performance in China.
- 3/11/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Taiwanese black comedy thriller The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon brought some fresh momentum to China’s theatrical box office over the weekend, beating four local blockbusters that had dominated the market since the Lunar New Year holiday kicked off early last month. The hit crime movie, which was released in Taiwan last October, earned a healthy $16.2 million from its mainland China debut.
Zhang Yimou’s Article 20 came in a close second with $16 million, which lifted its cumulative score to a whopping $320.1 million, according to data from Artisan Gateway. The other Chinese holiday tentpoles also continued to do solid business. Han Han’s race car-driving sequel Pegasus 2 earned $14.4 million in its fourth frame for a total of $457.5 million, followed by children’s animation Boonie Bears: Time Twist at $8.7 million ($267.7 million in total) and Jia Ling’s heartwarming comedy Yolo with $8 million ($478.2 million).
The five Chinese films were miles...
Zhang Yimou’s Article 20 came in a close second with $16 million, which lifted its cumulative score to a whopping $320.1 million, according to data from Artisan Gateway. The other Chinese holiday tentpoles also continued to do solid business. Han Han’s race car-driving sequel Pegasus 2 earned $14.4 million in its fourth frame for a total of $457.5 million, followed by children’s animation Boonie Bears: Time Twist at $8.7 million ($267.7 million in total) and Jia Ling’s heartwarming comedy Yolo with $8 million ($478.2 million).
The five Chinese films were miles...
- 3/4/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Andy Lau starrer The Movie Emperor and romantic drama Viva La Vida have had their releases cut short in China amid stiff competition, while Yolo and Pegasus 2 are among four local breakout hits that contributed to a record-breaking $1.1bn box office over Chinese New Year.
Satirical comedy The Movie Emperor earned just $11.1m (RMB80m) after one week following its release on the first day of Chinese New Year (February 10), which also saw the opening of a string of hot local titles.
Chinese producer Huanxi Media issued a statement on social media to say it would be pulled from...
Satirical comedy The Movie Emperor earned just $11.1m (RMB80m) after one week following its release on the first day of Chinese New Year (February 10), which also saw the opening of a string of hot local titles.
Chinese producer Huanxi Media issued a statement on social media to say it would be pulled from...
- 2/21/2024
- ScreenDaily
Worldwide box office February 2-4 Rank Film (distributor) 3-day (world) Cume (world) 3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Yolo (various) $110.4m $110.4m $110.4m $110.4m 1 2. Pegasus 2 (various) $104.6m $104.6m $104.6m $104.6m 3 3. Boonie Bears: Time Twist (various) $60.8m $60.8m $60.8m $60.8m 1 4. Article 20 (various)
$46.6m $46.6m $46.6m $46.6m 1 5. Argylle (Universal) $15.9m $60.1m $9.4m $31.3m 82 6. Anyone But You (Sony) $12.4m $170.1m $9.7m $90m 51 7. Wonka (Warner Bros) 11.6m $587.5m $8.5m $382.3m 75 8. Migration (Universal) $9.7m $235.2m $6.7m $125.0m 80 9. The Movie Emperor (various) $7.9m $7.9m $7.9m $7.9m 6 10. Poor Things (Disney) $7.7m $81.2m $6.6m $50.9m 44
Credit: Comscore. All figures are estimates.
China wins top four spots in...
$46.6m $46.6m $46.6m $46.6m 1 5. Argylle (Universal) $15.9m $60.1m $9.4m $31.3m 82 6. Anyone But You (Sony) $12.4m $170.1m $9.7m $90m 51 7. Wonka (Warner Bros) 11.6m $587.5m $8.5m $382.3m 75 8. Migration (Universal) $9.7m $235.2m $6.7m $125.0m 80 9. The Movie Emperor (various) $7.9m $7.9m $7.9m $7.9m 6 10. Poor Things (Disney) $7.7m $81.2m $6.6m $50.9m 44
Credit: Comscore. All figures are estimates.
China wins top four spots in...
- 2/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
The international box office was generally muted this weekend, save for in China which ushered in the Year of the Dragon on Saturday, and with it the lucrative Chinese New Year moviegoing period. According to early figures from Maoyan, the first two days of Spring Festival 2024 amassed Rmb 2.44B ($339M), just a touch below the comparable days in 2023.
Although Maoyan’s Pegasus 2 was tops on Saturday, the first day of the holiday, ultimately it was the Jia Ling Cfg/Alibaba inspirational film Yolo that won the weekend with an estimated Rmb 804M ($112M/comScore has it slightly lower at $110.4M) across the two-day stretch. IMAX accounted for $3.6M of that. It often happens that the day-one winner is overtaken on day two.
An adaptation of the 2014 Japanese movie 100 Yen Love, Yolo (aka You Only Live Once) centers on Le Ying (Jia), an unemployed woman in her 30s who still...
Although Maoyan’s Pegasus 2 was tops on Saturday, the first day of the holiday, ultimately it was the Jia Ling Cfg/Alibaba inspirational film Yolo that won the weekend with an estimated Rmb 804M ($112M/comScore has it slightly lower at $110.4M) across the two-day stretch. IMAX accounted for $3.6M of that. It often happens that the day-one winner is overtaken on day two.
An adaptation of the 2014 Japanese movie 100 Yen Love, Yolo (aka You Only Live Once) centers on Le Ying (Jia), an unemployed woman in her 30s who still...
- 2/11/2024
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Eight Chinese-language films release simultaneously this weekend in mainland China and will vie for a slice of the Lunar New Year holiday box office business.
The week-long nationwide holiday period has in recent years become the most lucrative season for cinemas, and key films stake out their slot in the release calendar months or years in advance.
The new Chinese films all debut on Saturday (Friday is the normal day for releases in China) and should have an unchallenged two weeks on screen. But if the new Chinese films don’t perform well, there is already a string of new Hollywood releases queuing up for screen time, starting with “Argylle” on Feb. 23.
The week-long holiday this year officially runs Feb. 10-17, but employers are encouraged to give workers time off on Friday, Feb. 9 as well, ostensibly giving city dwellers time to return to their native villages and family seats in...
The week-long nationwide holiday period has in recent years become the most lucrative season for cinemas, and key films stake out their slot in the release calendar months or years in advance.
The new Chinese films all debut on Saturday (Friday is the normal day for releases in China) and should have an unchallenged two weeks on screen. But if the new Chinese films don’t perform well, there is already a string of new Hollywood releases queuing up for screen time, starting with “Argylle” on Feb. 23.
The week-long holiday this year officially runs Feb. 10-17, but employers are encouraged to give workers time off on Friday, Feb. 9 as well, ostensibly giving city dwellers time to return to their native villages and family seats in...
- 2/7/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The former champion driver Zhang Chi (Shen Teng) became a driving school instructor in troubled times, living a life of relying on his reputation to make ends meet. Unexpectedly, the director of Laotoule Automobile Factory (Jia Bing), who is on the verge of suspending production, offers to sponsor Zhang Chi to form a team to compete in the last Bayinbrook Rally. Faced with this overwhelming wealth, Zhang Chi is ready to make a move, but no one knows the real purpose behind the factory director… Li Xiaohai (Fan Chengcheng), the driver who brought money to join the team, seems to be pure and kind, but why does he have an identity that is incompatible with his identity? Super talent? Zhang Chi summoned his old friends Sun Yuqiang (Yin Zheng) and Ji Xing (Zhang Benyu), and formed a team with the talented driver Li Xiaohai and the rookie driving school student...
- 1/31/2024
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Patriotic blockbuster “The Battle at Lake Changjin II” earned just short of $400 million over the Chinese New Year holidays at a mainland China box office that weighed in at some $950 million.
Data from consultancy Artisan Gateway showed “Lake Changjin II” earning $152 million over the Friday to Sunday weekend, comfortably ahead of comedy “Too Cool to Kill” which took $111 million over the same three days. In third place over the weekend was drama “Nice View” with $45.4 million and animation “Boonie Bears: Back to Earth” with $38.8. The Zhang Yimou- and Zhang Mo-directed “Snipers” was fifth over the weekend with $22.7 million.
Data from other sources show that the first three days of the six-day holiday period – Tuesday to Sunday – were the strongest, indicating that the cumulative scores at the end of Sunday are more important.
“Lake Changjin II” completed its first six days in Chinese theaters with $395 million, according to Artisan Gateway.
Data from consultancy Artisan Gateway showed “Lake Changjin II” earning $152 million over the Friday to Sunday weekend, comfortably ahead of comedy “Too Cool to Kill” which took $111 million over the same three days. In third place over the weekend was drama “Nice View” with $45.4 million and animation “Boonie Bears: Back to Earth” with $38.8. The Zhang Yimou- and Zhang Mo-directed “Snipers” was fifth over the weekend with $22.7 million.
Data from other sources show that the first three days of the six-day holiday period – Tuesday to Sunday – were the strongest, indicating that the cumulative scores at the end of Sunday are more important.
“Lake Changjin II” completed its first six days in Chinese theaters with $395 million, according to Artisan Gateway.
- 2/7/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Friday Update: Continuing a downward trend versus 2021, Chinese New Year box office in 2022 is off about 23% across the first four days of the important moviegoing period. However, it is above the pre-pandemic holiday in 2019 by 3%. In total thus far, movies on offer during Lunar New Year 2022 have amassed an estimated Rmb 4.37B ($687M), according to ticketing platform Maoyan, and led by The Battle At Lake Changjin II (fka Water Gate Bridge) with Rmb 1.91B ($300.2M) through Friday.
Friday’s overall haul for all films was off about 12% compared to Thursday — perhaps partly explained by the kick-off of the Winter Olympics in Beijing whose opening ceremony was televised in the evening local time. We understand there are also about 15%-20% of cinema closures throughout the market owing to Covid flare-ups.
The Battle At Lake Changjin II dipped 18% from Thursday to Friday, while the second-biggest release of the session, Too Cool To Kill,...
Friday’s overall haul for all films was off about 12% compared to Thursday — perhaps partly explained by the kick-off of the Winter Olympics in Beijing whose opening ceremony was televised in the evening local time. We understand there are also about 15%-20% of cinema closures throughout the market owing to Covid flare-ups.
The Battle At Lake Changjin II dipped 18% from Thursday to Friday, while the second-biggest release of the session, Too Cool To Kill,...
- 2/4/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Battle at Lake Changjin II” lived up to its blockbuster billing with a more than $75 million box office haul by lunchtime on Tuesday, its opening day in mainland Chinese theaters.
The film, aka “Watergate Bridge” had grossed RMB487 million ($76.5 million) by 1.30 pm, according to online ticketing agency Maoyan and Alibaba’s Beacon data service. At this pace a $100 million opening day is possible.
State media has forecast that the film may propel the Chinese New Year week to over $1 billion and that the 149-minute film could eventually become the highest-grossing film of all time in China.
To do that, it would have to surpass “The Battle at Lake Changjin” which was released on Oct. 1, 2021 and, over a prolonged run in cinemas, earned $913 million to become the second biggest film worldwide in 2021, behind “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
Despite the short interval between the two outings, there is a reasonable chance...
The film, aka “Watergate Bridge” had grossed RMB487 million ($76.5 million) by 1.30 pm, according to online ticketing agency Maoyan and Alibaba’s Beacon data service. At this pace a $100 million opening day is possible.
State media has forecast that the film may propel the Chinese New Year week to over $1 billion and that the 149-minute film could eventually become the highest-grossing film of all time in China.
To do that, it would have to surpass “The Battle at Lake Changjin” which was released on Oct. 1, 2021 and, over a prolonged run in cinemas, earned $913 million to become the second biggest film worldwide in 2021, behind “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
Despite the short interval between the two outings, there is a reasonable chance...
- 2/1/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
After being forced to sit out the annually lucrative Chinese New Year period as the Covid crisis was just beginning in 2020, Chinese box office blasted to an all-time high during the comparable 2021 session. This week, the Year of the Tiger will be ushered in with eight movies beginning February 1, and with potential new records on the horizon. Last year in the world’s biggest box office market, the week-long holiday reached Rmb 7.8B ($1.2B at historical rates).
The first full weekend of this Lunar New Year’s festivities dovetails with the beginning of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. It’s likely that Friday’s opening ceremony will be widely watched at home, but tickets to the Games are not being sold to the general public in an attempt to avoid further Covid flare-ups. Box office could still see some impact.
The first full weekend of this Lunar New Year’s festivities dovetails with the beginning of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. It’s likely that Friday’s opening ceremony will be widely watched at home, but tickets to the Games are not being sold to the general public in an attempt to avoid further Covid flare-ups. Box office could still see some impact.
- 1/31/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
China’s cinema box office trod water in the weekend ahead of the Chinese New Year holidays and an imminent surge of new release titles. These mean that the next few days could add up to the biggest week in Chinese movie history.
Over the latest weekend, though, the nationwide aggregate was a paltry $21.4 million, the lowest weekend this year, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway.
“Fireflies in the Sun,” a Wanda Pictures-backed thriller, said to be a remake of “John Q,” climbed back to first place with a $4.1 million take. It was first released in mid-December and has now built a cumulative of $174 million.
Patriotic pandemic film “Embrace Again” slipped to second place with $3.9 million, giving a running total of $148 million. Comedy, “Another Me” took $2.9 million for a $73 million cumulative since release on Jan. 1, 2022. Chinese crime thriller “G Storm” earned $2.8 million over the weekend for a total...
Over the latest weekend, though, the nationwide aggregate was a paltry $21.4 million, the lowest weekend this year, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway.
“Fireflies in the Sun,” a Wanda Pictures-backed thriller, said to be a remake of “John Q,” climbed back to first place with a $4.1 million take. It was first released in mid-December and has now built a cumulative of $174 million.
Patriotic pandemic film “Embrace Again” slipped to second place with $3.9 million, giving a running total of $148 million. Comedy, “Another Me” took $2.9 million for a $73 million cumulative since release on Jan. 1, 2022. Chinese crime thriller “G Storm” earned $2.8 million over the weekend for a total...
- 1/31/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Eight local titles come out in China on February 1
The Battle At Lake Changjin II looks set to conquer the China box office when it hits cinemas on February 1, which marks the first day of the highly lucrative Chinese New Year holiday.
At time of writing, the action sequel has clocked up more than $40m (RMB258m) in advance ticket sales for its opening day alone, according to real-time box-office data from the country’s leading online ticketing platform Maoyan.
The release of the 1950s-set patriotic war epic was only officially announced less than three weeks ago as a late...
The Battle At Lake Changjin II looks set to conquer the China box office when it hits cinemas on February 1, which marks the first day of the highly lucrative Chinese New Year holiday.
At time of writing, the action sequel has clocked up more than $40m (RMB258m) in advance ticket sales for its opening day alone, according to real-time box-office data from the country’s leading online ticketing platform Maoyan.
The release of the 1950s-set patriotic war epic was only officially announced less than three weeks ago as a late...
- 1/30/2022
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Wu Renyao (Liu Haoran) performs motorcycle stunt shows while hustling for customers at the docks. He is friends with Zhou Huansong (Liu Haocun), a restaurant waitress who dreams of big city life, and her pompous yet sincere older brother, Zhou Huange. Ah Yao has also recently reunited with his gadabout father Wu Renteng (Shen Teng), whom he has not seen for many years.
A fervently competitive motorcycle team calling themselves the “Undefeated Legends” but have never won a competition. A group of amusing and cute nobodies. Their fates are intertwined! Both Ah Yao and Huansong are determined to live differently from their parents, be there for each other and still be independent. But they are not always on the same wavelength. In an unpredictable world, they reluctantly leave their hometown and face an unknown journey. Ah Yao’s skills will be unexpectedly put to the test. What will happen to his relationships with his family,...
A fervently competitive motorcycle team calling themselves the “Undefeated Legends” but have never won a competition. A group of amusing and cute nobodies. Their fates are intertwined! Both Ah Yao and Huansong are determined to live differently from their parents, be there for each other and still be independent. But they are not always on the same wavelength. In an unpredictable world, they reluctantly leave their hometown and face an unknown journey. Ah Yao’s skills will be unexpectedly put to the test. What will happen to his relationships with his family,...
- 1/28/2022
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
“The Battle at Lake Changjin 2: Water Gate Bridge,” the sequel to China’s highest grossing film of all time, will debut on Feb. 1, the first day of the lucrative Chinese New Year holiday.
The weeklong vacation is typically China’s biggest box office period of the year and thus is subject to intense competition. This year, “Lake Changjin 2” is set to go up against 10 other hotly anticipated titles. The sequel currently ranks third in popularity based on votes from the “want to watch” metric from the Maoyan database.
Its top competitor is “Nice View,” the next feature from “Dying to Survive” director Wen Muye, which currently has the highest number of people indicating they “want to watch” the film on the Maoyan platform, with 447,000 votes.
Trailing “Nice View” in popularity is director Han Han’s “Only Fools Rush In,” with 389,000 votes. The comedy “Too Cool To Kill” from director...
The weeklong vacation is typically China’s biggest box office period of the year and thus is subject to intense competition. This year, “Lake Changjin 2” is set to go up against 10 other hotly anticipated titles. The sequel currently ranks third in popularity based on votes from the “want to watch” metric from the Maoyan database.
Its top competitor is “Nice View,” the next feature from “Dying to Survive” director Wen Muye, which currently has the highest number of people indicating they “want to watch” the film on the Maoyan platform, with 447,000 votes.
Trailing “Nice View” in popularity is director Han Han’s “Only Fools Rush In,” with 389,000 votes. The comedy “Too Cool To Kill” from director...
- 1/13/2022
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Although Chinese New Year 2021 is only two months behind us, new Chinese blockbusters have already begun plotting their takeover of the biggest moviegoing week in the world’s largest film market for 2022.
Four Chinese titles have just announced their plans to debut next Feb. 1, the first day of the 2022 lunar new year. The most high-profile new release announced Friday is former racecar driver and literary bad boy Han Han’s next film, whose Chinese name translates to “The Four Seas.” Two of the four films will star Shen Teng.
This will be the third Chinese new year release for Han, following 2017’s “Duckweed,” which grossed $152 million, and “Pegasus” in 2019, which grossed $256 million. It will star Liu Haoran, Liu Haocun, Shen Teng, Yin Zheng, Zhou Qi, Zhang Youhao, Qiao Shan, Feng Shaofeng, Wang Yanlin and Gao Huayang, and feature special appearances from Huang Xiaoming, Chen Xiaochun, Wan Ziliang and Wu Yanshu.
Four Chinese titles have just announced their plans to debut next Feb. 1, the first day of the 2022 lunar new year. The most high-profile new release announced Friday is former racecar driver and literary bad boy Han Han’s next film, whose Chinese name translates to “The Four Seas.” Two of the four films will star Shen Teng.
This will be the third Chinese new year release for Han, following 2017’s “Duckweed,” which grossed $152 million, and “Pegasus” in 2019, which grossed $256 million. It will star Liu Haoran, Liu Haocun, Shen Teng, Yin Zheng, Zhou Qi, Zhang Youhao, Qiao Shan, Feng Shaofeng, Wang Yanlin and Gao Huayang, and feature special appearances from Huang Xiaoming, Chen Xiaochun, Wan Ziliang and Wu Yanshu.
- 4/23/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Disney’s “‘Raya and the Last Dragon” is set to hit theaters in China on March 5, the same day as its release on Disney Plus in other territories.
It ranks among the first foreign titles to announce an upcoming release date since the Wednesday conclusion of the Chinese New Year holiday — the country’s top movie-going week of the year, and a period when authorities impose an official blackout on foreign imports.
China is one of the few countries where Disney currently has no plans to release its streaming platform, given that the Chinese government requires those operating within its borders to abide by draconian censorship rules.
Promo for the film in China leans on the star power of 33-year-old Zhao Liying, who will be dubbing the main character, Raya, into Chinese. Posters feature her dressed like a princess amidst fairy lights and fronds in the forest green palate distinctive to the film.
It ranks among the first foreign titles to announce an upcoming release date since the Wednesday conclusion of the Chinese New Year holiday — the country’s top movie-going week of the year, and a period when authorities impose an official blackout on foreign imports.
China is one of the few countries where Disney currently has no plans to release its streaming platform, given that the Chinese government requires those operating within its borders to abide by draconian censorship rules.
Promo for the film in China leans on the star power of 33-year-old Zhao Liying, who will be dubbing the main character, Raya, into Chinese. Posters feature her dressed like a princess amidst fairy lights and fronds in the forest green palate distinctive to the film.
- 2/20/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Director Frant Gwo has announced that the sequel to his sci-fi hit “The Wandering Earth,” China’s third highest grossing film of all time, will release over the 2023 Lunar New Year holiday, consistently the country’s biggest movie-going week of each year.
“The Wandering Earth” became a surprise hit after its 2019 Lunar New Year debut, beating competitors including Ning Hao’s “Crazy Alien” and Han Han’s “Pegasus” to top that year’s holiday box office. Produced by Beijing Culture on a budget of around $50 million, it grossed $691 million in China, but less than $6 million in North America. It was later picked up by Netflix.
“After two years of pre-production and thinking about the script, we’ve decided to initiate our shooting plan for ‘The Wandering Earth 2,’ and at the same time have set our release date for New Year’s Day 2023,” set to fall on Jan. 22, Gwo told the...
“The Wandering Earth” became a surprise hit after its 2019 Lunar New Year debut, beating competitors including Ning Hao’s “Crazy Alien” and Han Han’s “Pegasus” to top that year’s holiday box office. Produced by Beijing Culture on a budget of around $50 million, it grossed $691 million in China, but less than $6 million in North America. It was later picked up by Netflix.
“After two years of pre-production and thinking about the script, we’ve decided to initiate our shooting plan for ‘The Wandering Earth 2,’ and at the same time have set our release date for New Year’s Day 2023,” set to fall on Jan. 22, Gwo told the...
- 12/2/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Beijing Juben Productions has taken over rights to the popular “Wolf Totem” novel from China Film Group and is working on a sequel to be delivered in 2021 or Chinese New Year 2022. It also has a zombie film up its sleeve, as well as a British co-production about Shakespeare and a Chinese drama with half an eye on Cannes.
The firm, whose Mandarin name “Juben” translates to “script,” was founded by producer Luna Wang in 2013 and employs a team of ten. It focuses on artistic films with mainstream commercial potential and has mostly worked with early-career directors.
One of its first projects was 2013 comedy “American Dreams in China,” by Peter Chan Ho-sun who is this week head of the competition jury at the International Film Festival Macao.
Juben went on to back “12 Citizens,” a 2014 Chinese remake of “12 Angry Men,” and last year’s “Ayka,” which was shortlisted for the Oscars...
The firm, whose Mandarin name “Juben” translates to “script,” was founded by producer Luna Wang in 2013 and employs a team of ten. It focuses on artistic films with mainstream commercial potential and has mostly worked with early-career directors.
One of its first projects was 2013 comedy “American Dreams in China,” by Peter Chan Ho-sun who is this week head of the competition jury at the International Film Festival Macao.
Juben went on to back “12 Citizens,” a 2014 Chinese remake of “12 Angry Men,” and last year’s “Ayka,” which was shortlisted for the Oscars...
- 12/6/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
To coincide with the Liverpool-Shanghai 20th Sister Cities Anniversary Celebration, recognising the twin status between Liverpool and Shanghai, Shanghai Film Week is proud to announce its first film festival event.
Shanghai in partnership with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Hope University and the UK-China Film Collaboration Project funded by the Ahrc, is hosting a unique film week in Liverpool between 14 – 17 October. Specially curated by the Shanghai Art Film Federation, part of the Shanghai Film Distribution and Exhibition Association, audiences in Liverpool will experience four critically acclaimed Chinese-language films which represent different aspects of life in contemporary Chinese society.
Jin Hui, Secretary-General, Shanghai Film Distribution and Exhibition Association said, “I very much look forward to presenting four Shanghai produced films to the audience in Liverpool this fall. Shanghai is the birthplace of Chinese cinema, apart from our historical film and cinema culture, we have also produced many high-quality films (both commercial and arthouse) in recent years.
Shanghai in partnership with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Hope University and the UK-China Film Collaboration Project funded by the Ahrc, is hosting a unique film week in Liverpool between 14 – 17 October. Specially curated by the Shanghai Art Film Federation, part of the Shanghai Film Distribution and Exhibition Association, audiences in Liverpool will experience four critically acclaimed Chinese-language films which represent different aspects of life in contemporary Chinese society.
Jin Hui, Secretary-General, Shanghai Film Distribution and Exhibition Association said, “I very much look forward to presenting four Shanghai produced films to the audience in Liverpool this fall. Shanghai is the birthplace of Chinese cinema, apart from our historical film and cinema culture, we have also produced many high-quality films (both commercial and arthouse) in recent years.
- 10/2/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
No deal announcements. No talk of the Chinese film industry’s ongoing winter of discontent. Instead the parade of talent on stage Wednesday night at Shanghai’s Wanda Reign hotel put their troubles aside for a moment and celebrated the 20th anniversary of producer-distributor-exhibition company Bona Film Group.
At regular intervals, Bona’s founder and chairman Yu Dong called on stage close friends and strategic partners – including film-maker Huang Jianxin and EastWest Bank chairman Dominic Ng – for multiple rounds of reminiscence, and toasts to the future. Bona executives past and present Nansun Shi, Jeffrey Chan, and Nick Qi also shared the spotlight.
Talent and film makers on hand at one of the most lavish events of the Shanghai International Film Festival week, included Roland Emmerich (“Midway”), producer-director Fruit Chan (“Bride Wars”), Dante Lam (“Operation Mekong”), Andrew Lau (“The Chinese Pilot”), Raymond Wong Bak-ming, Wong Jing (“Chasing The Dragon”), Gordon Chan,...
At regular intervals, Bona’s founder and chairman Yu Dong called on stage close friends and strategic partners – including film-maker Huang Jianxin and EastWest Bank chairman Dominic Ng – for multiple rounds of reminiscence, and toasts to the future. Bona executives past and present Nansun Shi, Jeffrey Chan, and Nick Qi also shared the spotlight.
Talent and film makers on hand at one of the most lavish events of the Shanghai International Film Festival week, included Roland Emmerich (“Midway”), producer-director Fruit Chan (“Bride Wars”), Dante Lam (“Operation Mekong”), Andrew Lau (“The Chinese Pilot”), Raymond Wong Bak-ming, Wong Jing (“Chasing The Dragon”), Gordon Chan,...
- 6/19/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ is among the films in competition for the Aacta Best Asian Film Award.
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) has unveiled some of the films that will compete for a nomination for the 2019 Best Asian Film award.
The selected films were announced at a gala dinner in Shanghai, where Aacta is also hosting an China | Australia film forum and panel discussion as part of its ongoing Asia International Engagement Program.
The Best Asian Film award is designed to honour the finest films of the past year from 19 Asian regions, reflecting the popularity and importance of Asian films in Australia.
Among the Chinese-language films in competition is Australian-Chinese co-production The Whistleblower, which shot in Victoria late last year.
It will go up against the second highest-grossing film of all time in China, Frant Gwo sci-fi The Wandering Earth, as well as three of the...
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) has unveiled some of the films that will compete for a nomination for the 2019 Best Asian Film award.
The selected films were announced at a gala dinner in Shanghai, where Aacta is also hosting an China | Australia film forum and panel discussion as part of its ongoing Asia International Engagement Program.
The Best Asian Film award is designed to honour the finest films of the past year from 19 Asian regions, reflecting the popularity and importance of Asian films in Australia.
Among the Chinese-language films in competition is Australian-Chinese co-production The Whistleblower, which shot in Victoria late last year.
It will go up against the second highest-grossing film of all time in China, Frant Gwo sci-fi The Wandering Earth, as well as three of the...
- 6/17/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Despite being based on a rather common idea, “Duckweed,” by China’s most famous blogger, Han Han, managed to stand out from the majority of Chinese blockbusters due to its intelligent humor, and in the process became one of the highest grossing movies of 2017 in the country.
“Duckweed” screened at Art Film Fest Kosice
In 2022, Ah Lang is a freshly crowned rally champion, with some serious daddy issues. His frustration with his dad, Ah Zhang, who never supported his career as a race driver, instead pressuring him to become an ambulance driver, is so intense, that in the award ceremony, he has nothing but accusations and contempt for him, which he utters in front of the crowd celebrating his win. After the event, the two of them return in the racecar, but have an accident on the road, when an oncoming train crashes into the side of the car as...
“Duckweed” screened at Art Film Fest Kosice
In 2022, Ah Lang is a freshly crowned rally champion, with some serious daddy issues. His frustration with his dad, Ah Zhang, who never supported his career as a race driver, instead pressuring him to become an ambulance driver, is so intense, that in the award ceremony, he has nothing but accusations and contempt for him, which he utters in front of the crowd celebrating his win. After the event, the two of them return in the racecar, but have an accident on the road, when an oncoming train crashes into the side of the car as...
- 6/4/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Being a famous blogger, novelist, singer and film director seemed not to be enough for Han Han, who at one point, also decided to become a rally driver, and then blog and write about his experience. Then he decided to shoot a movie about rally, which brings us to “Pegasus”, his third movie, 2 years after the very good “Duckweed”.
“Pegasus” is screening at the Udine Far East Film Festival
The hero of the film is Zhang Chi, a former rally champion who was banned from racing after taking part in an illegal race and resisting arrest after the police arrived in the parking lot the event took place. Now, as his 5 year ban is about to be lifted, he finds himself cooking fried rice on his stall, since sponsors and friends, and in essence, everyone around him except his little boy, have abandoned him. Despite his difficulties though, which also...
“Pegasus” is screening at the Udine Far East Film Festival
The hero of the film is Zhang Chi, a former rally champion who was banned from racing after taking part in an illegal race and resisting arrest after the police arrived in the parking lot the event took place. Now, as his 5 year ban is about to be lifted, he finds himself cooking fried rice on his stall, since sponsors and friends, and in essence, everyone around him except his little boy, have abandoned him. Despite his difficulties though, which also...
- 4/28/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
This year’s line-up for the Far East Film Festival in Udine includes numerous surprise hits, as well as a diverse selection that mixes the best of Asian commercial cinema with accessible Asian art house.
Among the surprise hits are “A Cool Fish” and “Dying to Survive” from mainland China, and “Project Gutenberg,” the Hong Kong counterfeiting thriller which topped the Chinese box office. From Taiwan, “More Than Blue” was another title that took China’s box office crown.
The mainland Chinese selection also includes Han Han’s “Pegasus”, Zhang Wei’s transgender drama “The Rib,” and coming of age drama “The Crossing,” which premiered in Toronto.
Labelled as a Hong Kong production, Renny Harlin’s “Bodies at Rest,” and Yuen Woo-ping’s “Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy” also find festival berths.
The festival’s nine titles from Japan include comedy “Fly Me To Saitama,” Sabu’s absurdist “Jam...
Among the surprise hits are “A Cool Fish” and “Dying to Survive” from mainland China, and “Project Gutenberg,” the Hong Kong counterfeiting thriller which topped the Chinese box office. From Taiwan, “More Than Blue” was another title that took China’s box office crown.
The mainland Chinese selection also includes Han Han’s “Pegasus”, Zhang Wei’s transgender drama “The Rib,” and coming of age drama “The Crossing,” which premiered in Toronto.
Labelled as a Hong Kong production, Renny Harlin’s “Bodies at Rest,” and Yuen Woo-ping’s “Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy” also find festival berths.
The festival’s nine titles from Japan include comedy “Fly Me To Saitama,” Sabu’s absurdist “Jam...
- 4/11/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
February was the biggest month ever in a single market.
Total ticket sales have reached $1.63bn (RMB11.09bn) in February in China, confirming it as the biggest month in a single market ever.
It is also the second time China has broken such a world record following February 2018.
However, three weeks after the prime Chinese New Year season, the Chinese box office has returned to off-peak levels, with a 36% drop week-on-week between February 25 and March 3.
Fox’s cyborg action film Alita: Battle Angel was the highest-grossing film in this seven-day period, grossing $46.2m to take it to $108.4m to date.
Total ticket sales have reached $1.63bn (RMB11.09bn) in February in China, confirming it as the biggest month in a single market ever.
It is also the second time China has broken such a world record following February 2018.
However, three weeks after the prime Chinese New Year season, the Chinese box office has returned to off-peak levels, with a 36% drop week-on-week between February 25 and March 3.
Fox’s cyborg action film Alita: Battle Angel was the highest-grossing film in this seven-day period, grossing $46.2m to take it to $108.4m to date.
- 3/4/2019
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Contemporary Chinese Cinema is a column devoted to exploring contemporary Chinese-language cinema primarily as it is revealed to us at North American multiplexes.Missbehavior This Lunar New Year season, traditionally the highest-grossing period of the Chinese cinema calendar, is lacking many of the big names of years past, especially as regards the films that saw release in the Us. Where in recent years Stephen Chow, Soi Cheang, Jackie Chan, Tsui Hark and others have crafted massive box office hits both here and in China, this year Chow and Chan’s movies didn’t get North American releases, while Ning Hao’s Crazy Alien had its scheduled run severely truncated if not outright cancelled. Gobbling up screens instead was The Wandering Earth, an epic sci-fi disaster film that has been smashing box office records left and right, cruising past $300 million in grosses as I write this with no end in sight.
- 3/1/2019
- MUBI
Hollywood and Chinese sci-fi offerings went head-to-head at the Chinese box office this weekend. Newcomer “Alita: Battle Angel” smashed its way to the top with a $64 million debut — streaking past the Chinese titles that, though popular, have been in theaters since the Lunar New Year holiday at the start of the month.
Fox’s futuristic tale of an amnesiac cyborg who rediscovers her identity on the mean streets of Iron City nearly doubled the weekend tally of “The Wandering Earth,” the Chinese sci-fi blockbuster that has climbed the charts since its Feb. 5 debut to become the country’s second-highest grossing film of all time. The Chinese film took in $34.3 million this weekend towards a cumulative total of $641.2 million, according to figures from consulting firm Artisan Gateway.
“Alita” is the first foreign film to hit Chinese theaters after the heady new year period, during which authorities impose an unofficial blackout on...
Fox’s futuristic tale of an amnesiac cyborg who rediscovers her identity on the mean streets of Iron City nearly doubled the weekend tally of “The Wandering Earth,” the Chinese sci-fi blockbuster that has climbed the charts since its Feb. 5 debut to become the country’s second-highest grossing film of all time. The Chinese film took in $34.3 million this weekend towards a cumulative total of $641.2 million, according to figures from consulting firm Artisan Gateway.
“Alita” is the first foreign film to hit Chinese theaters after the heady new year period, during which authorities impose an unofficial blackout on...
- 2/25/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Being a famous blogger, novelist, singer and film director seemed not to be enough for Han Han, who at one point, also decided to become a rally driver, and then blog and write about his experience. Then he decided to shoot a movie about rally, which brings us to “Pegasus”, his third movie, 2 years after the very good “Duckweed”.
Pegasus is screening in the UK, courtesy of Cine Asia
The hero of the film is Zhang Chi, a former rally champion who was banned from racing after taking part in an illegal race and resisting arrest after the police arrived in the parking lot the event took place. Now, as his 5 year ban is about to be lifted, he finds himself cooking fried rice on his stall, since sponsors and friends, and in essence, everyone around him except his little boy, have abandoned him. Despite his difficulties though, which also...
Pegasus is screening in the UK, courtesy of Cine Asia
The hero of the film is Zhang Chi, a former rally champion who was banned from racing after taking part in an illegal race and resisting arrest after the police arrived in the parking lot the event took place. Now, as his 5 year ban is about to be lifted, he finds himself cooking fried rice on his stall, since sponsors and friends, and in essence, everyone around him except his little boy, have abandoned him. Despite his difficulties though, which also...
- 2/20/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The winning films during China’s Lunar New Year holiday period remained on top of the local box office in their second normal weekend of release. Locally made sci-fi film “The Wandering Earth” pushed its total to $557 million.
“Wandering Earth” earned $88.8 million between Friday and Monday, according to data from Asian film industry consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was more than half of the $160 million of the entire market.
“Wandering Earth” surpassed “Avengers: Infinity War” on Saturday to become the highest-grossing Imax release ever in China. After adding $7.2 million from 603 Imax screens over the four-day weekend, the Imax cumulative for the film now stands at $43.7 million in China, and $44.7 million globally.
“Crazy Alien” was unchanged in second place. It earned $25.8 million over the weekend, and advanced its 13-day cumulative to $292 million.
Han Han’s “Pegasus” was similarly unchanged in third place. It earned $23.6 million, for a cumulative of $219 million.
“Boonie Bears:...
“Wandering Earth” earned $88.8 million between Friday and Monday, according to data from Asian film industry consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was more than half of the $160 million of the entire market.
“Wandering Earth” surpassed “Avengers: Infinity War” on Saturday to become the highest-grossing Imax release ever in China. After adding $7.2 million from 603 Imax screens over the four-day weekend, the Imax cumulative for the film now stands at $43.7 million in China, and $44.7 million globally.
“Crazy Alien” was unchanged in second place. It earned $25.8 million over the weekend, and advanced its 13-day cumulative to $292 million.
Han Han’s “Pegasus” was similarly unchanged in third place. It earned $23.6 million, for a cumulative of $219 million.
“Boonie Bears:...
- 2/18/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Frant Gwo’s big-budget sci-fi has dominated Chinese New Year period.
After the end of the prime Chinese New Year holidays, the Chinese box office began to cool down with a 45% week-on-week contraction in the week of Feb 11-17. But the good news is the ticket sales in February are set to top the figures in the same month last year, which held the world record for the biggest single month in a single market.
While the Chinese New Year titles still dominated the box office with the top three positions remained unchanged from the week before, the new releases...
After the end of the prime Chinese New Year holidays, the Chinese box office began to cool down with a 45% week-on-week contraction in the week of Feb 11-17. But the good news is the ticket sales in February are set to top the figures in the same month last year, which held the world record for the biggest single month in a single market.
While the Chinese New Year titles still dominated the box office with the top three positions remained unchanged from the week before, the new releases...
- 2/18/2019
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Box office figures for China’s competitive Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) period reached a record high this year, despite rampant piracy that likely incurred losses of an estimated RMB1 billion ($147.9 million), Chinese reports said. But the record gross came on the strength of higher movie ticket prices, not from more viewers hitting the theaters.
“The Spring Festival period is the prelude to the rest of the year, and so this [performance] indicates that the Chinese film market in 2019 will be full of uncertainty,” commentators on the WeChat account Entertainment Capital said.
The total box office intake for the Feb. 4-10 lunar new year period reached RMB5.83 billion ($860 million), an increase of 1.4% year-on-year, according to data from online ticketing platform Maoyan. But the number of actual cinema visits was down 10.3% year-on-year to 130 million.
Rising ticket prices were a key factor contributing to the decrease in cinema-going. Tickets for lunar new year...
“The Spring Festival period is the prelude to the rest of the year, and so this [performance] indicates that the Chinese film market in 2019 will be full of uncertainty,” commentators on the WeChat account Entertainment Capital said.
The total box office intake for the Feb. 4-10 lunar new year period reached RMB5.83 billion ($860 million), an increase of 1.4% year-on-year, according to data from online ticketing platform Maoyan. But the number of actual cinema visits was down 10.3% year-on-year to 130 million.
Rising ticket prices were a key factor contributing to the decrease in cinema-going. Tickets for lunar new year...
- 2/13/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
’How To Train Your Dragon 3’ moves to second place.
Today’s Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.29
RankFilm (Distributor)Three-day gross (Feb 1-3) Total gross to date Week 1 The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (Warner Bros) £4m £4m 1 2 How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (Universal) £2.7m £9.1m 2 3 Alita: Battle Angel (20th Century Fox) £2.4m £3.2m 1 4 Green Book (eOne) £1m £3.6m 2 5 Glass (Disney) £560,579 £9.6m 4 Warner Bros
Animated sequel The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part opened top of the UK box office, with a £4m three-day weekend.
It played in 572 locations to garner a site average of £6,995.
These figures...
Today’s Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.29
RankFilm (Distributor)Three-day gross (Feb 1-3) Total gross to date Week 1 The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (Warner Bros) £4m £4m 1 2 How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (Universal) £2.7m £9.1m 2 3 Alita: Battle Angel (20th Century Fox) £2.4m £3.2m 1 4 Green Book (eOne) £1m £3.6m 2 5 Glass (Disney) £560,579 £9.6m 4 Warner Bros
Animated sequel The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part opened top of the UK box office, with a £4m three-day weekend.
It played in 572 locations to garner a site average of £6,995.
These figures...
- 2/11/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The Chinese box office racked up a total of $858.7m ticket sales over Feb 4-10.
Led by The Wandering Earth, Crazy Alien and Pegasus, the Chinese box office racked up a total of $858.7m ticket sales over Feb 4-10, spanning from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the first six days of the lunar new year.
During this prime period, the Chinese box office delivered mixed results. Feb 5, the first day of the week-long holidays, scored a new global record for the biggest single day performance in a single market when it took in $211.9m, beating last year’s world record by 12.7%.
Nevertheless,...
Led by The Wandering Earth, Crazy Alien and Pegasus, the Chinese box office racked up a total of $858.7m ticket sales over Feb 4-10, spanning from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the first six days of the lunar new year.
During this prime period, the Chinese box office delivered mixed results. Feb 5, the first day of the week-long holidays, scored a new global record for the biggest single day performance in a single market when it took in $211.9m, beating last year’s world record by 12.7%.
Nevertheless,...
- 2/11/2019
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World top Hollywood film of weekend session.
Chinese titles were in typically robust form over the Chinese New Year holiday as The Wandering Earth earned $172.7m and Crazy Alien delivered $77.7m to obliterate the Hollywood competition at the global and international box office.
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World was the top Hollywood film of the session, while Bohemian Rhapsody became the first Fox release since Avatar to cross $100m in Japan, and Ralph Breaks The Internet is a week or so away from crossing $500m worldwide.
China Update
Frant Gwo...
Chinese titles were in typically robust form over the Chinese New Year holiday as The Wandering Earth earned $172.7m and Crazy Alien delivered $77.7m to obliterate the Hollywood competition at the global and international box office.
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World was the top Hollywood film of the session, while Bohemian Rhapsody became the first Fox release since Avatar to cross $100m in Japan, and Ralph Breaks The Internet is a week or so away from crossing $500m worldwide.
China Update
Frant Gwo...
- 2/11/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
China’s first large-scale sci-fi film, “Wandering Earth” came to dominate the box office over the Chinese New Year holidays – though it started from behind.
Over the full six days of the holiday, the picture earned $304 million. Some $187 million of that came over the Friday-Sunday period, making “Wandering Earth” far and away the top scoring film worldwide over the weekend.
In comparison, “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” earned $38.2 million in six international territories. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” topped the North American charts with $34.4 million.
Eight locally-made films opened in Middle Kingdom cinemas on Tuesday (Feb. 5), the first day of Chinese New Year. The initial leader was Ning Hao-directed comedy “Crazy Alien” with $60 million according to data from tracking service, China Box Office. “Wandering Earth” placed only fourth with $27.8 million behind “Pegasus” and “New King of Comedy.”
The following day, “Crazy Alien” kept the lead,...
Over the full six days of the holiday, the picture earned $304 million. Some $187 million of that came over the Friday-Sunday period, making “Wandering Earth” far and away the top scoring film worldwide over the weekend.
In comparison, “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” earned $38.2 million in six international territories. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” topped the North American charts with $34.4 million.
Eight locally-made films opened in Middle Kingdom cinemas on Tuesday (Feb. 5), the first day of Chinese New Year. The initial leader was Ning Hao-directed comedy “Crazy Alien” with $60 million according to data from tracking service, China Box Office. “Wandering Earth” placed only fourth with $27.8 million behind “Pegasus” and “New King of Comedy.”
The following day, “Crazy Alien” kept the lead,...
- 2/10/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The latest film by China’s onetime voice of a generation is an entertaining romp about a disgraced racing champ trying to get back in gear
This likable, unchallenging Chinese sports movie, about a has-been rally driver out to prove he’s still got what it takes after a lengthy ban, is the third film directed by Han Han, the superstar blogger/novelist/rally driver/film-maker once hailed as the voice of a generation of Chinese millennials. In real life, Han Han famously flipped his middle finger at officials on the racetrack. But he must be mellowing – because with this comeback story he keeps his eye firmly on the mainstream, steering steady-as-you-go down the middle of the road.
Comedy actor Shen Teng plays Zhang Chi, an arrogant five-times champ slapped with a five-year ban after a spot of after-hours racing in a multi-storey car park. The film opens with Zhang...
This likable, unchallenging Chinese sports movie, about a has-been rally driver out to prove he’s still got what it takes after a lengthy ban, is the third film directed by Han Han, the superstar blogger/novelist/rally driver/film-maker once hailed as the voice of a generation of Chinese millennials. In real life, Han Han famously flipped his middle finger at officials on the racetrack. But he must be mellowing – because with this comeback story he keeps his eye firmly on the mainstream, steering steady-as-you-go down the middle of the road.
Comedy actor Shen Teng plays Zhang Chi, an arrogant five-times champ slapped with a five-year ban after a spot of after-hours racing in a multi-storey car park. The film opens with Zhang...
- 2/7/2019
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
Giant screen company, IMAX looks set be one of the biggest winners of the peak box office season in China that comes with the Lunar New Year holidays.
It broke company records on Tuesday, the first day of Chinese New Year, with $6.67 million (RMB45 million). That is 12.5% higher than IMAX’s previous high, at Chinese New Year 2019.
For the second year in a row, the company has programmed its 604 Middle Kingdom venues with three local films. In its earlier years in China, the company had favored Hollywood titles over local films. And, among local films, it had sought to pick one or two winners.
“The Wandering Earth” led the pack on the first day with an estimated $3.26 million (RMB22 million). IMAX screens accounted for 12% of the film’s total estimated gross. In addition, “Crazy Alien” generated an estimated $2.67 million (RMB18 million) on IMAX screens, and “Pegasus” grossed an estimated $741,000 (RMB5 million) in IMAX theaters.
It broke company records on Tuesday, the first day of Chinese New Year, with $6.67 million (RMB45 million). That is 12.5% higher than IMAX’s previous high, at Chinese New Year 2019.
For the second year in a row, the company has programmed its 604 Middle Kingdom venues with three local films. In its earlier years in China, the company had favored Hollywood titles over local films. And, among local films, it had sought to pick one or two winners.
“The Wandering Earth” led the pack on the first day with an estimated $3.26 million (RMB22 million). IMAX screens accounted for 12% of the film’s total estimated gross. In addition, “Crazy Alien” generated an estimated $2.67 million (RMB18 million) on IMAX screens, and “Pegasus” grossed an estimated $741,000 (RMB5 million) in IMAX theaters.
- 2/6/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
“Crazy Alien,” a comedy caper by hit-making director Ning Hao, led the box office in China on the first day of the Chinese New Year holiday period. By 7 p.m. on Tuesday, the film had earned $55 million in mainland Chinese cinemas.
The top eight movies earned a combined $200 million (RMB1.35 billion) by 7:30 p.m., according to data from China Box Office.
“Crazy Alien,” in which two brothers hope to make a fortune from an alien who lands in their lap, is the third film in Ning’s “Crazy” franchise. It follows 2009 black comedy “Crazy Stone” and 2006 title “Crazy Racer.” Once again it stars Xu Zheng and Huang Bo.
The early score, and a 28% market share, is a solid start for the film, which is backed by Huanxi Media, the stock market listed vehicle in which Ning and Xu are major owners. The company announced last year that distributors had...
The top eight movies earned a combined $200 million (RMB1.35 billion) by 7:30 p.m., according to data from China Box Office.
“Crazy Alien,” in which two brothers hope to make a fortune from an alien who lands in their lap, is the third film in Ning’s “Crazy” franchise. It follows 2009 black comedy “Crazy Stone” and 2006 title “Crazy Racer.” Once again it stars Xu Zheng and Huang Bo.
The early score, and a 28% market share, is a solid start for the film, which is backed by Huanxi Media, the stock market listed vehicle in which Ning and Xu are major owners. The company announced last year that distributors had...
- 2/5/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
This week, China rings in the New Year, and as annual tradition has it, multiplexes will be stuffed with new local titles vying for big business during the lucrative holiday period. Of the more than 10 pictures releasing Tuesday, among the most anticipated are epic The Wandering Earth, which could be the breakout that ignites the homegrown sci-fi business; racing-themed comedy Pegasus from multi-talent Han Han; and Peppa Pig Celebrates Chinese New Year, based on the hugely popular kids character.
Check out The Wandering Earth‘s trailer above, and the others’ and more, below.
The Wandering Earth and Pegasus were the only films that held press screenings in the Middle Kingdom, and only the former had sneaks tonight, before tomorrow’s holiday begins in earnest. It grossed an estimated Rmb 14M ($2.08M), setting a new record for Chinese movies. But this is a wait-and-see game: With so much choice, alongside family commitments,...
Check out The Wandering Earth‘s trailer above, and the others’ and more, below.
The Wandering Earth and Pegasus were the only films that held press screenings in the Middle Kingdom, and only the former had sneaks tonight, before tomorrow’s holiday begins in earnest. It grossed an estimated Rmb 14M ($2.08M), setting a new record for Chinese movies. But this is a wait-and-see game: With so much choice, alongside family commitments,...
- 2/4/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Week-long holidays commence on February 5.
The Chinese New Year battle is set to officially begin tomorrow, but the ticket presales kicked off a couple of weeks ago, with eight major titles vying for a share of the most lucrative period of the year.
The presales for Feb 5, the first day of the week-long Chinese New Year holidays, have reached $84m, almost half of the record-breaking total of the same period last year.
Tracking at No.1 was Crazy Alien on $23m, a comedy starring Huang Bo and Shen Teng about two brothers who hope to make a fortune from the unexpected arrival of an alien visitor.
The Chinese New Year battle is set to officially begin tomorrow, but the ticket presales kicked off a couple of weeks ago, with eight major titles vying for a share of the most lucrative period of the year.
The presales for Feb 5, the first day of the week-long Chinese New Year holidays, have reached $84m, almost half of the record-breaking total of the same period last year.
Tracking at No.1 was Crazy Alien on $23m, a comedy starring Huang Bo and Shen Teng about two brothers who hope to make a fortune from the unexpected arrival of an alien visitor.
- 2/4/2019
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Alibaba Pictures Group, the film business arm of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, has struck a strategic cooperation deal with leading film studio Huayi Bros. The deal includes a $103 million (RMB700 million) loan to Huayi.
Alibaba Pictures said the agreement was part of its recently announced strategy to be involved in major movies aimed for release during China’s four yearly holiday periods: Chinese New Year (around January-February), the summer, National Day celebrations in October, and end of the year. The strategy, dubbed the Jin Cheng Co-Production Project, runs for five years. (“Jin Cheng” translates roughly into English as “Golden Orange.”)
The deal further expands the power and influence of deep-pocketed Internet platforms, such as Alibaba and Tencent, over the Chinese film industry. Alibaba and companies owned by founder Jack Ma have been significant minority shareholders in Huayi since 2014, and increased their positions again in 2015.
The new deal with Huayi runs...
Alibaba Pictures said the agreement was part of its recently announced strategy to be involved in major movies aimed for release during China’s four yearly holiday periods: Chinese New Year (around January-February), the summer, National Day celebrations in October, and end of the year. The strategy, dubbed the Jin Cheng Co-Production Project, runs for five years. (“Jin Cheng” translates roughly into English as “Golden Orange.”)
The deal further expands the power and influence of deep-pocketed Internet platforms, such as Alibaba and Tencent, over the Chinese film industry. Alibaba and companies owned by founder Jack Ma have been significant minority shareholders in Huayi since 2014, and increased their positions again in 2015.
The new deal with Huayi runs...
- 1/24/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Alibaba Pictures confirmed that it has invested an undisclosed amount in Chinese celebrity blogger-turned-film director Han Han’s Shanghai Tingdong Film. Han’s upcoming “Pegasus” is one of the most anticipated films of the year in China.
Alibaba Pictures, part of e-commerce giant Alibaba, is now the second-largest stakeholder in Tingdong. It has a 13.1% stake, according to Chinese finance publication Caixin.
The deal is a “long-term strategic partnership that covers content production, distribution and marketing, merchandise and artist management,” Alibaba told Variety on Thursday. It falls under the umbrella of a new initiative launched in November called the “Jin Cheng Co-Production Plan” — with “jin cheng” roughly translating in English to “golden orange.”
Under this plan, Alibaba intends to co-produce 20 films over the next five years with various top production teams. The films will be released during China’s four busiest movie-going times: Chinese New Year (around January-February), the summer, the...
Alibaba Pictures, part of e-commerce giant Alibaba, is now the second-largest stakeholder in Tingdong. It has a 13.1% stake, according to Chinese finance publication Caixin.
The deal is a “long-term strategic partnership that covers content production, distribution and marketing, merchandise and artist management,” Alibaba told Variety on Thursday. It falls under the umbrella of a new initiative launched in November called the “Jin Cheng Co-Production Plan” — with “jin cheng” roughly translating in English to “golden orange.”
Under this plan, Alibaba intends to co-produce 20 films over the next five years with various top production teams. The films will be released during China’s four busiest movie-going times: Chinese New Year (around January-February), the summer, the...
- 1/18/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount’s “Transformers” spinoff “Bumblebee” far outstripped local competitors at China’s weekend box office to bring in $25.8 million, according to figures from consulting firm Artisan Gateway. Yet despite strong praise from audiences about the film’s more character-focused storytelling and the cuteness of its eponymous Autobot, the new origin story has still underperformed compared to the previous franchise titles directed by Michael Bay.
Imax screenings accounted for $2.5 million of “Bumblebee’s” three-day haul, bumping the film’s total Imax revenue in China up to $10 million. As of Sunday night, the Hailee Steinfeld-starring tale has grossed a cumulative $107 million in China after 10 days in theaters.
The figures make it appear unlikely that the Travis Knight-directed picture will outstrip the latest “Transformers” installments. “The Last Knight” brought in $229 million in China in 2017, while “Transformers: The Age of Extinction” grossed an even larger sum at a time when the country had fewer screens and multiplexes,...
Imax screenings accounted for $2.5 million of “Bumblebee’s” three-day haul, bumping the film’s total Imax revenue in China up to $10 million. As of Sunday night, the Hailee Steinfeld-starring tale has grossed a cumulative $107 million in China after 10 days in theaters.
The figures make it appear unlikely that the Travis Knight-directed picture will outstrip the latest “Transformers” installments. “The Last Knight” brought in $229 million in China in 2017, while “Transformers: The Age of Extinction” grossed an even larger sum at a time when the country had fewer screens and multiplexes,...
- 1/14/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Local productions grossed $5.5bn (RMB37.9bn) for a 62.2% market share.
China’s box office reached $8.86bn (RMB60.98bn) in 2018, an increase of 9% compared to the RMB55.91bn taken the previous year, according to figures released today by the National Film Bureau.
Admissions increased by 6% to 1.72 billion over the course of the year, while the total number of screens grew by 9,033 to reach 60,079.
Local productions grossed $5.5bn (RMB37.88bn) for a 62.15% market share, an increase of 8.3% on the previous year. Among these, nine films grossed more than the $145m (RMB1bn) benchmark, while a further 20 titles took more than $73m (RMB...
China’s box office reached $8.86bn (RMB60.98bn) in 2018, an increase of 9% compared to the RMB55.91bn taken the previous year, according to figures released today by the National Film Bureau.
Admissions increased by 6% to 1.72 billion over the course of the year, while the total number of screens grew by 9,033 to reach 60,079.
Local productions grossed $5.5bn (RMB37.88bn) for a 62.15% market share, an increase of 8.3% on the previous year. Among these, nine films grossed more than the $145m (RMB1bn) benchmark, while a further 20 titles took more than $73m (RMB...
- 1/1/2019
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Local productions grossed $5.5bn (RMB37.88bn) for a 62.15% market share.
China’s box office reached $8.86bn (RMB60.98bn) in 2018, an increase of 9% compared to the RMB55.91bn taken the previous year, according to figures released today by the National Film Bureau.
Admissions increased by 6% to 1.72 billion over the course of the year, while the total number of screens grew by 9,033 to reach 60,079.
Local productions grossed $5.5bn (RMB37.88bn) for a 62.15% market share, an increase of 8.3% on the previous year. Among these, nine films grossed more than the $145m (RMB1bn) benchmark, while a further 20 titles took more than $73m (RMB...
China’s box office reached $8.86bn (RMB60.98bn) in 2018, an increase of 9% compared to the RMB55.91bn taken the previous year, according to figures released today by the National Film Bureau.
Admissions increased by 6% to 1.72 billion over the course of the year, while the total number of screens grew by 9,033 to reach 60,079.
Local productions grossed $5.5bn (RMB37.88bn) for a 62.15% market share, an increase of 8.3% on the previous year. Among these, nine films grossed more than the $145m (RMB1bn) benchmark, while a further 20 titles took more than $73m (RMB...
- 1/1/2019
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Despite being based on a rather common idea, “Duckweed,” by China’s most famous blogger, Han Han, managed to stand out from the majority of Chinese blockbusters due to its intelligent humor, and in the process became one of the highest grossing movies of 2017 in the country.
Duckweed is screening at the 9th International Chinese Film Festival, that will be on 23 February to 28, 2018.
In 2022, Ah Lang is a freshly crowned rally champion, with some serious daddy issues. His frustration with his dad, Ah Zhang, who never supported his career as a race driver, instead pressuring him to become an ambulance driver, is so intense, that in the award ceremony, he has nothing but accusations and contempt for him, which he utters in front of the crowd celebrating his win. After the event, the two of them return in the racecar, but have an accident on the road, when an oncoming...
Duckweed is screening at the 9th International Chinese Film Festival, that will be on 23 February to 28, 2018.
In 2022, Ah Lang is a freshly crowned rally champion, with some serious daddy issues. His frustration with his dad, Ah Zhang, who never supported his career as a race driver, instead pressuring him to become an ambulance driver, is so intense, that in the award ceremony, he has nothing but accusations and contempt for him, which he utters in front of the crowd celebrating his win. After the event, the two of them return in the racecar, but have an accident on the road, when an oncoming...
- 2/24/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Contemporary Chinese Cinema is a column devoted to exploring contemporary Chinese-language cinema primarily as it is revealed to us at North American multiplexes.Over the last few years it has become increasingly easy to see mainstream Asian films in North America at the same time they are released in their home countries. Thanks to partnerships with small, international distributors, the major multiplex chains (AMC, Cinemark, Regal) have devoted a handful of screens in major markets to showing new releases from India, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Most of these titles fall under the radar of both critics and audiences outside the diasporic communities to which they are targeted. They play for a week or two and then disappear, outside of a handful of breakout titles. Last year Stephen Chow’s The Mermaid made headlines for its high per-screen averages in North America as it shattered domestic box office records in China.
- 12/4/2017
- MUBI
As previously announced, Thailand’s Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying will receive Screen International Rising Star Award.
The Film Society of Lincoln Center and Subway Cinema announced on Monday the updated roster of honourees at the upcoming 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff).
China’s Duan Yihong and South Korea’s Gang Dong-won will receive the Star Asia Award, South Korea’s Jung Byung-gil will collect the Daniel E. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema, and Eric Tsang will receive the Star Hong Kong Lifetime Achievement Award.
As previously announced, Thailand’s Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying will receive the Screen International Rising Star Award and stars in opening night selection Bad Genius.
Duan Yihong will receive his Star Asia Award on July 1 in recognition of his entire body of work and will be presented before screenings of Extraordinary Mission and Battle Of Memories.
This is the first time a Star Asia Award has been presented to an actor...
The Film Society of Lincoln Center and Subway Cinema announced on Monday the updated roster of honourees at the upcoming 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff).
China’s Duan Yihong and South Korea’s Gang Dong-won will receive the Star Asia Award, South Korea’s Jung Byung-gil will collect the Daniel E. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema, and Eric Tsang will receive the Star Hong Kong Lifetime Achievement Award.
As previously announced, Thailand’s Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying will receive the Screen International Rising Star Award and stars in opening night selection Bad Genius.
Duan Yihong will receive his Star Asia Award on July 1 in recognition of his entire body of work and will be presented before screenings of Extraordinary Mission and Battle Of Memories.
This is the first time a Star Asia Award has been presented to an actor...
- 6/19/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Wild Bunch to handle sales on ‘Kaili Blues’ director’s second feature
Chinese director Bi Gan has attracted a top-flight cast for his second feature, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, including Tang Wei (Lust, Caution), Sylvia Chang (Mountains May Depart) and Huang Jue (The Final Master).
In addition, Wild Bunch has come on board to handle international sales on the detective drama, which also stars Taiwanese actor Lee Hong-chi (Thanatos, Drunk) and reunites the director with Chen Yongzhong, the lead actor of his award-winning debut, Kaili Blues.
Shanghai-based Dangmai Films, established by Bi and producer Shan Zuolong, is producing with Huace Group and Han Han’s Pmf Pictures, while Charles Gillibert’s Paris-based CG Cinema will co-produce. Wild Bunch, which will commence sales on the film in Cannes next week, is handling all territories outside China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The story follows a man who returns to his hometown to find a mysterious...
Chinese director Bi Gan has attracted a top-flight cast for his second feature, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, including Tang Wei (Lust, Caution), Sylvia Chang (Mountains May Depart) and Huang Jue (The Final Master).
In addition, Wild Bunch has come on board to handle international sales on the detective drama, which also stars Taiwanese actor Lee Hong-chi (Thanatos, Drunk) and reunites the director with Chen Yongzhong, the lead actor of his award-winning debut, Kaili Blues.
Shanghai-based Dangmai Films, established by Bi and producer Shan Zuolong, is producing with Huace Group and Han Han’s Pmf Pictures, while Charles Gillibert’s Paris-based CG Cinema will co-produce. Wild Bunch, which will commence sales on the film in Cannes next week, is handling all territories outside China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The story follows a man who returns to his hometown to find a mysterious...
- 5/12/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
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