Chinese Flavor in Global Cinema

[Randy W]

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From the April China Pictorial magazine, nothing really revealing, but may be an interesting read for you

 

Chinese Flavor in Global Cinema

 

 

http://www.chinapictorial.com.cn/en/features/images/attachement/jpg/site133/20130403/00247e701cc912c5e1de30.JPG

In recent years, increasing numbers of Hollywood films have attempted more Chinese approaches. Chinese tales and legends have become popular sources for writers. From Disney’s Mulan to DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda, Hollywood’s understanding of China has been deepening. While Chinese audiences’ opinion of Disney’s interpretation of Mulan may have been more reserved, spectators were overwhelmingly pleased with the profound cultural understanding of Kung Fu Panda’s production team. For example, in the movie, giant panda Po is taught to find inner peace through a drop of water, showcasing the Chinese philosophy of merging a drop of water into sea. The smallest of details such as this evidence Hollywood’s renewed efforts to appeal to China on a spiritual level. In terms of Kung Fu Panda, Chinese kung fu, the giant panda, and Confucian culture were fused eloquently with typical American ideals such as “an ordinary person can also be a hero.” It was easy to understand how the first Kung Fu Panda scored US$29 million at the Chinese mainland box office, followed by $96 million for Kung Fu Panda 2, which even exceeded the film’s American earnings.

 

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Due to China’s fast-developing economy, comparatively low shooting costs, and unique exotic flavor in the eyes of Westerners, many international films have been venturing to China for location shoots in recent years. . . .

Hollywood has gradually realized in recent years that the North American market doesn’t offer much room for expansion anymore, so sights are set on box office revenue from overseas markets. . . .

At the same time, China has also begun investing more in international films, a more direct path for Chinese elements to be injected into international blockbusters. Chinese enterprises were major players in producing The Expendables 2, Looper, and Iron Man 3 which is scheduled for release in May of this year. Bi Chenggong, a renowned film critic, asserts that movies featuring participation by Chinese enterprises maintain a natural advantage in terms of box office revenue in the country. He boldly predicted that Chinese box office revenue for Iron Man 3 would double the earnings of Iron Man and Iron Man 2. “Box office revenue in China is partially linked to nationalism,” opines Bi. “Investment by Chinese enterprises alone is enough to arouse spectators’ interest.”

 

Edited May 4, 2013 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

More from the same issue

 

Enter the Dragon

China's Growing Influence on Global Cinema

 

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Li Bingbing: A Taste of Hollywood

 

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The Tao of Lee

 

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The Outsider

 

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