Not long ago, just going to the movies was a luxury for the average Chinese. But now, Chinese people aren’t just watching movies, they’re making them, too. Chinese actors, directors, producers, and even movie theater companies are making a splash on the world scene.
Films in China used to serve a more educational purpose than an entertainment one. But now its role has shifted and it’s an integral part of modern Chinese life.
In 2011, China surpassed India as the third largest film market in the world, with 2 billion US dollars in annual box office revenue. Only nine months into 2012, China has already matched this amount. Analysts expect China to reach 2.5 billion US dollars and overtake Japan as the second largest film market by the end of this year.
But cultural influence is not just measured in numbers, it’s also reflected in the global impact of Chinese movies. Renowned director Zhang Yimou teamed up with international movie star Christian Bale in the making of "The Flowers of War," which became the top-grossing Chinese film in 2011.
Christian Bale, actor, said, "This was for me very intriguing. I’m going to."
"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" was another joint Chinese-foreign production released in 2011. The lead actress, Li Bingbing, received praise for her performance. And she’s voluntarily taken up the role of promoting understanding between China and other countries.
Li Bingbing, actress, said, "As a Chinese actress, be the bridge between US and China, show Chinese culture to the world."
And it’s not only actors and actresses, Chinese directors are also gaining attention on the international stage. Chinese director Lu Chuan appeared at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival earlier this year to promote his work, "The Last Supper".
Lu Chuan, director, said, "This is quite a new and fresh film festival, here’s no Chinese film to represent China, that’s why I’m here. It’s my responsibility."
The rising popularity of Chinese actors and directors, coupled with its staggering box office growth, is propelling the China’s influence well beyond its borders.
Dalian Wanda grabbed headlines in May 2012 when it announced it had signed a 2.6 billion dollar agreement to merge with AMC Entertainment, the world’s second-largest cinema chain. Their merger will create the largest movie theater company in the world.
Many understand film assets such as theaters as the hardware and film talent as software. Only when both develop together can there be healthy overall growth. In that case, China seems to be heading for a Hollywood ending.