A new script for Chinese cinema
Industry experts believe magic of moviegoing is here to stay despite rise of streaming, micro dramas, and evolving audience habits, Xu Fan reports.
Song Yiyi, producer and animator at Light Chaser Animation Studios, highlights the importance of subtitles and dubbing in distributing films overseas. The studio's third feature-length animated film, Cats and Peachtopia, which follows a little cat's adventure, was dubbed in English, Russian, French, Polish and Spanish, and released in 90 countries and regions, grossing $13 million at the overseas box offices. Green Snake, the company's sixth film, was streamed on Netflix in 10 languages in 2021 and became the platform's third most-watched film in its debut week.
Meanwhile, the synergy between cinema and tourism continues to grow. Chen Kaifang, chairman of Guiyang Cross Border Cinema, one of China's highest-grossing theaters, has turned his venue into a cultural destination. A recent 3,000-square-meter expansion introduced a food court showcasing local intangible heritage cuisine and an immersive extended-reality hall.
Reflecting on the industry's growth, Chen says, "Over the past decade, I've seen Chinese cinema grow from a sluggish period to one of renewed confidence. I feel fortunate to pursue a career I'm passionate about, and I firmly believe the future of Chinese cinema will be even brighter."
