Chinese films seek elusive overseas success
Although Chinese cinema is a booming industry, adjustments are needed based on successful examples.
Tu Biao, co-founder of film industry think tank Movie Ticket, said: "Money is important, but it's sometimes an issue when capital is poured into this industry. China's film industry is still not developed enough to support as many blockbusters as Hollywood, and investment can result in conflict."Tu suggested building up a management system-centered on producers, who can manage projects in a more comprehensive way, rather than the current model, which is dominated by directors.
In March, China implemented its new Film Industry Law, which aims to promote a healthy environment for the development of Chinese cinema. However, Zhang Jizhi, a film-industry lawyer, said it will take time to put policies into practice.
"A relatively high threshold for domestic capital to go abroad is still a common problem faced by Chinese filmmakers when doing international projects," Zhang explained. "That's why the law asks the country's foreign currency administrators to support such cases."
He said it helps Chinese cinema to learn more about international regulations as it becomes exposed to more cross-border projects.
"We need effective polices and talented filmmakers with a spirit of craftsmanship. However, we also need good businessmen in the industry and good agencies," Zhang said.
"All possible measures should be taken to ensure the most professional filmmakers are doing what they are good at," he said. "Once filmmakers get distracted by marketing and other issues, which they don't know enough about, the quality of their films is affected."
(China Daily 06/05/2017 page5)
