The world works on capitalism in today’s day and age. To get paid for what one works on is only fair. Actors are no exception to this rule, regardless of whether it is The Untouchables’ Robert De Niro or Kevin Costner. Actors take on big roles and get paid heftily for the same. To put in the work and then getting paid for it, or as the world now knows it to be equivalent exchange.
Robert De Niro in The Untouchables | Credit: Paramount Pictures
What may be rare to hear, however, is for someone to get paid for not doing something. When a big project comes into play, many actors get eager to take the role, while at the same time, others may not see things in the same direction. Such was the case with Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables.
Robert De Niro was Always Brian De Palma...
Robert De Niro in The Untouchables | Credit: Paramount Pictures
What may be rare to hear, however, is for someone to get paid for not doing something. When a big project comes into play, many actors get eager to take the role, while at the same time, others may not see things in the same direction. Such was the case with Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables.
Robert De Niro was Always Brian De Palma...
- 5/13/2024
- by Adya Godboley
- FandomWire
Macho sports-movie tropes meet with bright chick-flick framing to curious effect in “Yolo,” either an ostensible boxing drama that doesn’t pick up the gloves until the third act, or a misfit romcom that takes a late and unusual turn toward transformational self-help territory. Chinese audiences have been delighted by either formulation, as Jia Ling’s second feature as director-star — following 2021’s popular time-travel comedy “Hi, Mom” — has racked up the year’s second-highest global gross so far, mostly on the strength of its domestic receipts. That’s been enough to secure it an international release through Sony, but “Yolo” is likelier to bemuse outside viewers unfamiliar with Jia’s persona as a celebrity comedian — and her extreme weight-loss journey while making the film, a narrative that powered its publicity on home turf.
“Yolo” is itself a work of cultural translation, adapted as it is from Japanese director Masaharu Take...
“Yolo” is itself a work of cultural translation, adapted as it is from Japanese director Masaharu Take...
- 4/18/2024
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Linmon Pictures, one of the most outward-looking mainland Chinese entertainment firms, is preparing premium series “Hate Coin.”
The show is being produced in association with Jonathan Wong and Justina Shih’s production company Octagon Metatainment, a Hong Kong-based multimedia studio.
“Hate Coin” is based on international best-selling novel “Second Sister,” by successful Hong Kong novelist Chan Ho Kei, whose previous book “The Borrowed” was a crime story that panned five-decades.
The story follows the activities of a young woman whose school-age sister appeared to have committed suicide. Suspecting foul play, the woman trams up with a manipulative hacker and cybersecurity expert to try to dig deeper.
“What follows is a cat and mouse game through the city of Hong Kong and its digital underground, especially an online gossip platform, where someone has been slandering Siu-Man. The novel is also populated by a man harassing girls on mass transit; high school kids,...
The show is being produced in association with Jonathan Wong and Justina Shih’s production company Octagon Metatainment, a Hong Kong-based multimedia studio.
“Hate Coin” is based on international best-selling novel “Second Sister,” by successful Hong Kong novelist Chan Ho Kei, whose previous book “The Borrowed” was a crime story that panned five-decades.
The story follows the activities of a young woman whose school-age sister appeared to have committed suicide. Suspecting foul play, the woman trams up with a manipulative hacker and cybersecurity expert to try to dig deeper.
“What follows is a cat and mouse game through the city of Hong Kong and its digital underground, especially an online gossip platform, where someone has been slandering Siu-Man. The novel is also populated by a man harassing girls on mass transit; high school kids,...
- 3/15/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
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
Four Chinese films dominated the mainland China and global box office charts over the latest weekend. “Yolo,” a comedy drama about weight loss and self-discovery, was crowned as the top earning film worldwide for a second weekend running.
“Yolo” took $86.5 million (RMB614 million) between Friday and Sunday, giving it a 9-day cumulative total of $402 million (RMB2.85 million), according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway.
The second film by Jia Ling, who previously directed 2021 Lunar New Year smash hit “Hi, Mom”, “Yolo” released on Saturday, Feb. 10 and has retained the number one position since the second day of the Chinese New Year holidays, staying narrowly ahead of racing comedy “Pegasus 2.”
Over the latest weekend “Pegasus 2” earned $80.6 million, giving it a running total of $356 million.
“Article 20,” the Zhang Yimou-directed legal comedy, improved significantly. It climbed up one place to third in the Chinese and global weekend charts and earned $70.2 million over the weekend.
“Yolo” took $86.5 million (RMB614 million) between Friday and Sunday, giving it a 9-day cumulative total of $402 million (RMB2.85 million), according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway.
The second film by Jia Ling, who previously directed 2021 Lunar New Year smash hit “Hi, Mom”, “Yolo” released on Saturday, Feb. 10 and has retained the number one position since the second day of the Chinese New Year holidays, staying narrowly ahead of racing comedy “Pegasus 2.”
Over the latest weekend “Pegasus 2” earned $80.6 million, giving it a running total of $356 million.
“Article 20,” the Zhang Yimou-directed legal comedy, improved significantly. It climbed up one place to third in the Chinese and global weekend charts and earned $70.2 million over the weekend.
- 2/19/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Le Ying (Jia Ling) has lived with her family for many years whiling away her time. Upon graduating from university and working for a period of time, Le Ying opts to withdraw from society and shut down her social life, believing this is the best way to “reconcile” with herself. But one day, after several tricks and twists of fate, she decides to change her way of life. As Le Ying very cautiously re-engages with the outside world, she meets a boxing coach Hao Kun (Lei Jiayin). Just as she thinks her life is almost back on track, she faces successive challenges beyond her imagination, and her “burning hot life” has only just begun …
According to Douban, “Yolo” is adapted from the 2014 Japanese movie “100 Yen Love”.
This movie is comedian-actress-director Jia Ling's sophomore feature, three years after her 2021 directorial debut box-office blockbuster “Hi, Mom” for which she holds the...
According to Douban, “Yolo” is adapted from the 2014 Japanese movie “100 Yen Love”.
This movie is comedian-actress-director Jia Ling's sophomore feature, three years after her 2021 directorial debut box-office blockbuster “Hi, Mom” for which she holds the...
- 1/25/2024
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Exclusive: Lighthouse Management + Media has signed buzzy writer-director Laura Kosann for representation in all areas.
A fast-rising star, Kosann was a 2021 Academy Nicholl Fellow and has had three features on The Black List in the last two years.
Currently, she is scripting Sony’s English-language remake of Hi, Mom, the Chinese film from director Jia Ling which, before Barbie, was the highest-grossing pic helmed by a solo female director. Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch and Becky Sanderman will produce alongside Wenxin She (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).
Previously, Kosann adapted the comic book Mercy Sparx for MGM, with The Picture Company producing. She’s rewriting the live-action musical Santa Is Real, which Stephen Chbosky (Dear Evan Hansen) is set to direct for Amazon and Shiny Penny Productions, and is also working on a horror project for a streamer that is currently under wraps. Additionally, her Black Listed sci-fi thriller script,...
A fast-rising star, Kosann was a 2021 Academy Nicholl Fellow and has had three features on The Black List in the last two years.
Currently, she is scripting Sony’s English-language remake of Hi, Mom, the Chinese film from director Jia Ling which, before Barbie, was the highest-grossing pic helmed by a solo female director. Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch and Becky Sanderman will produce alongside Wenxin She (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).
Previously, Kosann adapted the comic book Mercy Sparx for MGM, with The Picture Company producing. She’s rewriting the live-action musical Santa Is Real, which Stephen Chbosky (Dear Evan Hansen) is set to direct for Amazon and Shiny Penny Productions, and is also working on a horror project for a streamer that is currently under wraps. Additionally, her Black Listed sci-fi thriller script,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
While there is still a chunk of the year left to go, the summer movie season is officially behind us as "The Equalizer 3" topped the charts over Labor Day weekend. With that, we move into fall where awards season hopefuls will enter the fold, and horror movies will look to cash in around the Halloween season. Sure, a movie could break out big between now and December 31 but, by and large, the biggest movies of the year are probably behind us. And, for the first time in more than 20 years, the three biggest of the big movies are not sequels.
Currently, the top three movies of 2023 at the global box office are "Barbie" ($1.384 billion), "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" ($1.359 billion), and "Oppenheimer" ($853.5 million), per The Numbers. Two of these are films based on established IP from Mattel and Nintendo, respectively, while director Christopher Nolan made a biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer,...
Currently, the top three movies of 2023 at the global box office are "Barbie" ($1.384 billion), "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" ($1.359 billion), and "Oppenheimer" ($853.5 million), per The Numbers. Two of these are films based on established IP from Mattel and Nintendo, respectively, while director Christopher Nolan made a biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
The top-earning film at the box office this weekend wasn’t “Barbie,” but rather “The Meg 2: The Trench.” The Warner Bros. Discovery/Cmc Pictures shark tale earned $142 million worldwide in its global debut, including a robust $53.3 million in China.
That opening weekend was already 11% higher than “Jurassic World Dominion,” 41% above “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and more than double “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” It is also higher than the $50 million first weekend posted by “The Meg” in China back in August 2018.
It’s a big deal that “The Meg 2: The Trench” is performing anything like a pre-covid business-as-usual Hollywood tentpole. The key advantage might be old-fashioned star power.
The earlier Jason Statham/Li Bingbing-led actioner eventually earned $153 million of its $530 million total in the Middle Kingdom. If the sequel, which swaps Li for Wu Jing, legs out accordingly, we could see a $162 million Chinese total.
That opening weekend was already 11% higher than “Jurassic World Dominion,” 41% above “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and more than double “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” It is also higher than the $50 million first weekend posted by “The Meg” in China back in August 2018.
It’s a big deal that “The Meg 2: The Trench” is performing anything like a pre-covid business-as-usual Hollywood tentpole. The key advantage might be old-fashioned star power.
The earlier Jason Statham/Li Bingbing-led actioner eventually earned $153 million of its $530 million total in the Middle Kingdom. If the sequel, which swaps Li for Wu Jing, legs out accordingly, we could see a $162 million Chinese total.
- 8/8/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Even though things didn't start out on the best foot, Pixar's "Elemental" has had a downright astonishing run at the box office since it opened last month and, in its seventh weekend, managed to cross a pretty impressive milestone. Amazingly enough, it now ranks as the highest-grossing original Hollywood film released in theaters since the pandemic began. Yes, really.
After adding $3.4 million in its most recent weekend domestically, "Elemental" now sits at $395.2 million worldwide. That is currently more than "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" ($356 million), which was released two weeks after Pixar's latest. The film overtook Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" ($365.3 million) to take the title of Hollywood's biggest original of the pandemic era. As many of you will surely recall, Warner Bros. opted to release "Tenet" at the height of Covid in late 2020 to help give theaters something to show after they had been shut down for months on end.
After adding $3.4 million in its most recent weekend domestically, "Elemental" now sits at $395.2 million worldwide. That is currently more than "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" ($356 million), which was released two weeks after Pixar's latest. The film overtook Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" ($365.3 million) to take the title of Hollywood's biggest original of the pandemic era. As many of you will surely recall, Warner Bros. opted to release "Tenet" at the height of Covid in late 2020 to help give theaters something to show after they had been shut down for months on end.
- 8/1/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Swedish pic Mother, Couch! starring Taylor Russell and Ewan McGregor alongside Ellen Burstyn is one of the titles San Sebastian has set to compete for its New Directors award during its 71st edition, running September 22 — 30.
The film is from the debut feature filmmaker Niclas Larsson and follows three estranged children who are brought together when their mother refuses to move from a couch in a furniture store. The previously unannounced film is a US – Danish – Swedish co-production. Unlike the other titles announced today, the mystery project had no accompanying image.
Eleven productions from nineteen countries will compete for San Sebastian’s Kutxabank-New Directors Award. Of all the selected movies, seven are debut works, while the rest are second features. The Kutxabank-New Directors Award comes with a 50,000 euro cash prize divided equally between the director and the distributor of the film in Spain. Films in the New Directors section are also...
The film is from the debut feature filmmaker Niclas Larsson and follows three estranged children who are brought together when their mother refuses to move from a couch in a furniture store. The previously unannounced film is a US – Danish – Swedish co-production. Unlike the other titles announced today, the mystery project had no accompanying image.
Eleven productions from nineteen countries will compete for San Sebastian’s Kutxabank-New Directors Award. Of all the selected movies, seven are debut works, while the rest are second features. The Kutxabank-New Directors Award comes with a 50,000 euro cash prize divided equally between the director and the distributor of the film in Spain. Films in the New Directors section are also...
- 7/27/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
The long-in-development, at least from a post-production point-of-view, action comedy “Hidden Strike” has its first trailer, which you can watch above. That means the Jackie Chan/John Cena team-up flick, which was shot back in 2018, may finally reach cinemas or at least VOD. The film, initially titled “Snafu,” became a consistent victim of changing circumstances but external and internal.
The film was green-lit and shot amid a resurgence specifically in China for Jackie Chan-fronted actioners like “Kung Fu Yoga” and “Skiptrace.” The latter was also a (partially) English-language romp starring Johnny Knoxville in a clear attempt to recapture some of that “Rush Hour” or “Shanghai Knights” magic from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“Skiptrace” earned $131 million in 2016 while the former globe-trotting adventure film “Kung Fu Yoga” earned $256 million in 2017. “Since then, “The Climbers” earned $174 million in 2019, but Covid obviously put a damper on such robust earnings for a moment.
The film was green-lit and shot amid a resurgence specifically in China for Jackie Chan-fronted actioners like “Kung Fu Yoga” and “Skiptrace.” The latter was also a (partially) English-language romp starring Johnny Knoxville in a clear attempt to recapture some of that “Rush Hour” or “Shanghai Knights” magic from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“Skiptrace” earned $131 million in 2016 while the former globe-trotting adventure film “Kung Fu Yoga” earned $256 million in 2017. “Since then, “The Climbers” earned $174 million in 2019, but Covid obviously put a damper on such robust earnings for a moment.
- 5/31/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
After a down year for the second-biggest moviegoing marketplace, China’s theatrical industry may be back with or without Hollywood’s help. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” earned just 7.5 million after four days in China, but the Middle Kingdom’s two biggest Lunar New Year releases continued to soar. “The Wandering Earth 2,” a prequel to the early-2019 disaster epic, topped 518 million, while Zhang Yimou’s period-piece suspense comedy “Full River Red” sailed past 609 million.
“This is a great reminder of what the Chinese box office looks like when it’s firing on all cylinders — strong results driven by a broad, diverse offering of films across genres from local and Hollywood filmmakers alike,” IMAX China CEO Daniel Manwaring told TheWrap.
That “The Wandering Earth 2” is not the season’s top Chinese tentpole and probably won’t match its 699 million-grossing predecessor is a slight surprise. There is a recent pattern in...
“This is a great reminder of what the Chinese box office looks like when it’s firing on all cylinders — strong results driven by a broad, diverse offering of films across genres from local and Hollywood filmmakers alike,” IMAX China CEO Daniel Manwaring told TheWrap.
That “The Wandering Earth 2” is not the season’s top Chinese tentpole and probably won’t match its 699 million-grossing predecessor is a slight surprise. There is a recent pattern in...
- 2/13/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Beijing-based Tiger Pictures Entertainment has acquired worldwide distribution rights outside of mainland China for hit sci-fi comedy film “Moon Man.“
The film, which has collected some 430 million at the Chinese box office to date, tells the story of “the last human in the universe” as an astronaut finds himself stranded on the moon after an asteroid wipes out life on earth. It is directed by Zhang Chiyu, who previously directed 2017 sports comedy hit “Never Say Die.” It was produced by Mahua FunAge, a consistently successful comedy production firm.
FunAge’s “Goodbye Mr. Loser” and “Never Say Die” starred Shen Teng and Ma Li and “Moon Man” brings together the comedy duo once again.
Tiger Pictures Entertainment previously handled the worldwide release of another comedy hit film “Hi Mom” in all major markets with a prominent Chinese diaspora, including North America, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia as well Hong Kong and Macau Sar.
The film, which has collected some 430 million at the Chinese box office to date, tells the story of “the last human in the universe” as an astronaut finds himself stranded on the moon after an asteroid wipes out life on earth. It is directed by Zhang Chiyu, who previously directed 2017 sports comedy hit “Never Say Die.” It was produced by Mahua FunAge, a consistently successful comedy production firm.
FunAge’s “Goodbye Mr. Loser” and “Never Say Die” starred Shen Teng and Ma Li and “Moon Man” brings together the comedy duo once again.
Tiger Pictures Entertainment previously handled the worldwide release of another comedy hit film “Hi Mom” in all major markets with a prominent Chinese diaspora, including North America, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia as well Hong Kong and Macau Sar.
- 9/13/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran and Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Casting movie stars can be a tricky proposition, especially if you're making a big-budget film with unproven talent. In 1987, that's exactly what Kevin Costner was. He'd appeared in three box-office bombs in 1985, and, prior to this, had been cut out of Lawrence Kasdan's Baby Boomer smash "The Big Chill." But after missing out on the more established Don Johnson (who was red hot at the time thanks to "Miami Vice"), Costner wound up being Brian De Palma's Eliot Ness in the hit-hungry director's big-screen rendition of "The Untouchables." And while De Palma had a bit of movie star insurance in Sean Connery as the veteran beat cop Malone, David Mamet's masterful screenplay screamed for a larger-than-life Al Capone.
De Palma only had eyes for Robert De Niro, and he had a history with the actor, having worked with him in the counterculture comedies "Greetings" and "Hi, Mom!
De Palma only had eyes for Robert De Niro, and he had a history with the actor, having worked with him in the counterculture comedies "Greetings" and "Hi, Mom!
- 8/31/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” has added 31.6 million domestically and 40 million internationally in its third weekend in theaters, bringing its box office totals to 342 million domestic and 803 million worldwide and passing the theatrical runs of “No Time to Die” and “The Batman.”
This means that the MCU now has the top two highest totals for any Hollywood film since theaters reopened, as “Doctor Strange 2” is now only second to the 1.89 billion total of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” It should also pass the totals of last year’s Chinese blockbuster hits “Hi, Mom” (822 million) and “The Battle at Lake Changjin” (902 million) in the coming weeks.
Also Read:
‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ Film Review: Plenty of Cozy but Not Much Drama in This For-Fans-Only Sequel
Meanwhile, Focus Features’ “Downton Abbey: A New Era” has opened to 16 million from 3,820 theaters — a record screen count for Universal’s specialty...
This means that the MCU now has the top two highest totals for any Hollywood film since theaters reopened, as “Doctor Strange 2” is now only second to the 1.89 billion total of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” It should also pass the totals of last year’s Chinese blockbuster hits “Hi, Mom” (822 million) and “The Battle at Lake Changjin” (902 million) in the coming weeks.
Also Read:
‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ Film Review: Plenty of Cozy but Not Much Drama in This For-Fans-Only Sequel
Meanwhile, Focus Features’ “Downton Abbey: A New Era” has opened to 16 million from 3,820 theaters — a record screen count for Universal’s specialty...
- 5/22/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
A minor player in the Chinese film scene, “Hi, mom” has turned incredibly quickly into a box office superstar, propelling its co-writer, director and star Jia Ling into directors’ heaven. To give you an idea, the film is, as we speak, the second highest ever grossing film in China – just behind “Wolf Warrior 2,” – and its director, writer and star Jia Ling is the world’s (!!) highest-grossing female director. It has been calculated that the film has cashed more than the entirety of Zhang Yimou’s body of work, or Feng Xiaogang in his whole career. But is the film any good? It is with great curiosity and a touch of scepticism that I prepared to watch it.
“Hi, Mom” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
Xiaoling is a likeable ordinary girl who, in her opinion, never managed to make her mother Ying (Liu Jia), feel proud. She...
“Hi, Mom” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
Xiaoling is a likeable ordinary girl who, in her opinion, never managed to make her mother Ying (Liu Jia), feel proud. She...
- 4/26/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
As Hollywood heads to Las Vegas for CinemaCon, studios will land in Sin City with a renewed appreciation for the money that can be made in cinemas.
After experimenting with different release strategies and launching their own streaming services, many studios better understand that there’s no substitute for the attention and treasure that comes with a big, old-fashioned theatrical launch. Bold moves like Warner Bros.’ decision to send its entire 2021 slate to HBO Max at the same time the films opened in cinemas proved to be a mixed bag, and every major studio has opted to have some kind of exclusive theatrical window for the foreseeable future.
That means that the palpable tension that hung over last year’s gathering will have lifted, even as the box office has failed to recapture its pre-pandemic stride. But there are plenty of unpleasant realities still facing an exhibition industry hoping to move on from Covid.
After experimenting with different release strategies and launching their own streaming services, many studios better understand that there’s no substitute for the attention and treasure that comes with a big, old-fashioned theatrical launch. Bold moves like Warner Bros.’ decision to send its entire 2021 slate to HBO Max at the same time the films opened in cinemas proved to be a mixed bag, and every major studio has opted to have some kind of exclusive theatrical window for the foreseeable future.
That means that the palpable tension that hung over last year’s gathering will have lifted, even as the box office has failed to recapture its pre-pandemic stride. But there are plenty of unpleasant realities still facing an exhibition industry hoping to move on from Covid.
- 4/25/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
While Warner Bros. saw “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” get off to a rough start at the box office, the studio had some good news as its other big 2022 blockbuster, “The Batman,” became only the fifth film since the Covid-19 pandemic began to gross 750 million worldwide.
“The Batman” joins a list led by Sony’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (1.89 billion) and also includes the Chinese films “The Battle at Lake Changjin” (902.5 million) and “Hi, Mom” (822 million) as well as MGM’s James Bond movie “No Time to Die” (774 million).
“The incredible response we’ve seen at theaters across the country is a testament to both the enduring power of this iconic DC superhero and the huge appetite out there to experience great movies on the big screen,” Warner domestic distribution head Jeff Goldstein said in a statement. “We congratulate everyone involved on reaching this impressive milestone.”
“The Batman” got...
“The Batman” joins a list led by Sony’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (1.89 billion) and also includes the Chinese films “The Battle at Lake Changjin” (902.5 million) and “Hi, Mom” (822 million) as well as MGM’s James Bond movie “No Time to Die” (774 million).
“The incredible response we’ve seen at theaters across the country is a testament to both the enduring power of this iconic DC superhero and the huge appetite out there to experience great movies on the big screen,” Warner domestic distribution head Jeff Goldstein said in a statement. “We congratulate everyone involved on reaching this impressive milestone.”
“The Batman” got...
- 4/17/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
2022 brings Far East Film back to its historical dimension. The Feff is once again what it has always been since 1999, but it also carries the imprint of all the latest changes: it is an augmented festival, more inclusive, and even more curious. If in the last two years Far East Film was forced to reinventing itself and review its formula with different parameters, these last few months have generated a sudden and wonderful acceleration: a wave of new energy, a vital frenzy which has shaped the twenty-fourth edition.
The Teatro Nuovo “Giovanni da Udine” with its 1200 seats will firmly resume its role as headquarters and it will be joined by the Visionary, an outpost of the special sections and retrospectives. The 2022 selection will include a total of 72 titles of which 42 in competition. 15 countries will be represented (including an Italy-China co-production), the number of female directors rises to 12 (of which 8 in...
The Teatro Nuovo “Giovanni da Udine” with its 1200 seats will firmly resume its role as headquarters and it will be joined by the Visionary, an outpost of the special sections and retrospectives. The 2022 selection will include a total of 72 titles of which 42 in competition. 15 countries will be represented (including an Italy-China co-production), the number of female directors rises to 12 (of which 8 in...
- 4/12/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The Far East Film Festival in Italy’s Udine has set Chinese-Italian co-production “The Italian Recipe” as the opening title of a revived, largely in-person event.
The film, directed by Hou Zuxin, sees an unexpected series of events bring together a Chinese reality TV show contestant and a woman already resident in Italy. The collision of personalities, connections and chemistry between stars Liu Xun and Yao Huang resemble those of “Roman Holiday,” festival organizers suggest. The film has its world premier on Friday next week, launching a nine-day event that runs until April 22-30.
The 2022 selection runs to 72 titles, selected from over 400 submissions, numbers that organizers say, is proof that Asian filmmaking was not halted by the Covid-19 pandemic. “The fear, not unreasonable, given all the halted productions, dismantled sets and release dates announced and then postponed for months, that there wouldn’t be many films to choose from was...
The film, directed by Hou Zuxin, sees an unexpected series of events bring together a Chinese reality TV show contestant and a woman already resident in Italy. The collision of personalities, connections and chemistry between stars Liu Xun and Yao Huang resemble those of “Roman Holiday,” festival organizers suggest. The film has its world premier on Friday next week, launching a nine-day event that runs until April 22-30.
The 2022 selection runs to 72 titles, selected from over 400 submissions, numbers that organizers say, is proof that Asian filmmaking was not halted by the Covid-19 pandemic. “The fear, not unreasonable, given all the halted productions, dismantled sets and release dates announced and then postponed for months, that there wouldn’t be many films to choose from was...
- 4/12/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
After two weeks in theaters, Warner Bros./DC’s “The Batman” has passed $500 million at the global box office, with more than half of that total coming from domestic theaters.
On Wednesday, “The Batman” added $5.75 million domestically, bringing its total to $258.3 million in North America and $505.8 million worldwide. The Matt Reeves film now stands as Warner’s highest-grossing theatrical release since theaters reopened, topping the $468 million of “Godzilla vs. Kong.”
It is also now the eighth movie since the Covid-19 pandemic began, and fifth from Hollywood, to reach the $500 million mark. “The Batman” joins post-shutdown record holder “Spider-Man: No Way Home” ($1.87 billion), “No Time to Die” ($774 million), “F9” ($726 million), and “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” ($502 million), along with Chinese films “The Battle at Lake Changjin” ($902.5 million), “Hi, Mom” ($822 million) and “Detective Chinatown 3” ($686 million).
“The Batman” is set to keep rolling in big box office numbers in the second half of March.
On Wednesday, “The Batman” added $5.75 million domestically, bringing its total to $258.3 million in North America and $505.8 million worldwide. The Matt Reeves film now stands as Warner’s highest-grossing theatrical release since theaters reopened, topping the $468 million of “Godzilla vs. Kong.”
It is also now the eighth movie since the Covid-19 pandemic began, and fifth from Hollywood, to reach the $500 million mark. “The Batman” joins post-shutdown record holder “Spider-Man: No Way Home” ($1.87 billion), “No Time to Die” ($774 million), “F9” ($726 million), and “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” ($502 million), along with Chinese films “The Battle at Lake Changjin” ($902.5 million), “Hi, Mom” ($822 million) and “Detective Chinatown 3” ($686 million).
“The Batman” is set to keep rolling in big box office numbers in the second half of March.
- 3/17/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster and Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) announced on Wednesday that “Drive My Car” has won its 2022 Aacta Award for Best Asian Film.
This is the first Aacta Award for director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, adding to the movie’s impressive haul of international accolades to date, including three awards at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and four Oscar nominations — for Best Picture, Best Director (the first ever for a Japanese film), Best Adapted Screenplay and Best International Feature.
Adapted from a short story of the same name by author Haruki Murakami, “Drive My Car” centers on two characters struggling with grief and loss, who connect while working on a new stage production of “Uncle Vanya” in the city of Hiroshima.
See Nominees and winners for the Australian Academy International Awards
In presenting the award, Aacta CEO Damian Trewhella proclaimed that “while all nominees for our Best Asian film have great strengths,...
This is the first Aacta Award for director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, adding to the movie’s impressive haul of international accolades to date, including three awards at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and four Oscar nominations — for Best Picture, Best Director (the first ever for a Japanese film), Best Adapted Screenplay and Best International Feature.
Adapted from a short story of the same name by author Haruki Murakami, “Drive My Car” centers on two characters struggling with grief and loss, who connect while working on a new stage production of “Uncle Vanya” in the city of Hiroshima.
See Nominees and winners for the Australian Academy International Awards
In presenting the award, Aacta CEO Damian Trewhella proclaimed that “while all nominees for our Best Asian film have great strengths,...
- 3/3/2022
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
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
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
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
Global cinema box office reached $21.4 billion in 2021, according to calculations by researcher Gower Street Analytics. Powered by a “Spider-Man: No Way Home” surge in the last month, the annual total is a 78% gain on 2020. But last year’s cumulative was less than half of the $41.3 billion average of the three pre-pandemic years 2017-2019.
Gower Street estimates that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for $11.3 billion of the total. Within that figure, China accounted for $7.4 billion, confirming its position as the largest single box office territory for the second consecutive year.
The North American (aka “domestic”) market weighed in at an estimated $4.5 billion. Europe, the Middle East and Africa counted for a combined $4.4 billion and Latin America $1.1 billion.
The performance meant that Asia-Pacific (including China) grew from 50.2% in 2020 to 52.8% of global box office in 2021, and that China alone grew its share from 28% to over a third (34%).
But the drive of local content in...
Gower Street estimates that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for $11.3 billion of the total. Within that figure, China accounted for $7.4 billion, confirming its position as the largest single box office territory for the second consecutive year.
The North American (aka “domestic”) market weighed in at an estimated $4.5 billion. Europe, the Middle East and Africa counted for a combined $4.4 billion and Latin America $1.1 billion.
The performance meant that Asia-Pacific (including China) grew from 50.2% in 2020 to 52.8% of global box office in 2021, and that China alone grew its share from 28% to over a third (34%).
But the drive of local content in...
- 1/7/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
China’s government-backed Golden Rooster Awards honored Oscar-winning drama “The Father” with the event’s first-ever prize for best international film in the coastal city of Xiamen on Thursday.
Beijing hopes that its star-studded awards ceremony can rival and surpass the Taipei-based Golden Horse Awards, once known as the “Oscars of Asia” for Chinese-language content. This year, the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, which kicked off Tuesday, added the international film competition category for the first time.
This year’s 34th iteration honors films screened theatrically in China between July 1, 2020 and July 15, 2021.
“The Father” beat out animation “Wolfwalkers,” World War II drama “Persian Lessons,” Italy’s live-action “Pinocchio” and the Thai drama “Happy Old Year.” The film grossed $4.14 million in China in June — nearly double the $2.12 million it earned in the U.S.
Veteran helmer Zhang Yimou was the most decorated of this year’s ceremony, with his...
Beijing hopes that its star-studded awards ceremony can rival and surpass the Taipei-based Golden Horse Awards, once known as the “Oscars of Asia” for Chinese-language content. This year, the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, which kicked off Tuesday, added the international film competition category for the first time.
This year’s 34th iteration honors films screened theatrically in China between July 1, 2020 and July 15, 2021.
“The Father” beat out animation “Wolfwalkers,” World War II drama “Persian Lessons,” Italy’s live-action “Pinocchio” and the Thai drama “Happy Old Year.” The film grossed $4.14 million in China in June — nearly double the $2.12 million it earned in the U.S.
Veteran helmer Zhang Yimou was the most decorated of this year’s ceremony, with his...
- 12/30/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
“Spider-Man: No Way Home,” the grand finale in Marvel’s web-slinging trilogy, has crossed another major box office milestone, surpassing $800 million globally.
After 10 days on the big screen, the latest Spidey adventure starring Tom Holland has become the highest-grossing Hollywood movie of the year with $813.9 million worldwide. It passed MGM’s James Bond sequel “No Time to Die,” which grossed $774 million globally.
To date, only two local Chinese movies — “The Battle at Lake Changjin” ($902 million) and “Hi, Mom” ($882 million) — have generated more than “No Way Home” at the global box office, but Sony and Marvel’s superhero epic looks to dethrone those titles in the coming week. At this pace, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” will be the first pandemic-era movie to crush the $1 billion mark, an especially impressive feat considering the film isn’t playing in China.
At the domestic box office, the newest “Spider-Man” tale collected $27 million on Wednesday from 4,336 theaters,...
After 10 days on the big screen, the latest Spidey adventure starring Tom Holland has become the highest-grossing Hollywood movie of the year with $813.9 million worldwide. It passed MGM’s James Bond sequel “No Time to Die,” which grossed $774 million globally.
To date, only two local Chinese movies — “The Battle at Lake Changjin” ($902 million) and “Hi, Mom” ($882 million) — have generated more than “No Way Home” at the global box office, but Sony and Marvel’s superhero epic looks to dethrone those titles in the coming week. At this pace, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” will be the first pandemic-era movie to crush the $1 billion mark, an especially impressive feat considering the film isn’t playing in China.
At the domestic box office, the newest “Spider-Man” tale collected $27 million on Wednesday from 4,336 theaters,...
- 12/23/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
China will be the world’s largest box office market for the second year running, overturning the decade-long rankings and staying ahead of the North American market as it did in for the first time in 2020.
And, even if “Spider-Man: No Way Home” avoids becoming caught in a web of omicron-related shutdowns to become the highest grossing film of 2021, Chinese movies “The Battle at Lake Changjin” and “Hi, Mom” are certain to account for at least two of the year’s top five.
Such a new world order has been long anticipated by some in Beijing, though it did not materialize how or when many in China had forecast. In the end, China’s crown was hastened by the two countries’ vastly different responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“China will be the highest grossing territory for 2021. It is currently sitting at approximately $7 billion, which represents just over 39% of the 2021 global box office total.
And, even if “Spider-Man: No Way Home” avoids becoming caught in a web of omicron-related shutdowns to become the highest grossing film of 2021, Chinese movies “The Battle at Lake Changjin” and “Hi, Mom” are certain to account for at least two of the year’s top five.
Such a new world order has been long anticipated by some in Beijing, though it did not materialize how or when many in China had forecast. In the end, China’s crown was hastened by the two countries’ vastly different responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“China will be the highest grossing territory for 2021. It is currently sitting at approximately $7 billion, which represents just over 39% of the 2021 global box office total.
- 12/23/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Web-slinger on course to overtake China’s The Battle At Lake Changjin on Friday.
Update: Spider-Man: No Way Home has reached $876m at the global box office and is on course to cross $1bn on December 25 according to Sony sources, an astonishing feat in a little over a week given the Omicron surge that would make it the global box office champion of 2021 and the only film to reach the billion milestone during the pandemic.
The achievement means Spidey will have crossed the threshold in 11 days – the joint second fastest time in history behind Avengers: Endgame (five days), tying with Avengers: Infinity War.
Update: Spider-Man: No Way Home has reached $876m at the global box office and is on course to cross $1bn on December 25 according to Sony sources, an astonishing feat in a little over a week given the Omicron surge that would make it the global box office champion of 2021 and the only film to reach the billion milestone during the pandemic.
The achievement means Spidey will have crossed the threshold in 11 days – the joint second fastest time in history behind Avengers: Endgame (five days), tying with Avengers: Infinity War.
- 12/23/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Marvel’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is swinging to the rescue.
Tom Holland’s newest web-slinging adventure “Spider-Man: No Way Home” hits theaters on Friday and is poised to generate $150 million in its box office debut — a heroic feat even by pre-covid standards. The film’s distributor Sony Pictures modestly predicts a three-day tally closer to $130 million, which would still rank as a huge win. But given pent-up demand and record pre-sales, some box office prognosticators are more bullish. They believe an opening weekend near $175 million could be within reach.
At the very least, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” looks to be the first pandemic-era movie to cross $100 million in a single weekend, an achievement that felt more like a distant dream this time last year. Only one film, Sony’s comic book sequel “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” has come close to hitting that benchmark, with initial revenues at a still-impressive $90 million domestically.
Tom Holland’s newest web-slinging adventure “Spider-Man: No Way Home” hits theaters on Friday and is poised to generate $150 million in its box office debut — a heroic feat even by pre-covid standards. The film’s distributor Sony Pictures modestly predicts a three-day tally closer to $130 million, which would still rank as a huge win. But given pent-up demand and record pre-sales, some box office prognosticators are more bullish. They believe an opening weekend near $175 million could be within reach.
At the very least, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” looks to be the first pandemic-era movie to cross $100 million in a single weekend, an achievement that felt more like a distant dream this time last year. Only one film, Sony’s comic book sequel “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” has come close to hitting that benchmark, with initial revenues at a still-impressive $90 million domestically.
- 12/14/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
The 2019 Indian coming-of-age comedic drama “Chhichhore” is set to hit Chinese screens nationwide on Jan. 7, 2022. It will be the first Indian film to release in the world’s largest film market in two years following a bitter border dispute.
The news comes as Chinese authorities remain mum about approvals for Hollywood blockbusters like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” yet have just programmed a slew of small, years-old titles from countries other than the U.S., potentially indicating a more severe ban on U.S. imports.
“Chhichhore” is directed and co-written by Nitesh Tiwari, whose last film — “Dangal,” starring Aamir Khan — became an unexpected smash hit in China in 2017, grossing $193 million.
Indian films have been unofficially iced out of China since skirmishes on the border between the two countries in 2020 led to a rise of nationalism and acrimony on both sides.
Before that, Indian cinema experienced...
The news comes as Chinese authorities remain mum about approvals for Hollywood blockbusters like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” yet have just programmed a slew of small, years-old titles from countries other than the U.S., potentially indicating a more severe ban on U.S. imports.
“Chhichhore” is directed and co-written by Nitesh Tiwari, whose last film — “Dangal,” starring Aamir Khan — became an unexpected smash hit in China in 2017, grossing $193 million.
Indian films have been unofficially iced out of China since skirmishes on the border between the two countries in 2020 led to a rise of nationalism and acrimony on both sides.
Before that, Indian cinema experienced...
- 12/14/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
From 1997 until 2012, no Martin Scorsese films were available in China.
2020 was the first year in history wherein the Chinese box office outstripped that of the United States, and 2021 is shaping up to be the same. The highest-grossing films of this year are "The Battle of Lake Chanjing," which made $900 million, and "Hi, Mom," which made $850 million and is the highest grossing film ever directed by a woman. The third highest is "F9."
China's relationship to modern Hollywood is deep and complicated, and there is a tetchy history of push-and-pull with Chinese censors. In recent years, many mainstream American films have been including...
The post This Movie Got Martin Scorsese Temporarily Banned From China appeared first on /Film.
2020 was the first year in history wherein the Chinese box office outstripped that of the United States, and 2021 is shaping up to be the same. The highest-grossing films of this year are "The Battle of Lake Chanjing," which made $900 million, and "Hi, Mom," which made $850 million and is the highest grossing film ever directed by a woman. The third highest is "F9."
China's relationship to modern Hollywood is deep and complicated, and there is a tetchy history of push-and-pull with Chinese censors. In recent years, many mainstream American films have been including...
The post This Movie Got Martin Scorsese Temporarily Banned From China appeared first on /Film.
- 12/5/2021
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
China has released the list of nominees for its upcoming Golden Rooster Awards, a set of government-approved film industry prizes that it wants to be seen as rivaling the Taipei-based Golden Horse Awards, historically considered as the “Chinese-language Oscars.”
The winning Roosters will be announced amidst a film festival running Dec. 28-30 in the port city of Xiamen in coastal Fujian province, just a short boat ride away from Taiwanese soil. Established in 1981, the event was previously held biannually until China’s rift with the Golden Horse prizes occurred in 2018 following a pro-Taiwanese independence acceptance speech and prompted the Roosters to become an annual occurrence.
This year’s twenty different Rooster Awards will honor films screened theatrically between July 1, 2020 and July 15, 2021. As the event is backed by China’s propaganda department, only local and foreign titles that have received official censorship approvals will be considered.
“As we all know, the...
The winning Roosters will be announced amidst a film festival running Dec. 28-30 in the port city of Xiamen in coastal Fujian province, just a short boat ride away from Taiwanese soil. Established in 1981, the event was previously held biannually until China’s rift with the Golden Horse prizes occurred in 2018 following a pro-Taiwanese independence acceptance speech and prompted the Roosters to become an annual occurrence.
This year’s twenty different Rooster Awards will honor films screened theatrically between July 1, 2020 and July 15, 2021. As the event is backed by China’s propaganda department, only local and foreign titles that have received official censorship approvals will be considered.
“As we all know, the...
- 11/30/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” has become the highest grossing film of all time in China, after nearly two months of release. Co-directed by a trio of major helmers, Dante Lam, Chen Kaige and Tsui Hark, it is also the top earning film in the world this year.
The Chinese record was achieved on Wednesday evening local time when the film passed the RMB5.69 billion total achieved in 2017 by “Wolf Warrior II,” another patriotic war film. By midday on Thursday “Changjin” had advanced to RMB5.70 billion or $892 million at current rates of exchange, according to data from Ent Group.
The feat was confirmed by state-controlled media which had long predicted the achievement. Chinese media also reported that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian sent congratulations to Wu Jing, the actor who played leading roles in both “Wolf Warrior” and “Changjin.”
The film is set during the early part of the 1950-1953 Korean War,...
The Chinese record was achieved on Wednesday evening local time when the film passed the RMB5.69 billion total achieved in 2017 by “Wolf Warrior II,” another patriotic war film. By midday on Thursday “Changjin” had advanced to RMB5.70 billion or $892 million at current rates of exchange, according to data from Ent Group.
The feat was confirmed by state-controlled media which had long predicted the achievement. Chinese media also reported that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian sent congratulations to Wu Jing, the actor who played leading roles in both “Wolf Warrior” and “Changjin.”
The film is set during the early part of the 1950-1953 Korean War,...
- 11/25/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Crime comedy film “Be Somebody” expanded its box office take by 20% in its second weekend of release in China and joined in a 49% surge in nationwide gross revenues.
Nationwide box office climbed from $43.1 million in the previous weekend to $64.3 million between Friday and Sunday. For all that, China’s year to date box office haul is now 26% below that of pre-covid 2019.
Staying on top of the chart for a second session, “Be Somebody” earned $23.9 million over the weekend, according to data from Artisan Gateway. That gives it a 10-day total of $60.3 million.
The movie directed by Liu Xunzi Mo is a send-up of crime drama tropes, making fun of the genre through the story of a group of filmmakers trying to please a wealthy patron by creating a sufficiently blood-thirsty crime thriller when things begin to go awry in the mansion where they are cloistered to work on the project.
Nationwide box office climbed from $43.1 million in the previous weekend to $64.3 million between Friday and Sunday. For all that, China’s year to date box office haul is now 26% below that of pre-covid 2019.
Staying on top of the chart for a second session, “Be Somebody” earned $23.9 million over the weekend, according to data from Artisan Gateway. That gives it a 10-day total of $60.3 million.
The movie directed by Liu Xunzi Mo is a send-up of crime drama tropes, making fun of the genre through the story of a group of filmmakers trying to please a wealthy patron by creating a sufficiently blood-thirsty crime thriller when things begin to go awry in the mansion where they are cloistered to work on the project.
- 11/22/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Just after China’s long National Day holiday on Oct. 10, Chinese social media was plastered in red-and-gold memes and posts celebrating the annual box office to date hitting the $6.26 billion (RMB40 billion) mark. The tone was jubilant, celebrating the market’s triumph over the pandemic on the back of patriotic hit “The Battle at Lake Changjin.”
What wasn’t trumpeted, however, was that the milestone was achieved a full 62 days later than it was in 2019, and a good 66 days later than in 2018. Currently, it’s possible that China’s annual box office may not even hit the RMB55.8 billion ($8.73 billion) mark attained in 2017.
That may come as a surprise to those who have read headlines about the country setting box office records across five different holidays so far this year — New Year’s Day, February’s Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, Tomb Sweeping Festival and the May 1 Labor Day holiday.
What wasn’t trumpeted, however, was that the milestone was achieved a full 62 days later than it was in 2019, and a good 66 days later than in 2018. Currently, it’s possible that China’s annual box office may not even hit the RMB55.8 billion ($8.73 billion) mark attained in 2017.
That may come as a surprise to those who have read headlines about the country setting box office records across five different holidays so far this year — New Year’s Day, February’s Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, Tomb Sweeping Festival and the May 1 Labor Day holiday.
- 11/19/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Chinese real estate giant Evergrande has sold its entire remaining stake in the film and TV streaming company HengTen Networks Group for $273 million, part of efforts to avoid defaulting on its massive debts.
The world’s most indebted developer, some $300 billion in the red, is struggling to meet interest payments on its loans, and has been selling off shares to raise funds.
At the beginning of the year, Evergrande owned a majority stake in Netflix-like HengTen. In July, it sold a 7% stake to Chinese tech giant Tencent for around $266 million. Last week, it sold a further 5.7% stake for about $145 million, the BBC said. HengTen’s name is a portmanteau made up of the first characters for Chinese names of Evergrande and Tencent.
Evergrande sold its remaining stake of HengTen to Allied Resources Investment Holdings at about a 24% discount to its Wednesday closing price. The company said that it estimates...
The world’s most indebted developer, some $300 billion in the red, is struggling to meet interest payments on its loans, and has been selling off shares to raise funds.
At the beginning of the year, Evergrande owned a majority stake in Netflix-like HengTen. In July, it sold a 7% stake to Chinese tech giant Tencent for around $266 million. Last week, it sold a further 5.7% stake for about $145 million, the BBC said. HengTen’s name is a portmanteau made up of the first characters for Chinese names of Evergrande and Tencent.
Evergrande sold its remaining stake of HengTen to Allied Resources Investment Holdings at about a 24% discount to its Wednesday closing price. The company said that it estimates...
- 11/19/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
James Bond franchise film “No Time to Die” dropped by 59% in its second weekend at the Chinese box office. But it still held on to the top spot in the Middle Kingdom.
Data from Artisan Gateway showed that “No Time to Die” scored $11.4 million between Friday and Sunday. That kept it ahead of patriotic Chinese title “The Battle at Lake Changjin,” which took a further $8.7 million in second place.
“No Time to Die” has now accumulated $49.2 million after 10 days on release in China. Local ticketing agency and analysis firm Maoyan has slightly increased its forecast for the Bond title’s likely lifetime total from a previous RMB402 million ($63 million) to RMB420 million ($65.6 million).
That leaves “No Time to Die” significantly short of franchise predecessor “Spectre,” which earned $84 million in China in 2015.
In contrast, “Lake Changjin” has now reached $874 million since its Sept. 30, 2021 release. That cumulative means that “Lake Changjin” has...
Data from Artisan Gateway showed that “No Time to Die” scored $11.4 million between Friday and Sunday. That kept it ahead of patriotic Chinese title “The Battle at Lake Changjin,” which took a further $8.7 million in second place.
“No Time to Die” has now accumulated $49.2 million after 10 days on release in China. Local ticketing agency and analysis firm Maoyan has slightly increased its forecast for the Bond title’s likely lifetime total from a previous RMB402 million ($63 million) to RMB420 million ($65.6 million).
That leaves “No Time to Die” significantly short of franchise predecessor “Spectre,” which earned $84 million in China in 2015.
In contrast, “Lake Changjin” has now reached $874 million since its Sept. 30, 2021 release. That cumulative means that “Lake Changjin” has...
- 11/8/2021
- by Patrick Frater and Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Update, writethru: Powered by the international box office, and in a continued sign that overseas audiences are eager to return to cinemas for event fare, this was yet another weekend of milestones. MGM/Eon/Universal’s No Time To Die, as projected, crossed the $600M global mark this session, leading offshore play with an additional $51.9M from 72 combined Universal and MGM markets. That lifts the offshore cume to $472.4M and worldwide to $605.8M.
The bulk of the weekend’s business came from China where 007 debuted to an estimated $28.2M, repping the third best start for a Hollywood title in the market this year. While this is slightly lower than projections coming into the weekend, a contributing factor has been the Covid escalation over the past several days. As previously noted, social scores are the best on this Bond of any prior film in the franchise, and we’ve seen...
The bulk of the weekend’s business came from China where 007 debuted to an estimated $28.2M, repping the third best start for a Hollywood title in the market this year. While this is slightly lower than projections coming into the weekend, a contributing factor has been the Covid escalation over the past several days. As previously noted, social scores are the best on this Bond of any prior film in the franchise, and we’ve seen...
- 10/31/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
On Friday, China’s Korean War epic “The Battle at Lake Changjin” became the highest-grossing film in the world for 2021, surpassing the Chinese New Year breakout comedy hit “Hi, Mom.”
The gritty war film co-directed by Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark and Dante Lam has grossed $845 million (RMB5.41 billion) in 29 days, marching past “Hi, Mom,” which earned $821 million at the beginning of the year over a 90-day period. Films are typically given a month-long release window in China, but they can be extended to a two-month run for successful titles. Decisions to allow an even longer run are rarer, and often due to political concerns or a dearth of other strong content.
“Lake Changjin” is currently China’s second highest-grossing film in history behind local title “Wolf Warrior 2″ ($854 million), which also features star Wu Jing and a jingoistic military theme.
The former has more or less dominated the China market since its Sept.
The gritty war film co-directed by Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark and Dante Lam has grossed $845 million (RMB5.41 billion) in 29 days, marching past “Hi, Mom,” which earned $821 million at the beginning of the year over a 90-day period. Films are typically given a month-long release window in China, but they can be extended to a two-month run for successful titles. Decisions to allow an even longer run are rarer, and often due to political concerns or a dearth of other strong content.
“Lake Changjin” is currently China’s second highest-grossing film in history behind local title “Wolf Warrior 2″ ($854 million), which also features star Wu Jing and a jingoistic military theme.
The former has more or less dominated the China market since its Sept.
- 10/29/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Update, writethru: There were milestones aplenty this weekend at the global and international box office with three Hollywood heavy-hitters reaching important new benchmarks. Among them, MGM/Eon/Universal’s No Time To Die crossed both $400M overseas and $500M worldwide while Sony’ Venom: Let There Be Carnage topped $350M globally. The weekend leader, however, was Warner Bros/Legendary’s Dune which began offshore rollout back in September and just spiced up its worldwide cume with an additional $47.4M overseas and, along with its domestic debut, easily crossed $200M global through Sunday, as we previously noted was poised to happen. IMAX also had its biggest global October opening ever with Dune, mounding $17.8M for an unprecedented 20.3% of the worldwide weekend total.
The Denis Villeneuve-directed Dune led offshore business for the session, taking an estimated $47.4M on 49,205 screens in 75 overseas markets. This lifts the running cume to $180.6M internationally, and to $220.7M worldwide.
The Denis Villeneuve-directed Dune led offshore business for the session, taking an estimated $47.4M on 49,205 screens in 75 overseas markets. This lifts the running cume to $180.6M internationally, and to $220.7M worldwide.
- 10/24/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Saturday Update: Denis Villeneuve’s Dune had a nice bump in China on Saturday, adding a further estimated Rmb 62M ($9.7M) for a projected two-day market cume of Rmb 101.1M ($15.84M). Although ticketing platform Maoyan has the daily box office just slightly lower, the Saturday increase regardless was upwards of 55%. As previously reported (see below), the early numbers out of the Middle Kingdom, where Legendary East handles Dune, are pointing towards a $20M+ opening weekend.
Excluding China’s Saturday, the international box office cume through Friday on the Warner Bros/Legendary title is $150M. Coupled with domestic’s anticipated start as well as other new overseas markets and holdovers, the sci-fi epic will handily be at over $200M global through Sunday.
Dune’s social score on Maoyan in China is currently an 8. By way of comparison, the most recent major Hollywood title to release in the market, Disney/20th Century Studios’ Free Guy,...
Excluding China’s Saturday, the international box office cume through Friday on the Warner Bros/Legendary title is $150M. Coupled with domestic’s anticipated start as well as other new overseas markets and holdovers, the sci-fi epic will handily be at over $200M global through Sunday.
Dune’s social score on Maoyan in China is currently an 8. By way of comparison, the most recent major Hollywood title to release in the market, Disney/20th Century Studios’ Free Guy,...
- 10/23/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
The Battle of Lake Changjin rages on. The Chinese war epic earned $73 million over the weekend, taking its China box-office total to $768.8 million — a phenomenal sum unmatched by any Hollywood film released since the start of the pandemic.
The Battle of Lake Changjin is now China’s second-biggest movie of 2021, trailing only the Chinese New Year comedy hit Hi, Mom ($821 million). In the all-time China box office charts, the war film now ranks third, in U.S. dollar terms, behind Wolf Warrior 2 ($854 million) and Hi, Mom. Chinese ticket app Maoyan forecasts Battle of Lake Changjin to finish its ...
The Battle of Lake Changjin is now China’s second-biggest movie of 2021, trailing only the Chinese New Year comedy hit Hi, Mom ($821 million). In the all-time China box office charts, the war film now ranks third, in U.S. dollar terms, behind Wolf Warrior 2 ($854 million) and Hi, Mom. Chinese ticket app Maoyan forecasts Battle of Lake Changjin to finish its ...
- 10/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Battle of Lake Changjin rages on. The Chinese war epic earned $73 million over the weekend, taking its China box-office total to $768.8 million — a phenomenal sum unmatched by any Hollywood film released since the start of the pandemic.
The Battle of Lake Changjin is now China’s second-biggest movie of 2021, trailing only the Chinese New Year comedy hit Hi, Mom ($821 million). In the all-time China box office charts, the war film now ranks third, in U.S. dollar terms, behind Wolf Warrior 2 ($854 million) and Hi, Mom. Chinese ticket app Maoyan forecasts Battle of Lake Changjin to finish its ...
The Battle of Lake Changjin is now China’s second-biggest movie of 2021, trailing only the Chinese New Year comedy hit Hi, Mom ($821 million). In the all-time China box office charts, the war film now ranks third, in U.S. dollar terms, behind Wolf Warrior 2 ($854 million) and Hi, Mom. Chinese ticket app Maoyan forecasts Battle of Lake Changjin to finish its ...
- 10/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Strong holds added to North American debut boosted Universal and MGM’s release of 007 thriller.
Worldwide Box Office October 1-3 2021 RankFilm (Distributor) 3-day (World) Cume (World) 3-day (Int’l)Cume (Int’l) Territories 1. No Time To Die (Universal) $145.5m $313.2m $89.5m $257.2m 67 2. The Battle At Lake Changjin (various) $108.3m $632.2m $108.3m $632.2m 1 3. Venom: Let There Be Carnage (Sony) $56.8m $185.5m $24.8m $43.9m 14 4. My Country, My Parents (various) $19.6m $181.8m $19.6m $181.8m 3 5. The Addams Family 2 (Uni) $14.5m $35.7m $4.5m $4.5m 13
Credit: Comscore, all figures estimates
‘No Time To Die’ achieves strong hold in second session
Updated: A strong hold for...
Worldwide Box Office October 1-3 2021 RankFilm (Distributor) 3-day (World) Cume (World) 3-day (Int’l)Cume (Int’l) Territories 1. No Time To Die (Universal) $145.5m $313.2m $89.5m $257.2m 67 2. The Battle At Lake Changjin (various) $108.3m $632.2m $108.3m $632.2m 1 3. Venom: Let There Be Carnage (Sony) $56.8m $185.5m $24.8m $43.9m 14 4. My Country, My Parents (various) $19.6m $181.8m $19.6m $181.8m 3 5. The Addams Family 2 (Uni) $14.5m $35.7m $4.5m $4.5m 13
Credit: Comscore, all figures estimates
‘No Time To Die’ achieves strong hold in second session
Updated: A strong hold for...
- 10/11/2021
- by Charles Gant
- ScreenDaily
Maoyan forecasts the patriotic blockbuster will end up on $828.6m making it the highest-grossing film globally in 2021
Patriotic blockbuster The Battle At Lake Changjin grossed a further $108.5m over the weekend (October 8-10), according to figures from Artisan Gateway, to reach a cumulative total of $633.2m, making it the fourth highest-grossing film worldwide in 2021. The film opened on September 30 to coincide with China’s National Day holidays, which ended on Thursday (October 7).
According to Box Office Mojo’s worldwide chart, the film has sailed past Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, currently on $401.6m without a China release,...
Patriotic blockbuster The Battle At Lake Changjin grossed a further $108.5m over the weekend (October 8-10), according to figures from Artisan Gateway, to reach a cumulative total of $633.2m, making it the fourth highest-grossing film worldwide in 2021. The film opened on September 30 to coincide with China’s National Day holidays, which ended on Thursday (October 7).
According to Box Office Mojo’s worldwide chart, the film has sailed past Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, currently on $401.6m without a China release,...
- 10/11/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
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