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Happy birthday Chen Shu
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Liu Shishi poses for fashion magazine
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Street shots of Fan Bingbing in Paris
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Taking a new role
(China Daily) For Feng Yuanzheng, the character of An Jiahe he played in the 2001 series Don't Respond to Strangers used to define him. But he now has bigger responsibilities. Wang Kaihao reports.
At a meeting during the first session of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee in Beijing, one of the members said: "My name is Feng Yuanzheng. I'm an actor from Beijing People's Art Theatre."
Then, one of the other members at the session responded jokingly: "We all know you. You don't have to introduce yourself."
But Feng continued, saying: "Well, then I'd better introduce myself again. Even today, many people still call me An Jiahe."
An Jiahe is a character he played in the 2001 series Don't Respond to Strangers.
The character, one of the best-known villains in the history of Chinese TV, is a surgeon, who beats his wife, and he has almost become a synonym for domestic violence in China.
"It is a role that deeply rooted in people's hearts," says Feng, 56, a member of the 13th CPPCC National Committee. "So, I suppose that qualifies as success."
Even now, his picture is often used when domestic violence cases are reported on TV. And, it is generally accepted that the TV series contributed to the passing of China's Anti-Domestic Violence Law in 2015.
Speaking about domestic violence, he says: "People did not realize how serious domestic violence was," he says. "So, in a way, I became a campaigner against it."
Feng is a veteran actor from the Beijing People's Art Theatre, but TV series and films also comprise a part of his career.
On stage, he is best known by history buffs for his role as Sima Qian, a great Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) historian, in a play of the same title.
Separately, his role in the 2012 romance Returning Home on a Snowy Night also brought him fame.
Feng, who is picky when it comes to choosing scripts, says: "I'm an actor, not a celebrity. So, I need good works, not public topics."
Meanwhile, in spite of his rich experience, Feng says his new role as one of the country's top political advisers needs different skills.
But he has ideas on how the country's cultural sector can progress.
For instance, he has called for modifying guidelines for the use of the China National Arts Fund - which supports high-quality arts programs - in his proposal to the conference.
Explaining his proposal he says: "Currently, the time given to use the funds is too short."
He says that the funding should be better scheduled, and profits earned from the programs should be put back into the fund.
"Also, the fund should be used to preserve endangered art forms like local opera genres," he says.
Separately, the actor says he is glad to see public interest in high-end culture growing in recent years.
"Earlier, people used to host a banquet or go to a karaoke bar for entertainment," he says. "But now, they often focus on the arts and cultural performances."
According to him, the attendance levels at recent shows staged by the Beijing People's Art Theatre is typically more than 90 percent.
"During the Spring Festival holiday, when we expected the audience numbers to be low, we were pleasantly surprised," he says.
In the past few years, Feng has been among the performers from the Beijing People's Art Theatre who have delivered nonprofit lectures on stage drama for the public, especially in elementary and high schools.
"The purpose of these lectures is to nurture our next-generation audience," he says. "And, some of them may even develop an interest in a career on the stage."
Speaking about finding new blood for his troupe, he says it is urgent that they train more young actors.
"Our generation will soon retire," he says. "So, we train young people through more practice. And we get them to regularly read scripts aloud in public, as a common complaint we hear about young actors is that they cannot deliver their lines well."
He also says that the revival of stage dramas will help the TV and film industries improve.
"The value of veteran performers is now being emphasized by audiences," says Feng.
"People are bored by screens filled with 'fresh meat'," he says.
In China, "fresh meat" is often used to describe actors with pretty faces and poor performing skills.
Feng, who studied acting in Germany from 1989 to 1991, is a big fan of global cultural links.
And, he insists on taking original productions abroad without modifying them.
"A stage classic has to be showcased just as it is, no matter where it goes or whether there is language barrier," he says.
"It's to respect overseas audiences who knows art well."
In a related development, he says that Sima Qian will be performed in Russia later this year.
Speaking about how to promote Chinese productions abroad, he says: "History-based productions which showcase our traditional costumes, rituals and architecture interest overseas audiences. But we still need time to figure out how to make our dramas which reflect modern Chinese life become more widely accepted."
Besides performances, Feng feels academic exchanges between Chinese stage actors and their overseas counterparts should be enhanced.
After the interview which was conducted during a break in the conference proceedings, Feng returned to his seat to focus on the other members' speeches.
And he took notes "to record good ideas" as he puts it.
Feng once served as a legislator for the Dongcheng district of Beijing.
And he recalls that he then used to mainly focus on the specific concerns of the local community.
"However, I need to have a much bigger focus now," he says.
Hopefully, he can make a bigger difference for the country than he did as An Jiahe.
Source: By Wang Kaihao | China Daily
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Chinese folklore inspire Hollywood filmmakers
(Xinhua) A group of Hollywood filmmakers will visit the birthplace of a legendary Chinese folklore heroine next week in China's Hubei Province to draw inspiration for their work.
Dubbed the "Hollywood Masters' China Trip," Tony Bancroft, director of the 1998 Disney's animated film Mulan, and Raymond Singer, screen writer of the film are among the filmmakers heading to Huangpi District in Wuhan City, the birth place of Mulan in ancient China.
They will participate in various cultural activities and exchange ideas with local students as well as officials, according to the tour organizer U.S.-Asia Innovation Gateway, a Silicon Valley-based organization aimed at advancing economic and cultural opportunities between the United States and Asia.
"Art has no borders. No matter what background and skin color you have, truth, kindness and beauty are things that people yearn for in their hearts," said Stephanie Xu, said the organization's president ahead of the trip.
"It's our hope that (Hollywood filmmakers) can better understand China's rich history and culture through such trips," she said. "We sincerely look forward to bringing more Hollywood friends to discover China's rich culture and to make more movies and media related projects."
Last year, the organization launched two "Hollywood masters' trips" to China. The participants visited Chinese film studios and met with Chinese filmmakers and investors.
Westerners can resonate with Chinese folklore because at its core it reflects common values, said Bancroft using Mulan's story as an example.
"It's about a daughter's respect for her family and especially her father. She loves her father so much that she's willing to sacrifice her own life for him," he said. "For western audiences that is a very appealing dramatic story to start with. Then it also has a lot of comic fun to it that adds to the appeal of the story."
Source: Xinhua
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Lan Yingying poses for photo shoot
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Li Yitong and Qu Chuxiao pose for fashion magazine
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Yang Zishan poses for photo shoot
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Li Bingbing poses for phot shoot
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‘Black Panther’ Surpasses $1 Billion in Sales After China Debut
(Bloomberg) Walt Disney Co.’s “Black Panther” has collected more than $1 billion at cinemas worldwide, making it the company’s 16th movie to reach that milestone.
The Marvel superhero film, which has been setting sales records, broke into 10 figures after a strong debut in China on Friday. Its $521 million in U.S. sales puts it among the 10 highest-grossing releases domestically, and international sales are expected to surpass $500 million this weekend, Disney said in an emailed statement.
The first blockbuster with a black superhero in the leading role, “Black Panther” has become a symbol for promoting diversity in the movie industry. African-Americans have been drawn to the big screen debut of an African protagonist and a story line that tackles race and colonization. Issues like inclusion and sexual harassment in the entertainment industry were also in the spotlight March 4 at the Academy Awards in Hollywood.
China, the largest movie market after the U.S., has become a lucrative outpost for Disney and Marvel. “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” a 2015 release, pulled in sales of $240 million there, while the 2016 hit “Captain America: Civil War” produced $181 million.
Heading into the weekend, “Black Panther” had tallied $940.3 million in worldwide sales since opening in the U.S. on Feb. 16.
Source: Bloomberg By Anders Melin
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Films you don't want to miss in March
After experiencing an explosive growth in sales in February, the Chinese film industry continues to gain momentum in March.
Compared with February’s focus on comedies, Chinese moviegoers have more room to choose their favorite genres this month. Comedy, romance, animation, crime, documentary and live-action films all hit the big screen in March.
Faced with so many choices, what should you watch? Here are some recommendations for movies worth seeing this month.
One patriotic documentary
Co-produced by China Film and China Central Television, a documentary recording China's achievements over the last five years has become the country's second highest-grossing documentary ever.
Named Amazing China, the film introduces the major developments China has made since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, including the world's largest radio telescope FAST, the world's largest maritime drilling rig Blue Whale 2, and the development of 5G mobile technology.
Since its March 2 debut nationwide, the 90-minute documentary has already achieved box office earnings of 192 million yuan ($30.27 million), according to Maoyan, China's key big data website on the film industry.
From the Chinese blockbuster War Wolf 2 to Operation Red Sea to the latest Amazing China, Chinese patriotic movies have captured the hearts of many viewers.
Two Oscar-winning films
The recent 90th Academy Awards might have left some fans of two mega-hit films -- The Shape of Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri– feeling disappointed, given they enjoyed few wins relative to the many Oscar nominations each received.
Still, The Shape of Water, was the biggest winner that night, raking in four Oscars, including Best Production Design and Best Score as well as the Academy’s highest accolades of Best Director and Best Picture.
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the fantasy drama concerns a mute janitor employed by a secret government laboratory who becomes enamored with an amphibious human-like creature.
The Shape of Water, which will show in Chinese theaters starting March 16, has won praise for its performances, screenplay, direction, visuals, production design, and background music.
Despite missing out on the Best Picture award, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which debuted March 2 at Chinese cinemas, has received many positive reviews in Douban, China's leading film rating platform.
It scored 8.7 out of 10 points, based on more than 100,000 moviegoer reviews.
Two worthwhile imported films
It goes without saying that Indian films have successfully captured the Chinese film market in recent times. From Dangal to Secret Superstar to the latest comedy-drama film Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Indian films have developed a solid fan base in China.
By attaching importance to themes such as never giving up, chasing dreams and being yourself, Indian films have precisely reflected the universal values the world longs for.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan stars Salman Khan and Harshaali Malhotra and talks about Bajrangi, an ardent devotee of the Hindu deity Hanuman, who attempts to take a 6-year-old Pakistani Muslim girl home after she gets lost in India.
The Japanese comedy Mix arrives in Chinese cinemas March 9. The lead role played by actress Yui Aragaki will be one of the main reasons for Chinese moviegoers to purchase tickets, as the actress enjoys tremendous online popularity in China.
Three traditional Hollywood blockbusters
If you are especially fond of Hollywood superheroes, then March is definitely a golden period for you, as you’ll discover a feast for the eyes in any of these three films: Marvel Studios' latest superhero movie Black Panther, the science-fiction action film Pacific Rim: Uprising and the action-adventure film Tom Raider.
Visual effects, an all-star lineup and word-of-mouth influence represent the trump cards Hollywood filmmakers play in the fight for box-office returns, and they often work well in China.
It is worthwhile to note that Chinese film stars Jing Tian and Daniel Wu both play a leading role in the films and their participation may help boost the popularity in China.
Hollywood big-budget action films may also continue to accelerate the box office boom in China.
A scene from the film Amazing China
A scene from the film The Shape of Water
A scene from the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
A scene from the film Bajrangi Bhaijaan
A scene from the film Mix
Scenes from the film Pacific Rim: Uprising
A scene from the film Black Panther
A scene from the film Tom Raider
Source: By Zhang Xingjian | chinadaily.com.cn
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Ma Yili poses for photo shoot
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Li Xiaoran poses for photo shoot
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Actor Huang Bo poses for fashion magazine
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Xi Mengyao poses for fashion magazine
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Enlight Media transfers New Classics Media stake to Tencent
(China Daily) China's entertainment firm Beijing Enlight Media Co transferred its 27.64 percent stake in TV content and film producer New Classics Media to Tencent affiliate Linzhi Tencent Technology Co Ltd at a price of 3.3 billion yuan, the company announced Sunday, according to a report by finance.sina.com.cn.
Enlight Media, listed on China's ChiNext Board, a Nasdaq-style index tailored for growth enterprises, had been New Classics Media's second-largest shareholders since it paid 829 million yuan to acquire a stake of 27.64 percent of the company in 2013.
Through this transaction, all of Enlight Media's equity in New Classics Media was transferred to Linzhi Tencent, which made Linzhi Tencent one of the company's largest shareholders, second only to Cao Yihua, founder of the company.
New Classics Media, established in 2007 with a register capital of 165 million yuan, has produced many high-profile Chinese TV series and blockbuster movies, such as The First Half of My Life, WuKong, Monk Comes Down the Mountain, Hot Mon, and Tiger Mom.
Last year, the Chinese comedy Never Say Die it co-produced won great box office success by bringing in an impressive 2.2 billion yuan.
With total assets of 4.16 billion yuan and net assets of 1.25 billion yuan as of Dec 31, it posted a robust full-year revenue of 1.67 billion yuan and a net profit of 349 million yuan last year, achieving a growth of more than 100 percent in revenue and net profit from 2016.
Though it planned for an initial public offering in 2012, New Classics Media has not yet been listed in China's A-share market. At the end of June last year, it applied for an IPO for the third time, after withdrawing its IPO application for a second time last May.
According to a report by National Business Daily, Cao said the company may not consider applying for an IPO in the future.
Source: By Zhu Lingqing | chinadaily.com.cn
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Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Rampage’ Sets China Theatrical Release
(Variety) Dwayne Johnson-starring “Rampage” is set to get a theatrical release in mainland China on April 13. That sets it as a day-and-date release coordinated with outings in most other territories.
The news was announced on Sunday by Johnson on his personal Twitter and Instagram feeds. They included a nearly two-minute video from the ebullient star.
“Ni Hao. Obviously your boy is still working on perfecting his Mandarin, but I’m excited to be the first to share the BIG NEWS that our movie RAMPAGE is coming to your theaters APRIL13,” Johnson said on Twitter.
Directed by Brad Peyton and produced through New Line Cinema, the film has its first commercial release in the U.K. on April 11, with further releases in Europe a day later. North America releases the film April 13, but given the significant time differences, the Chinese debut will actually be half a day ahead of the stateside outing. As a revenue-sharing import, its release in China will likely be handled through state-backed distributors.
Johnson is a big draw in China – as elsewhere – and was star of “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” the top-scoring Hollywood film this year in the Middle Kingdom.
With a plot involving giant mutating apes on a destructive tear, the film features the kind of destructive action that Chinese audiences have often warmed to. Co-stars include Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Will Yun Lee, Malin Akerman and Naomie Harris.
Source: Variety by Patrick Frater
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'Amazing China' most cited movie at China's two sessions
(Xinhua) A documentary about China's achievements over the last five years has become the movie most cited by China's ministers at the ongoing annual sessions of China's national legislature and top political advisory body.
The 90-minute movie, "Amazing China," was cited by at least three minister-level officials at press conferences held on the sidelines of the "two sessions."
Wan Gang, the minister of science and technology, said he was deeply touched by "Amazing China," as "innovation in science and technology has played a vital part in supporting the developments of the bridges, roads, ports and Internet, as told in the movie."
At a press conference held Saturday, Wan said China would enhance its strength in science and technology in the coming years to create more opportunities for itself and the world.
Xiao Yaqing, head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, also cited the movie to applaud construction achievements of major projects.
"In the past year, China has made progress in infrastructure development. I do not know if you all have watched the movie 'Amazing China,' but the bridges, roads and ports in the documentary were all built by state-owned enterprises," Xiao told a press conference Saturday.
Xiao said China welcomes foreign enterprises to participate in mixed-ownership reform of state-owned enterprises, which diversifies the ownership structure of SOEs and is considered an important part of SOE development.
He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, told reporters Tuesday that he wanted to use the name of the movie to describe China's achievements in the economic reforms.
"China would be more open to the world economy, through efforts such as hosting a China International Import Expo," he said, adding that China' s foreign trade will grow steadily and support 8 to 9 percent of the total economic growth.
"Amazing China" introduces many of the major developments the country has made since 2012, including the world's largest radio telescope FAST, the world's largest maritime drilling rig Blue Whale 2, and the development of 5G mobile technology.
Rated 9.6 out of 10 by viewers on Maoyan, a major Chinese film database and ticketing platform, the film's box office is expected to exceed 238 million yuan (about 37.6 million U.S. dollars).
Source: Xinhua
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‘Black Panther’ China Debut Takes In $66.5 Million in Sales
(Bloomberg) “Black Panther,” Walt Disney Co.’s latest hit Marvel superhero film, opened in China with estimated weekend revenue of $66.5 million, the studio said, helping the picture push past the $1 billion mark in sales globally.
“Black Panther” also took in $41.1 million at U.S. and Canadian theaters, Disney said Sunday in an email, marking its fourth weekend as No. 1 in the domestic market. The picture beat the $39.3 million forecast from analysts at Box Office Pro. “A Wrinkle in Time,” a new live-action fantasy release from Disney, opened with North American weekend sales of $33.3 million to place second.
China has become a lucrative outpost for Disney and Marvel as the brand caught on with filmgoers in the second-largest movie market. “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” a 2015 release, pulled in sales of $240 million there, while the 2016 hit “Captain America: Civil War” produced $181 million.
“Black Panther” will probably gross 736 million yuan ($116 million) in China, ticketing data app Maoyan forecast as of Monday, an estimate that’s likely to be adjusted as more results come in.
Among Marvel hits in China, the film’s opening also trailed behind “Age of Ultron,” and “Civil War,” while surpassing “Iron Man 3" and “Thor: Ragnarok,” according to boxofficemojo.com.
“Black Panther” has generated a cumulative total of $562 million in domestic sales, making it the seventh-ranked release of all time, Disney said. Global box office receipts reached $1.08 billion, ComScore Inc. said Sunday in an email.
“A Wrinkle in Time” stars Storm Reid as a young girl seeking her missing scientist father in a fantasy-space adventure. Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling co-star. Analysts at Box Office Pro were forecasting $33.5 million in weekend revenue for the film.
The movie is based on the award-winning 1962 novel by Madeleine L’Engle and was directed by Ava DuVernay, who also made “Selma.” With a budget exceeding $100 million, according to a tweet from DuVernay, the picture marks the biggest directing assignment for an African-American woman. It received positive reviews from 41 percent of top critics, according to RottenTomatoes.com.
Also opening this weekend was “Strangers: Prey at Night,” from Aviron Pictures, which landed in third place with domestic revenue of $10.5 million, according to ComScore. In the film, a family staying in a secluded mobile-home park is set upon by three masked psychopaths. Just 21 percent of top critics like the film, which was expected to produce $8 million in weekend sales.
“The Hurricane Heist,” from Entertainment Studios, opened with weekend sales of $3.2 million, missing forecasts of $5 million. Toby Kebbell and Maggie Grace star in the film about thieves attempting to loot a U.S. Treasury facility as a big storm bears down.
Source: Bloomberg By Rob Golum
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Actress Jiang Wenli poses for fashion magazine
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