Hot on the heels of his Un Certain Regard prize win at last year’s Cannes for “Black Dog,” acclaimed Chinese director Guan Hu is set to unveil his latest project at this year’s Cannes Film Market.
The Seventh Art Pictures will handle international sales for “Dong Ji Island,” an $80 million war epic based on true events from World War II. Co-directed by Guan and his longtime assistant director Fei Zhenxiang, the film follows the harrowing rescue mission of local islanders who brave treacherous seas and Japanese forces to save British prisoners of war trapped on a sinking Japanese warship mistakenly attacked near China’s easternmost waters.
The film is based on the sinking of Japanese ship “Lisbon Maru,” which was also the subject of documentary “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,” which was China’s entry to the Oscars’ international category.
The production boasts an A-list Chinese cast including Zhu Yilong,...
The Seventh Art Pictures will handle international sales for “Dong Ji Island,” an $80 million war epic based on true events from World War II. Co-directed by Guan and his longtime assistant director Fei Zhenxiang, the film follows the harrowing rescue mission of local islanders who brave treacherous seas and Japanese forces to save British prisoners of war trapped on a sinking Japanese warship mistakenly attacked near China’s easternmost waters.
The film is based on the sinking of Japanese ship “Lisbon Maru,” which was also the subject of documentary “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,” which was China’s entry to the Oscars’ international category.
The production boasts an A-list Chinese cast including Zhu Yilong,...
- 5/10/2025
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
China’s Seventh Art Pictures is launching sales in Cannes on $80M war epic Dong Ji Island, directed by Guan Hu, who won the Un Certain Regard prize in Cannes last year for Black Dog.
The film is co-directed by Fei Zhenxiang and stars Zhu Yilong (Lighting Up The Stars), Wu Lei and Ni Ni. Zhu Yilong’s credits also incude Wei Shujun’s Only The River Flows, which was selected for Cannes Un Certain Regard in 2023.
Fei has worked as Guan Hu’s assistant director since Mr Six and also directed some of the most popular Chinese TV series in recent years, including Love Like The Galaxy (2022).
Based on real events during the Second World War, Dong Ji Island follows the tragic tale of a Japanese warship secretly transporting British prisoners of war and mistakenly...
The film is co-directed by Fei Zhenxiang and stars Zhu Yilong (Lighting Up The Stars), Wu Lei and Ni Ni. Zhu Yilong’s credits also incude Wei Shujun’s Only The River Flows, which was selected for Cannes Un Certain Regard in 2023.
Fei has worked as Guan Hu’s assistant director since Mr Six and also directed some of the most popular Chinese TV series in recent years, including Love Like The Galaxy (2022).
Based on real events during the Second World War, Dong Ji Island follows the tragic tale of a Japanese warship secretly transporting British prisoners of war and mistakenly...
- 5/9/2025
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Home to the world’s largest movie and drama production complexes, China has been shocking the world with its unexpected filmography for a long period of time. Whether it is the realm of action or comedy, Chinese films and dramas have found a separate fan base for themselves, whether it be in the United States of America or anywhere else in the world.
Especially in recent years, Chinese films in genres like drama, comedy, and animated films have particularly received a growing interest from moviegoers across the world. With continuous innovation and progress in the field of technology, including the application of IMAX, 3D, 4D, and other media technologies, Chinese films have received a further boost, attracting viewers of all ages and places with their immersive storytelling and effects.
A still from Nezha (2019) | Credit: Beijing Enlight Pictures
So while films like Lighting up the Stars, Upstream, Caught by the Tides,...
Especially in recent years, Chinese films in genres like drama, comedy, and animated films have particularly received a growing interest from moviegoers across the world. With continuous innovation and progress in the field of technology, including the application of IMAX, 3D, 4D, and other media technologies, Chinese films have received a further boost, attracting viewers of all ages and places with their immersive storytelling and effects.
A still from Nezha (2019) | Credit: Beijing Enlight Pictures
So while films like Lighting up the Stars, Upstream, Caught by the Tides,...
- 3/24/2025
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
China producer-distributor Lian Ray Pictures is launching sales on a raft of diverse titles that are set for release this year, including works by directors Han Yan and Feng Xiaogang and with stars Zhao Liying and Zhang Zifeng.
Set for a release on July 5, Han’s sci-fi action adventure Per Aspera Ad Astra revolves around a virtual dream system that allows users to create their own dreams, with rising stars Dylan Wang and Victoria Song in the cast along with veteran Zu Feng. Director Han is known for 2020’s A Little Red Flower.
Starring Zhao Liying (Article 20), female-led social drama...
Set for a release on July 5, Han’s sci-fi action adventure Per Aspera Ad Astra revolves around a virtual dream system that allows users to create their own dreams, with rising stars Dylan Wang and Victoria Song in the cast along with veteran Zu Feng. Director Han is known for 2020’s A Little Red Flower.
Starring Zhao Liying (Article 20), female-led social drama...
- 3/16/2025
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: New York-based arthouse distributor KimStim has acquired all North American rights to Wei Shujun’s Cannes Un Certain Regard title, Only The River Flows. Paris-based MK2 Films is handling international sales on the film.
The Chinese noir thriller has recently been a big hit at the Chinese box office, grossing $43M (RMB309.5M), an exceptional number for an independent film in that market.
Following its Cannes premiere, the film has screened in 33 international film festivals, including London (BFI), Busan, Chicago and Vancouver. It received its China premiere at Pingyo International Film Festival, where it won best film in the festival’s Fei Mu Awards.
Based on Yu Hua’s popular short novel Mistakes By The River, the film is set in a small town in 1990s China where the chief of police is heading an investigation after a woman’s body washes up in the local river.
Zhu Yilong,...
The Chinese noir thriller has recently been a big hit at the Chinese box office, grossing $43M (RMB309.5M), an exceptional number for an independent film in that market.
Following its Cannes premiere, the film has screened in 33 international film festivals, including London (BFI), Busan, Chicago and Vancouver. It received its China premiere at Pingyo International Film Festival, where it won best film in the festival’s Fei Mu Awards.
Based on Yu Hua’s popular short novel Mistakes By The River, the film is set in a small town in 1990s China where the chief of police is heading an investigation after a woman’s body washes up in the local river.
Zhu Yilong,...
- 12/14/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Lost In The Stars’ proved the top grossing film in June.
China’s box office jumped 52.9% in the first six months of 2023 with ticket sales of $3.7bn (RMB26.3bn), marking the first such year-on-year increase since the Covid-19 pandemic.
It does not mark a complete recovery as the figures remain 15.7% down on the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. But robust growth was seen in June with takings of $581.8m (Rmb 4.13bn), up 115% on 2022 and down a mere 0.8% on 2019. The results almost equalled pre-pandemic levels for the first time, according to data provided by Artisan Gateway.
The top grossing film in June was Lost In The Stars,...
China’s box office jumped 52.9% in the first six months of 2023 with ticket sales of $3.7bn (RMB26.3bn), marking the first such year-on-year increase since the Covid-19 pandemic.
It does not mark a complete recovery as the figures remain 15.7% down on the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. But robust growth was seen in June with takings of $581.8m (Rmb 4.13bn), up 115% on 2022 and down a mere 0.8% on 2019. The results almost equalled pre-pandemic levels for the first time, according to data provided by Artisan Gateway.
The top grossing film in June was Lost In The Stars,...
- 7/4/2023
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
‘Lost In The Stars’ proved the top grossing film in June.
China’s box office jumped 52.9% in the first six months of 2023 with ticket sales of $3.7bn (RMB26.3bn), marking the first such year-on-year increase since the Covid-19 pandemic.
It does not mark a complete recovery as the figures remain 15.7% down on the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. But robust growth was seen in June with takings of $581.8m (Rmb 4.13bn), up 115% on 2022 and down a mere 0.8% on 2019. The results almost equalled pre-pandemic levels for the first time, according to data provided by Artisan Gateway.
The top grossing film in June was Lost In The Stars,...
China’s box office jumped 52.9% in the first six months of 2023 with ticket sales of $3.7bn (RMB26.3bn), marking the first such year-on-year increase since the Covid-19 pandemic.
It does not mark a complete recovery as the figures remain 15.7% down on the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. But robust growth was seen in June with takings of $581.8m (Rmb 4.13bn), up 115% on 2022 and down a mere 0.8% on 2019. The results almost equalled pre-pandemic levels for the first time, according to data provided by Artisan Gateway.
The top grossing film in June was Lost In The Stars,...
- 7/4/2023
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Chinese director Wei Shujun has just premiered his third film, neo-noir thriller Only The River Flows, in Cannes Un Certain Regard to positive reviews.
While he’s now had three features selected for the festival, this is the first time he’s been able to walk the red carpet in person, at least with a full-length film.
His debut, semi-autobiographical drama Striding Into The Wind, was selected in 2020, the year that Cannes didn’t take place but still presented an Official Selection. His sophomore work, Ripples Of Life, premiered in Directors Fortnight in 2021, but he was unable to fly to Cannes due to Covid travel restrictions.
However, he’s been to Cannes in person before, with his 2018 short film On the Border, which won a Special Jury Award. He says that watching the Dardenne Brothers’ Palme d’Or winner Rosetta in 2016 (a few decades after it was made in 1999) was...
While he’s now had three features selected for the festival, this is the first time he’s been able to walk the red carpet in person, at least with a full-length film.
His debut, semi-autobiographical drama Striding Into The Wind, was selected in 2020, the year that Cannes didn’t take place but still presented an Official Selection. His sophomore work, Ripples Of Life, premiered in Directors Fortnight in 2021, but he was unable to fly to Cannes due to Covid travel restrictions.
However, he’s been to Cannes in person before, with his 2018 short film On the Border, which won a Special Jury Award. He says that watching the Dardenne Brothers’ Palme d’Or winner Rosetta in 2016 (a few decades after it was made in 1999) was...
- 5/23/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcoming In 2023: The Year Of The Rabbit
New Chinese Family Movies Stream For Free In The U.S. & Canada
January 22- February 5, 2023
Chicago, Il – In honor of the Lunar Calendar’s Chinese New Year Celebration of 2023, Asian Pop-Up Cinema continues to present an excellent free streaming movie series for U.S. and Canadian viewers to enjoy.
Focused on family films, this series begins on the first day of the new year and end on the 15th day, the first full moon between January 22 and February 5, 2023. Sponsored by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago, and in partnership with China Lion Films Distributions, and Smart Cinema USA the online program brings some popular Chinese films to audiences in North America.
Films include two North American premieres So Long Summer Vacation, an only child’s perspective about being left alone at home while both parents work, and...
New Chinese Family Movies Stream For Free In The U.S. & Canada
January 22- February 5, 2023
Chicago, Il – In honor of the Lunar Calendar’s Chinese New Year Celebration of 2023, Asian Pop-Up Cinema continues to present an excellent free streaming movie series for U.S. and Canadian viewers to enjoy.
Focused on family films, this series begins on the first day of the new year and end on the 15th day, the first full moon between January 22 and February 5, 2023. Sponsored by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago, and in partnership with China Lion Films Distributions, and Smart Cinema USA the online program brings some popular Chinese films to audiences in North America.
Films include two North American premieres So Long Summer Vacation, an only child’s perspective about being left alone at home while both parents work, and...
- 1/23/2023
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
After an unexpectedly robust summer at the international box office, there is a near-term question mark about what will happen next: Will recovery stall due to a paucity of Hollywood tentpole movies? Or will international theatrical decouple and find new drivers to maintain the momentum?
The good news is that most of the international market’s top territories are now fully open and operating without significant restrictions on seating capacity. These include the U.K. and Ireland, Japan, France, Germany, Spain, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Brazil. The smaller number of territories still laboring under restrictions nevertheless include some valuable ones: China, Turkey, Argentina, Hong Kong and Russia.
Hollywood movies that have driven the recent international recovery include “Jurassic World Dominion” (611 million internationally); “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (486 million); “Thor: Love and Thunder” (405 million); and “Elvis” (126 million).
“Top Gun: Maverick,” with 1.4 billion worldwide to date, including 720 million internationally,...
The good news is that most of the international market’s top territories are now fully open and operating without significant restrictions on seating capacity. These include the U.K. and Ireland, Japan, France, Germany, Spain, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Brazil. The smaller number of territories still laboring under restrictions nevertheless include some valuable ones: China, Turkey, Argentina, Hong Kong and Russia.
Hollywood movies that have driven the recent international recovery include “Jurassic World Dominion” (611 million internationally); “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (486 million); “Thor: Love and Thunder” (405 million); and “Elvis” (126 million).
“Top Gun: Maverick,” with 1.4 billion worldwide to date, including 720 million internationally,...
- 9/2/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy and Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Universal/Illumination’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru bowed in China today (Friday), grossing an estimated Rmb 21.74M (3.2M), including midnights. This was good for the biggest opening day of a Hollywood animated film during the pandemic.
Overall, and not including China’s Friday, Rise Of Gru has grossed 461.2M at the international box office for 807.7M worldwide.
The origins story from director Kyle Balda and co-directors Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val, saw its first day in China land above The Croods: A New Age’s Rmb 19.7M from November 27, 2020 as well as other studio toons released in the intervening time.
On Friday, Rise Of Gru ranked No. 3 in the daily chart behind local animated newcomer Yang Jian (New Gods) and the continued play of local blockbuster Moon Man.
In the early hours of Saturday locally, Rise Of Gru is on the rise, ahead of Moon Man for the day,...
Overall, and not including China’s Friday, Rise Of Gru has grossed 461.2M at the international box office for 807.7M worldwide.
The origins story from director Kyle Balda and co-directors Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val, saw its first day in China land above The Croods: A New Age’s Rmb 19.7M from November 27, 2020 as well as other studio toons released in the intervening time.
On Friday, Rise Of Gru ranked No. 3 in the daily chart behind local animated newcomer Yang Jian (New Gods) and the continued play of local blockbuster Moon Man.
In the early hours of Saturday locally, Rise Of Gru is on the rise, ahead of Moon Man for the day,...
- 8/19/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
China’s Bona Film Group, producer of such hits as The Battle At Lake Changjin, made its debut on the Shenzhen stock exchange on Thursday, with shares closing the day at Rmb 7.24 (1.07). This was a 44 increase from the initial public offering price of Rmb 5.03 (0.74) per share and put the market capitalization at just under Rmb 10B (1.47B), according to the South China Morning Post. The company raised Rmb 1.38B (203M) from the deal.
Bona returned to the China exchange after exiting the Nasdaq and going private in 2016. It had previously become the first Chinese film studio to trade on the Nasdaq beginning in 2010.
During the pandemic, Bona was behind China’s top-grossing movie ever, The Battle At Lake Changjin and its sequel, The Battle At Lake Changjin II (aka Water Gate Bridge). Collectively, the patriotic films grossed Rmb 9.83B (1.45B at current rates) in China.
In an interview posted to...
Bona returned to the China exchange after exiting the Nasdaq and going private in 2016. It had previously become the first Chinese film studio to trade on the Nasdaq beginning in 2010.
During the pandemic, Bona was behind China’s top-grossing movie ever, The Battle At Lake Changjin and its sequel, The Battle At Lake Changjin II (aka Water Gate Bridge). Collectively, the patriotic films grossed Rmb 9.83B (1.45B at current rates) in China.
In an interview posted to...
- 8/18/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Chinese sci-fi comedy “Moon Man” held station at the top of the mainland China box office, albeit at a lower orbit. After ten days in cinemas its cumulative total is a fraction of a degree short of 300 million, and it operated at a higher elevation than new launch sci-fi actioner “Warriors of Future.”
The strong figures came despite some cinemas remaining closed in key cities and capacity limitations remaining in place in others. Hainan Island went into lockdown over the weekend as a cluster of Covid cases emerged. Consultancy, Artisan Gateway calculates that the weekend haul of 91.8 million propels the nationwide year to date box office total at 3.3 billion. Its deficit compared 2021 was reduced to 30.
There were no Hollywood titles in the latest weekend top five, giving Chinese films all the kudos. This time of year is traditionally considered an unofficial blackout period or ‘Chinese film support month,’ when major...
The strong figures came despite some cinemas remaining closed in key cities and capacity limitations remaining in place in others. Hainan Island went into lockdown over the weekend as a cluster of Covid cases emerged. Consultancy, Artisan Gateway calculates that the weekend haul of 91.8 million propels the nationwide year to date box office total at 3.3 billion. Its deficit compared 2021 was reduced to 30.
There were no Hollywood titles in the latest weekend top five, giving Chinese films all the kudos. This time of year is traditionally considered an unofficial blackout period or ‘Chinese film support month,’ when major...
- 8/8/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros animation has eclipsed holdover US studio titles such as Minions: The Rise Of Gru and Thor: Love And Thunder.
World box office July 29-31
Rank
Film (distributor)
3-day (world)
Cume (world)
3-day (int’l)
Cume (int’l)
Territories
1. Moon Man (various) 129.7m 147.3m 129.7m 147.3m 1 2. DC League Of Super-Pets (Warner Bros) 41.4m 41.4m 18.4m 18.4 64 3. Minions: The Rise Of Gru (Universal) 36.2m 710.4m 25.3m 390m 80 4. Thor: Love And Thunder (Disney) 33.9m 662.4m 20.8m 360.9m 49 5. Top Gun Maverick (Paramount) 22m 1,321.1m 13.8m 671m 65 6. Nope (Universal) 18.5m 80.6m N/A N/A 1 7. Jurassic World Dominion (Universal) 15.8m 942.6m 13.7m 573.1m 87 8. Hansan: Rising Dragon...
World box office July 29-31
Rank
Film (distributor)
3-day (world)
Cume (world)
3-day (int’l)
Cume (int’l)
Territories
1. Moon Man (various) 129.7m 147.3m 129.7m 147.3m 1 2. DC League Of Super-Pets (Warner Bros) 41.4m 41.4m 18.4m 18.4 64 3. Minions: The Rise Of Gru (Universal) 36.2m 710.4m 25.3m 390m 80 4. Thor: Love And Thunder (Disney) 33.9m 662.4m 20.8m 360.9m 49 5. Top Gun Maverick (Paramount) 22m 1,321.1m 13.8m 671m 65 6. Nope (Universal) 18.5m 80.6m N/A N/A 1 7. Jurassic World Dominion (Universal) 15.8m 942.6m 13.7m 573.1m 87 8. Hansan: Rising Dragon...
- 8/1/2022
- by Charles Gant
- ScreenDaily
Sci-fi-comedy “Moon Man” rocketed to a 130 million opening weekend and helped the China box office to escape gravity.
Data from consultancy Artisan Gateway showed that the film scored a three-day gross of RMB873 million (130 million) and accounted for fully 90 of the market. Nationwide weekend theatrical business hit 144 million, the third highest weekend of the year and the highest non-holiday weekend of 2022.
The strong results came despite some cinemas remaining closed in key cities and capacity limitations remaining in place in others.
“Moon Man” 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 with credits including “Hello Mrs Money” and Goodby Mr Loser,” alongside Alibaba Pictures.
Data from consultancy Artisan Gateway showed that the film scored a three-day gross of RMB873 million (130 million) and accounted for fully 90 of the market. Nationwide weekend theatrical business hit 144 million, the third highest weekend of the year and the highest non-holiday weekend of 2022.
The strong results came despite some cinemas remaining closed in key cities and capacity limitations remaining in place in others.
“Moon Man” 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 with credits including “Hello Mrs Money” and Goodby Mr Loser,” alongside Alibaba Pictures.
- 8/1/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
A heartwarming sci-fi comedy about a Chinese astronaut who believes he’s the last human alive has revived China’s box office in spectacular fashion. Moon Man, directed by Zhang Chiyu of the hit-making comedy troop Mahua FunAge, opened to 148 million over the weekend, including pre-sales, according to data from Artisan Gateway. Local ticketing app Maoyan projects the film to earn over 640 million (Rmb 4.34 billion) before it leaves Chinese screens, which would make it the country’s sixth-biggest film of all time.
Like a more whimsical version of The Martian, Moon Man stars Shen Teng (Goodbye Mr. Loser) as a Chinese astronaut on the moon who comes to believe he’s the last human in the universe after witnessing an asteroid collide with earth. In truth, earth’s many survivors, including his dream girl (Ma Li), are watching his every move via a live-stream.
A heartwarming sci-fi comedy about a Chinese astronaut who believes he’s the last human alive has revived China’s box office in spectacular fashion. Moon Man, directed by Zhang Chiyu of the hit-making comedy troop Mahua FunAge, opened to 148 million over the weekend, including pre-sales, according to data from Artisan Gateway. Local ticketing app Maoyan projects the film to earn over 640 million (Rmb 4.34 billion) before it leaves Chinese screens, which would make it the country’s sixth-biggest film of all time.
Like a more whimsical version of The Martian, Moon Man stars Shen Teng (Goodbye Mr. Loser) as a Chinese astronaut on the moon who comes to believe he’s the last human in the universe after witnessing an asteroid collide with earth. In truth, earth’s many survivors, including his dream girl (Ma Li), are watching his every move via a live-stream.
- 8/1/2022
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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