China officially arrives back at Cannes this year intent on showcasing its hits, while promoting the opportunities for international collaborations the country’s film industry leaders are increasingly keen to explore.
There are more than 60 film companies from the nation involved at the China Film Pavilion — situated at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès and organized by the China Film Co-Production Corporation (Cfcc) under the guidance of the China Film Administration — and visitors can learn all about more than 180 Chinese films.
“We hope to promote exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign film industries through the China Film Pavilion and help Chinese films go global,” a Cfcc spokesperson says. “Through the pavilion and film as a medium, mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign filmmakers can be deepened to further foster communication and cooperation for mutual development. The China Film Pavilion will continue to explore a broader platform for Chinese and foreign film exchange.
There are more than 60 film companies from the nation involved at the China Film Pavilion — situated at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès and organized by the China Film Co-Production Corporation (Cfcc) under the guidance of the China Film Administration — and visitors can learn all about more than 180 Chinese films.
“We hope to promote exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign film industries through the China Film Pavilion and help Chinese films go global,” a Cfcc spokesperson says. “Through the pavilion and film as a medium, mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign filmmakers can be deepened to further foster communication and cooperation for mutual development. The China Film Pavilion will continue to explore a broader platform for Chinese and foreign film exchange.
- 5/16/2024
- by Mathew Scott
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
75 films from 12 countries, 228 guests of honour and 65 thousand spectators. These are all the numbers of Udine Far East Film Festival 2024. There was an increase of accredited visitors (of 24% over 2023) and the screenings at Udine's 1,200-seat Teatro Nuovo venue were always full, from 9 in the morning to midnight. This says a lot about the growing interest in Asian Cinema.
China and South Korea were the protagonists of the opening Night of Wednesday the 24th of April, with two international premieres: Yolo and Citizen of a Kind, followed by some more South Korean box office sensations, The Roundup: Punishment, 12.12: The Day and horror movie Exhuma. Some very welcome returns of festival friends were Jun Lana, with LGBT comedy of errors Becky & Badette, Norris Wong with the musical The Lyricist Wanna Be, Nick Cheung, in the director's chair, with Peg O'My Heart and Herman Yau with three actioners: Moscow Mission, Raid of...
China and South Korea were the protagonists of the opening Night of Wednesday the 24th of April, with two international premieres: Yolo and Citizen of a Kind, followed by some more South Korean box office sensations, The Roundup: Punishment, 12.12: The Day and horror movie Exhuma. Some very welcome returns of festival friends were Jun Lana, with LGBT comedy of errors Becky & Badette, Norris Wong with the musical The Lyricist Wanna Be, Nick Cheung, in the director's chair, with Peg O'My Heart and Herman Yau with three actioners: Moscow Mission, Raid of...
- 5/6/2024
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
The Opening Night on Wednesday 24 April will travel between China and South Korea with two international premieres. The task of opening the curtain will fall to “Yolo“, the film phenomenon with which Jia Ling (director and protagonist) literally smashed the box office! Then it will be the turn of “Citizen of a Kind” by director Park Young-ju, an irresistible action comedy that revolves around a single mother, unemployed and victim of a phishing scam.
Chosen by the Feff as the inaugural title of the twenty-sixth edition, “Yolo” is an international festival premiere and tells two stories: one that develops in the plot and one which spread with great force outside the screen, becoming a source of inspiration for millions of Chinese. A story which brings a strong message into the spotlight: it is never too late to change your life. It is never too late to believe in yourself and to fully exercise your willpower,...
Chosen by the Feff as the inaugural title of the twenty-sixth edition, “Yolo” is an international festival premiere and tells two stories: one that develops in the plot and one which spread with great force outside the screen, becoming a source of inspiration for millions of Chinese. A story which brings a strong message into the spotlight: it is never too late to change your life. It is never too late to believe in yourself and to fully exercise your willpower,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
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
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Apr 5-7)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Kung Fu Panda 4 (Universal) £2.8m £12.8m 2 2. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (Warner Bros) £2m £9.2m 2 3. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Sony) £1.4m £12.1m 3 4. Dune: Part Two (Warner Bros) £1.1m £36.8m 6 5. Monkey Man (Universal) £763,004 £809,767 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26
Universal animation Kung Fu Panda 4 knocked Godzilla x Kong: A New Empire off top spot at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend; as Dev Patel’s Monkey Man started in fifth place.
Kung Fu Panda 4 added £2.8m on its second weekend – a 28% drop that brings it to £12.8m. It is already...
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26
Universal animation Kung Fu Panda 4 knocked Godzilla x Kong: A New Empire off top spot at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend; as Dev Patel’s Monkey Man started in fifth place.
Kung Fu Panda 4 added £2.8m on its second weekend – a 28% drop that brings it to £12.8m. It is already...
- 4/8/2024
- ScreenDaily
Bright Sparks In Hong Kong
“Snow in Midsummer,” which quietly probes the 1969 massacre of Malaysian Chinese during post-election turmoil, was named the winner of the best film for young cinema competition (Chinese-language) at the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Liang Ming was named best director for “Carefree Days,” while the film’s female lead Lyu Xingchen collected the best actress award. Jason King won the best actor award for his performance in “A Journey in Spring.”
In the equivalent competition for non-Chinese films Gustav Moeller’s “Sons” was named the Firebird winner. Meryam Joobeur won the best director award for her “Who Do I Belong To.” The best actor award went to Vangelis Mourikis for his role in “Arcadia.” Minna Wuendrich was named best actress for her performance in “Ivo.” The jury also gave a special mention to “Pepe,” directed by Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias.
In the documentary competition,...
“Snow in Midsummer,” which quietly probes the 1969 massacre of Malaysian Chinese during post-election turmoil, was named the winner of the best film for young cinema competition (Chinese-language) at the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Liang Ming was named best director for “Carefree Days,” while the film’s female lead Lyu Xingchen collected the best actress award. Jason King won the best actor award for his performance in “A Journey in Spring.”
In the equivalent competition for non-Chinese films Gustav Moeller’s “Sons” was named the Firebird winner. Meryam Joobeur won the best director award for her “Who Do I Belong To.” The best actor award went to Vangelis Mourikis for his role in “Arcadia.” Minna Wuendrich was named best actress for her performance in “Ivo.” The jury also gave a special mention to “Pepe,” directed by Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias.
In the documentary competition,...
- 4/8/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Dev Patel’s feature directorial debut Monkey Man leads the new films at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, starting in 592 cinemas through Universal.
Directed, produced, from a story by and starring Patel, Monkey Man follows an anonymous young man who unleashes a campaign of violence against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother, and continue to systematically victimise the poor and powerless.
Filmed in early 2021, Netflix originally bought worldwide rights to Monkey Man. After Jordan Peele boarded the title as producer through his Monkeypaw Productions, Universal acquired it from Netflix earlier this year. It debuted at SXSW last month.
Directed, produced, from a story by and starring Patel, Monkey Man follows an anonymous young man who unleashes a campaign of violence against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother, and continue to systematically victimise the poor and powerless.
Filmed in early 2021, Netflix originally bought worldwide rights to Monkey Man. After Jordan Peele boarded the title as producer through his Monkeypaw Productions, Universal acquired it from Netflix earlier this year. It debuted at SXSW last month.
- 4/5/2024
- ScreenDaily
Honors were even atop the U.K. and Ireland box office as Universal’s “Kung Fu Panda 4” and Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” battled for top spot during the Easter holiday weekend.
While “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” won the three-day weekend, “Kung Fu Panda 4” had the higher gross including previews. According to numbers provided by Comscore, “Kung Fu Panda 4” collected £5 million ($6.3) million, while “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” took in £4.1 million ($5.2 million).
In third place, in its second weekend, Sony’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” collected £2.1 million for a total of £8.2 million. In its fifth weekend, in fourth place, Warner Bros.’ “Dune: Part II” grossed £1.6 million to take its total to £34 million.
Debuting at fifth place was Indian filmmaker Blessy’s acclaimed desert saga “Aadujeevitham” (“The Goat Life”), distributed by Dg Tech, with £480,977.
There were two more debuts in the top 10. Studiocanal...
While “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” won the three-day weekend, “Kung Fu Panda 4” had the higher gross including previews. According to numbers provided by Comscore, “Kung Fu Panda 4” collected £5 million ($6.3) million, while “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” took in £4.1 million ($5.2 million).
In third place, in its second weekend, Sony’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” collected £2.1 million for a total of £8.2 million. In its fifth weekend, in fourth place, Warner Bros.’ “Dune: Part II” grossed £1.6 million to take its total to £34 million.
Debuting at fifth place was Indian filmmaker Blessy’s acclaimed desert saga “Aadujeevitham” (“The Goat Life”), distributed by Dg Tech, with £480,977.
There were two more debuts in the top 10. Studiocanal...
- 4/2/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Smiling Friends, the animated comedy co-created by and starring Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, will return for a second season on Sunday, May 12, at midnight on Adult Swim.
The series follows the employees of a small company dedicated to bringing happiness to a bizarre yet colorful world.
Adult Swim continued its annual April Fools’ Day tradition this morning at midnight with the unexpected debut of three episodes of Smiling Friends re-created in various styles of puppetry.
This was followed by a surprise airing of the season two premiere episode, “Gwimbly: Definitive Remastered Enhanced Extended Edition Dx 4k (Anniversary Director’s Cut).”
Smiling Friends fans who missed out on the block can still enjoy the puppet-style season one episodes on YouTube.
In season two, Pim, Charlie, Zongo, Allan, and Glep continue their mission to bring happiness to the world, whether it’s a washed-up retro video game character, a troubled marriage,...
The series follows the employees of a small company dedicated to bringing happiness to a bizarre yet colorful world.
Adult Swim continued its annual April Fools’ Day tradition this morning at midnight with the unexpected debut of three episodes of Smiling Friends re-created in various styles of puppetry.
This was followed by a surprise airing of the season two premiere episode, “Gwimbly: Definitive Remastered Enhanced Extended Edition Dx 4k (Anniversary Director’s Cut).”
Smiling Friends fans who missed out on the block can still enjoy the puppet-style season one episodes on YouTube.
In season two, Pim, Charlie, Zongo, Allan, and Glep continue their mission to bring happiness to the world, whether it’s a washed-up retro video game character, a troubled marriage,...
- 4/1/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Asian Cinema Celebration
Veteran Chinese director Zhang Yimou will be presented with a lifetime achievement award at the upcoming edition of the Festival of Far East Film in Italy’s Udine (April 24 – May 2). The lineup will include three films by Zhang: his 2023 political thriller “Under the Light” in its competition section; as well as “To Live” and “Raise the Red Lantern” in its restored classics section.
The festival’s total lineup includes 74 films in total – 47 in competition and 28 out of competition) from 11 countries. Events will kick off with a double bill of smash hit mainland Chinese movie “Yolo” and Korean action comedy “Citizen of a Kind.”
Other highlights include “13 Bombs” by Indonesia’s Angga Dwimas Sasongko; “The Goldfinger” by Hong Kong’s Felix Chong; investigative journalism drama “In Broad Daylight,” by Hong Kong’s Lawrence Kan; Ning Hao’s “The Movie Emperor”; a ten-strong Japanese selection that includes “(Ab)normal Desire,...
Veteran Chinese director Zhang Yimou will be presented with a lifetime achievement award at the upcoming edition of the Festival of Far East Film in Italy’s Udine (April 24 – May 2). The lineup will include three films by Zhang: his 2023 political thriller “Under the Light” in its competition section; as well as “To Live” and “Raise the Red Lantern” in its restored classics section.
The festival’s total lineup includes 74 films in total – 47 in competition and 28 out of competition) from 11 countries. Events will kick off with a double bill of smash hit mainland Chinese movie “Yolo” and Korean action comedy “Citizen of a Kind.”
Other highlights include “13 Bombs” by Indonesia’s Angga Dwimas Sasongko; “The Goldfinger” by Hong Kong’s Felix Chong; investigative journalism drama “In Broad Daylight,” by Hong Kong’s Lawrence Kan; Ning Hao’s “The Movie Emperor”; a ten-strong Japanese selection that includes “(Ab)normal Desire,...
- 3/28/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Let's begin by talking about the numbers of the Far East Film Festival 26. This year the Feff community will be able to watch 75 films from 11 countries. More precisely, 15 world premieres (including those of restored classics), 24 international premieres, 19 European premieres and 13 Italian premieres. Expected in Udine from 24 April to 2 May, in the historic headquarters of the Teatro Nuovo and in the spaces of the Visionario, the Far East Film Festival 26 will give life to a 9-day long full immersion and it will colour the heart of the city with Asia (there are over 100 thematic events scheduled). A real feast of cinema.
The Opening Night on Wednesday 24 April will travel between China and South Korea with two international premieres. The task of opening the curtain will fall to “Yolo”, the blockbuster that bears the signature of famous comedy star Jia Ling (here in the double role of director and protagonist). It is...
The Opening Night on Wednesday 24 April will travel between China and South Korea with two international premieres. The task of opening the curtain will fall to “Yolo”, the blockbuster that bears the signature of famous comedy star Jia Ling (here in the double role of director and protagonist). It is...
- 3/27/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Zhang Yimou is set to receive the Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Far East Film Festival (Feff).
The auteur, a key figure in China’s Fifth Generation of filmmakers, is best known for his films Raise the Red Lantern, Red Sorghum, To Live, Hero and House of the Flying Daggers, and was also directed the memorable opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Also receiving the coveted Golden Mulberry at the 26th edition of Feff is Taiwanese producer Chiu Fu-sheng. Chiu, a legendary figure in the Asian film industry, is known for his collaborations with auteur filmmakers including Hou Hsiao-hsien, producing A City of Sadness (1989) and The Puppetmaster (1993) and Zhang, producing both Raise the Red Lantern and To Live (1994). Zhang’s 2023 film Under the Light will also compete in the main competition at Feff.
Feff, the respected Italian festival that takes place in the northern city of Udine,...
The auteur, a key figure in China’s Fifth Generation of filmmakers, is best known for his films Raise the Red Lantern, Red Sorghum, To Live, Hero and House of the Flying Daggers, and was also directed the memorable opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Also receiving the coveted Golden Mulberry at the 26th edition of Feff is Taiwanese producer Chiu Fu-sheng. Chiu, a legendary figure in the Asian film industry, is known for his collaborations with auteur filmmakers including Hou Hsiao-hsien, producing A City of Sadness (1989) and The Puppetmaster (1993) and Zhang, producing both Raise the Red Lantern and To Live (1994). Zhang’s 2023 film Under the Light will also compete in the main competition at Feff.
Feff, the respected Italian festival that takes place in the northern city of Udine,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Far East Film Festival (Feff) in Italy’s Udine has unveiled the full line-up for its 26th edition, which will honour Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou with an honorary award and world premiere restored versions of his Raise The Red Lantern and To Live.
Running April 24 to May 2, the festival will open with a double bill: Chinese box office hit Yolo and South Korean action-comedy Citizen Of A Kind.
Yolo dominated this year’s Lunar New Year releases, grossing $484m in China, and is directed by Jia Ling, who stars as an unemployed woman in her 30s whose life is...
Running April 24 to May 2, the festival will open with a double bill: Chinese box office hit Yolo and South Korean action-comedy Citizen Of A Kind.
Yolo dominated this year’s Lunar New Year releases, grossing $484m in China, and is directed by Jia Ling, who stars as an unemployed woman in her 30s whose life is...
- 3/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 had a rock ‘em sock ‘em weekend at the international box office, adding $55.3M from 69 markets for a $135M overseas running cume, and $268.2M global.
The frame for the fourquel was led by China with $25.7M including last session’s previews. The franchise has historically performed well in that mercurial market, and, along with the continued success of Warner Bros/Legendary’s Dune: Part Two there ($43.9M running China total) it’s good news for a market that has increasingly turned inward. Should hope spring? Let’s wait on that one…
More below on KFP4 and Dune 2 overall. In the meantime, the new opener this weekend was Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The Gil Kenan-directed sequel is on a staggered rollout and grossed $16.4M from its first 25 international markets.
The frame for the fourquel was led by China with $25.7M including last session’s previews. The franchise has historically performed well in that mercurial market, and, along with the continued success of Warner Bros/Legendary’s Dune: Part Two there ($43.9M running China total) it’s good news for a market that has increasingly turned inward. Should hope spring? Let’s wait on that one…
More below on KFP4 and Dune 2 overall. In the meantime, the new opener this weekend was Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The Gil Kenan-directed sequel is on a staggered rollout and grossed $16.4M from its first 25 international markets.
- 3/25/2024
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Worldwide box office March 22-24 RankFilm (distributor)3-day (world)Cume (world)3-day (int’l)Cume (int’l)Territories 1. Kung Fu Panda 4 (Universal) $72m $268.1m $55.2m $134.9m 70 2. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Sony) $61.6m $61.6m $16.4m $16.4m 26 3. Dune: Part Two (Warner Bros) $48.3m $574.3m $30.7m $341m 74 4. Immaculate (various) $7.5m $7.5m $2.2m $2.2m 23 5. The Pig, The Snake And The Pigeon (various) $6.6m $85.1m $6.6m $85.1m 1 6. Exhuma (various) $6.1m $74.9m $5.6m $74.3m 8 7. Arthur The King (various) $4.8m $15.1m $0.4m $0.5m 8 8. Imaginary (various) $4.7m $34.9m $1.9m $11.3m 44 9. Haikyu!! The Movie: Decisive Battle At The Garbage Dump (Toho) $4.1m $47m $4.1m $47m 1 10. Late Night With The Devil...
- 3/25/2024
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures has launched the official trailer for ‘Yolo’.
Le Ying (played by Jia Ling) has been staying at home for many years, doing nothing in particular. After graduating from college and working for a while, Le Ying chooses to withdraw from society, closing herself off from social circles, which she believes is the best way to “reconcile” with herself. One day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life differently. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Hao Kun (played by Lei Jia Yin). Just when she thinks life is about to take a positive turn, the challenges that follow far exceed her imagination and her vibrant life is just beginning…
Based on the original film ‘100 Yen Love’ (Hyakuen no Koi), Jia Ling directs a cast of Lei Jiayin, Zhang Xiaofei, Sha Yi, Zhao Haiyan, Zhang Qi, Xu Juncong, Bu Yu,...
Le Ying (played by Jia Ling) has been staying at home for many years, doing nothing in particular. After graduating from college and working for a while, Le Ying chooses to withdraw from society, closing herself off from social circles, which she believes is the best way to “reconcile” with herself. One day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life differently. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Hao Kun (played by Lei Jia Yin). Just when she thinks life is about to take a positive turn, the challenges that follow far exceed her imagination and her vibrant life is just beginning…
Based on the original film ‘100 Yen Love’ (Hyakuen no Koi), Jia Ling directs a cast of Lei Jiayin, Zhang Xiaofei, Sha Yi, Zhao Haiyan, Zhang Qi, Xu Juncong, Bu Yu,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Censoring Streamers
Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said that he plans to hold meetings with the Communications Ministry with a view to extending the remit of the country’s Film Censorship Board (Lpf) to video streamers. Currently, the Lpf has jurisdiction over theatrical releases, but not content carried on the internet.
Malaysia has been notable in demanding cuts – sometimes refused by rights holders – to imported and local films, especially where they touch on religion or homosexuality, even tangentially. Hollywood films “Thor” and “Lightyear” were both banned. Last year, local director Amanda Nell Eu denounced the censored cut of her prize-winning film “Tiger Stripes.”
Speaking in parliament, Saifuddin said “the Lpf will not approve the screening of any films that promote LGBTQ, communism, Islamophobia, and those conflicting Islamic beliefs.”
VFX Investment
Japanese broadcaster TBS Holdings has announced “a significant capital investment” in Megalis a Tokyo-based VFX production company...
Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said that he plans to hold meetings with the Communications Ministry with a view to extending the remit of the country’s Film Censorship Board (Lpf) to video streamers. Currently, the Lpf has jurisdiction over theatrical releases, but not content carried on the internet.
Malaysia has been notable in demanding cuts – sometimes refused by rights holders – to imported and local films, especially where they touch on religion or homosexuality, even tangentially. Hollywood films “Thor” and “Lightyear” were both banned. Last year, local director Amanda Nell Eu denounced the censored cut of her prize-winning film “Tiger Stripes.”
Speaking in parliament, Saifuddin said “the Lpf will not approve the screening of any films that promote LGBTQ, communism, Islamophobia, and those conflicting Islamic beliefs.”
VFX Investment
Japanese broadcaster TBS Holdings has announced “a significant capital investment” in Megalis a Tokyo-based VFX production company...
- 3/22/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The second slate for the upcoming Red Lorry Film Festival has been unveiled, and it features many award-winning films and TV series across a wide spectrum of languages and genres. The inaugural edition of the film festival will feature over 100 films.
These titles include iconic films like ‘A Few Good Men’, ‘Jerry Maguire’, ‘Love Actually’, ‘The Great Escaper’ and ‘Escape To Victory’.
The Emma Stone-starrer ‘Poor Things’, which is based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray, will also be screened at the festival along with other titles like ‘Last Swim’, ‘The Good Teacher’, ‘Yolo’, ‘100 Yen Love’, ‘Amal’ and ‘Reawakening’.
Sriram Raghavan, Ambassador of Red Lorry Film Festival, said, “It is an exciting and rewarding experience to be a part of Red Lorry Film Festival. I am ecstatic to be a part of the movie selection process and bring to you an array of diverse films through this festival. The...
These titles include iconic films like ‘A Few Good Men’, ‘Jerry Maguire’, ‘Love Actually’, ‘The Great Escaper’ and ‘Escape To Victory’.
The Emma Stone-starrer ‘Poor Things’, which is based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray, will also be screened at the festival along with other titles like ‘Last Swim’, ‘The Good Teacher’, ‘Yolo’, ‘100 Yen Love’, ‘Amal’ and ‘Reawakening’.
Sriram Raghavan, Ambassador of Red Lorry Film Festival, said, “It is an exciting and rewarding experience to be a part of Red Lorry Film Festival. I am ecstatic to be a part of the movie selection process and bring to you an array of diverse films through this festival. The...
- 3/21/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
French legal drama Anatomy of a Fall‘s against-the-odds global box office run isn’t over just yet. The acclaimed courtroom thriller, which won the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or in 2023 and the Oscar for best original screenplay last week, has secured a nationwide theatrical release date in China on March 29.
Chinese specialty distributor Road Pictures will handle the local marketing and release of Anatomy of a Fall in partnership with the state-backed China Film Group. The film’s writer and director Justine Triet will attend a local premiere event in Beijing on March 24.
Anatomy of a Fall is being positioned as a specialty release, but its feminist themes could align well with a recent trend of women-focused stories being a major box office force in China. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie defied early expectations last year to become a word-of-mouth hit by resonating with China’s young urban women,...
Chinese specialty distributor Road Pictures will handle the local marketing and release of Anatomy of a Fall in partnership with the state-backed China Film Group. The film’s writer and director Justine Triet will attend a local premiere event in Beijing on March 24.
Anatomy of a Fall is being positioned as a specialty release, but its feminist themes could align well with a recent trend of women-focused stories being a major box office force in China. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie defied early expectations last year to become a word-of-mouth hit by resonating with China’s young urban women,...
- 3/18/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
For a second consecutive weekend, Kung Fu Panda 4 held onto the number one spot of the box-office weekend, albeit by only $0.9 million.
In its second weekend of release, Kung Fu Panda 4 brought in $30.0 million to stay on top of the top ten. This gives the Universal Pictures product an overall total of $107.7 million. Meanwhile, still relegated to the second spot of the top ten, Dune: Part Two finished just behind that with $29.1 million over the weekend for Warner Brothers. This brings the film’s three-week tally to $205.3 million. Debuting in third place with $7.5 million was the family film Arthur the King starring Mark Wahlberg. The offering from Lionsgate Films took the place of another Lionsgate film as Imaginary was pushed down to fourth where it added $5.6 million, raising its two-week total to $19.1 million. Also falling a spot was Angel Studios’ Cabrini which landed in fifth place this weekend...
In its second weekend of release, Kung Fu Panda 4 brought in $30.0 million to stay on top of the top ten. This gives the Universal Pictures product an overall total of $107.7 million. Meanwhile, still relegated to the second spot of the top ten, Dune: Part Two finished just behind that with $29.1 million over the weekend for Warner Brothers. This brings the film’s three-week tally to $205.3 million. Debuting in third place with $7.5 million was the family film Arthur the King starring Mark Wahlberg. The offering from Lionsgate Films took the place of another Lionsgate film as Imaginary was pushed down to fourth where it added $5.6 million, raising its two-week total to $19.1 million. Also falling a spot was Angel Studios’ Cabrini which landed in fifth place this weekend...
- 3/18/2024
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
As Filmart gets underway, Hong Kong’s major production companies, including Edko Films, Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp), Media Asia, One Cool Group and Universe Entertainment, will be unveiling their new titles in enormous booths at the front of the trade show floor, some of which will be as elaborate as film sets.
Many of the films they are launching are big-budget Hong Kong-China co-productions, featuring top Hong Kong stars and directors, and aimed at audiences in both China and Hong Kong. Emp has Derek Kwok’s Raging Havoc, starring Andy Lau and Nicholas Tse; Mandarin Motion Pictures has The Prosecutor, starring and directed by Donnie Yen; and Media Asia is launching four new titles headed by Behind The Scene, produced by Infernal Affairs director Andrew Lau. One Cool’s slate includes a trio of action films starring Louis Koo and produced by Soi Cheang.
But behind all the glamour, stars and action,...
Many of the films they are launching are big-budget Hong Kong-China co-productions, featuring top Hong Kong stars and directors, and aimed at audiences in both China and Hong Kong. Emp has Derek Kwok’s Raging Havoc, starring Andy Lau and Nicholas Tse; Mandarin Motion Pictures has The Prosecutor, starring and directed by Donnie Yen; and Media Asia is launching four new titles headed by Behind The Scene, produced by Infernal Affairs director Andrew Lau. One Cool’s slate includes a trio of action films starring Louis Koo and produced by Soi Cheang.
But behind all the glamour, stars and action,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Chinese comedy drama Yolo from Sony Pictures International had a yodeling good domestic debut, grossing $840k on 200 screens, making no. 9 on the weekend top 10. Directed and produced by and starring China’s top grossing female helmer, Jia Ling, it’s earned close to $482 million in China since opening Feb. 10 — and was the highest-grossing film over the Lunar New Year holiday.
The film follows Le Ying (Jia Ling), an unemployed woman in her 30s who still lives with her parents until one day she meets a boxing coach (Lei Jiayin) who may change her life. Produced by New Classics Pictures, Big Bowl Entertainment
Also new, A24’s Love Lies Bleeding by Rose Glass brought the highest per screen average of the weekend and one of the best limited openings of the year. The crime thriller starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian, with Ed Harris, Dave Franco, Anna Baryshnikov and Jena Malone,...
The film follows Le Ying (Jia Ling), an unemployed woman in her 30s who still lives with her parents until one day she meets a boxing coach (Lei Jiayin) who may change her life. Produced by New Classics Pictures, Big Bowl Entertainment
Also new, A24’s Love Lies Bleeding by Rose Glass brought the highest per screen average of the weekend and one of the best limited openings of the year. The crime thriller starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian, with Ed Harris, Dave Franco, Anna Baryshnikov and Jena Malone,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
It looks like “Dune: Part Two” reinvigorated the box office so well last weekend that it had to take a backseat to a perfectly-timed family animated sequel in its second weekend. Read on for the weekend box office report.
DreamWorks Animation and Universal knew that they were likely to have a big hit with the animated sequel “Kung Fu Panda 4,” returning Jack Black to the popular martial arts cartoon character Po, which would benefit from the character’s presence on streaming, as well as from the lack of animated movies in theaters. The mostly positive reviews put “Kung Fu Panda 4” at 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, and being the only animated feature for family audiences allowed it to bring in $19.25 million on Friday, including $3.8 million from Thursday previews. Universal has estimated it winning the weekend quite soundly with $58.3 million in 4,035 theaters, and audiences were generally positive, giving it an “A-” on audience polling site CinemaScore.
DreamWorks Animation and Universal knew that they were likely to have a big hit with the animated sequel “Kung Fu Panda 4,” returning Jack Black to the popular martial arts cartoon character Po, which would benefit from the character’s presence on streaming, as well as from the lack of animated movies in theaters. The mostly positive reviews put “Kung Fu Panda 4” at 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, and being the only animated feature for family audiences allowed it to bring in $19.25 million on Friday, including $3.8 million from Thursday previews. Universal has estimated it winning the weekend quite soundly with $58.3 million in 4,035 theaters, and audiences were generally positive, giving it an “A-” on audience polling site CinemaScore.
- 3/10/2024
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Thanks to the combined heft of “Kung Fu Panda 4” (Universal) and “Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.), domestic box office improved over the same 2023 weekend for the first time. And it did so with two films grossing over $40 million, not seen since last July when “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” did so for their parallel first two weeks.
Not only did #1 “Panda” exceed expectations with $58.3 million, but the “Dune” sequel, with $46 million, dropped only 44 percent from its excellent debut. Notably, that was about the same decrease seen by “Oppenheimer” its second weekend after a nearly identical initial gross. Also significant is that sequels traditionally drop more in their second weeks than original titles.
Meantime, A24 had its second consecutive strong platform debut, with “Love Lies Bleeding” with Kristen Stewart grossing $167,000 in five New York/Los Angeles locations. That bests last week’s “Problemista.” The latter film expanded to 20 theaters this week, with...
Not only did #1 “Panda” exceed expectations with $58.3 million, but the “Dune” sequel, with $46 million, dropped only 44 percent from its excellent debut. Notably, that was about the same decrease seen by “Oppenheimer” its second weekend after a nearly identical initial gross. Also significant is that sequels traditionally drop more in their second weeks than original titles.
Meantime, A24 had its second consecutive strong platform debut, with “Love Lies Bleeding” with Kristen Stewart grossing $167,000 in five New York/Los Angeles locations. That bests last week’s “Problemista.” The latter film expanded to 20 theaters this week, with...
- 3/10/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Hollywood has two reasons to celebrate today, with one of them being the fact that it’s Oscar Sunday. However, the more important reason is no doubt the fact that after a sluggish start to the year, the box office is finally picking up, with the top two movies this weekend overperforming significantly. Even the most optimistic box office forecasters didn’t see Kung Fu Panda 4 opening north of $50 million (we had it pegged at $48 million), but the movie ended up rallying to a massive $58 million weekend. While that’s not much compared to the last Jack Black animated film (The Super Mario Bros. Movie), it’s worth noting that the Kung Fu Panda franchise was widely thought to have run out of gas some time ago. The last two Kung Fu Panda movies only made $47 and $41 million on their opening weekends, thus giving the franchise its biggest start...
- 3/10/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Taiwanese-produced crime action film “The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon” opened on top of the mainland China box office over the weekend, ahead of a quartet of holdover titles from Lunar New Year. Sony’s ‘Madame Web’ and a rereleased “Dune” also opened, but they failed to penetrate the top five.
“The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon” earned $16.2 million (RMB115 million), according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway. Other than the Lunar New Year titles, that represented the highest opening by any new film in China this year. But it was not entirely a convincing performance. It came in only narrowly ahead of “Article 20,” the Zhang Yimou-directed crime comedy drama that has been in cinemas for four weeks now.
Directed by Hong Kong’s Wong Ching-po and starring Ethan Juan, the films tells the story of a gangster who discovers, first that he has cancer and...
“The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon” earned $16.2 million (RMB115 million), according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway. Other than the Lunar New Year titles, that represented the highest opening by any new film in China this year. But it was not entirely a convincing performance. It came in only narrowly ahead of “Article 20,” the Zhang Yimou-directed crime comedy drama that has been in cinemas for four weeks now.
Directed by Hong Kong’s Wong Ching-po and starring Ethan Juan, the films tells the story of a gangster who discovers, first that he has cancer and...
- 3/5/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
"A fiery soul is here to break the limits and rise from the ashes." Sony Pictures has revealed a new official US trailer for a Chinese comedy called Yolo, both directed by and starring the Chinese actress Jia Ling. The film opened in China last month, and will open in select US theaters later this week for everyone in the US to catch up with it. After argument with her younger sister, Le Ying moves out on her own after years of living at home and not doing much. She meets a boxing trainer and starts boxing, which might just change her life. The story follows the story of an overweight, unemployed woman who turns her life around after taking up boxing. Jia, who also plays the protagonist, made headlines for losing over 100 pounds over the course of filming. The cast includes Lei Jiayin, Zhang Xiaofei, Sha Yi, Zhao Haiyan,...
- 3/4/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Taiwanese black comedy thriller The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon brought some fresh momentum to China’s theatrical box office over the weekend, beating four local blockbusters that had dominated the market since the Lunar New Year holiday kicked off early last month. The hit crime movie, which was released in Taiwan last October, earned a healthy $16.2 million from its mainland China debut.
Zhang Yimou’s Article 20 came in a close second with $16 million, which lifted its cumulative score to a whopping $320.1 million, according to data from Artisan Gateway. The other Chinese holiday tentpoles also continued to do solid business. Han Han’s race car-driving sequel Pegasus 2 earned $14.4 million in its fourth frame for a total of $457.5 million, followed by children’s animation Boonie Bears: Time Twist at $8.7 million ($267.7 million in total) and Jia Ling’s heartwarming comedy Yolo with $8 million ($478.2 million).
The five Chinese films were miles...
Zhang Yimou’s Article 20 came in a close second with $16 million, which lifted its cumulative score to a whopping $320.1 million, according to data from Artisan Gateway. The other Chinese holiday tentpoles also continued to do solid business. Han Han’s race car-driving sequel Pegasus 2 earned $14.4 million in its fourth frame for a total of $457.5 million, followed by children’s animation Boonie Bears: Time Twist at $8.7 million ($267.7 million in total) and Jia Ling’s heartwarming comedy Yolo with $8 million ($478.2 million).
The five Chinese films were miles...
- 3/4/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Worldwide box office February 23-25 Rank Film (distributor) 3-day (world)Cume (world) 3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Article 20 (various) $39.2m $288.6m $39.2m $288.6m 4 2. Pegasus 2 (various) $34.9m $433.2m $34.7m $431.6m 4 3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba - To The Hashira Training (various) $28.5m $41.7m $17m $30.1m 57 4. Bob Marley: One Love (Paramount) $28.5m $120.5m $15m $49.4m 60 5. Yolo (various) $24.7m $463.2m $24.7m $463.2m 1 6. Boonie Bears: Time Twist (various) $21.9m $256.9m $21.9m $256.9m 1 7. Exhuma (Showbox) $16.7m $16.7m $16.7m $16.7m 1 8. Madame Web (Sony) $16.5m $77.4m $10.5m $42m 65 9. Migration (Universal) $7.8m $268.7m $4.8m $148.3m 80 10. Wonka (Paramount) $7.7m $617.2m $5.2m $402.7m 72 Worldwide...
- 2/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
The four strongest Chinese titles that launched over the Lunar New Year holidays continued to dominate the mainland China and global office charts for a third successive weekend, albeit with a change of order that put Zhang Yimou’s “Article 20” in top spot.
Global box office tracking service ComScore showed “Article 20,” “Pegasus 2,” “Yolo” and “Boonie Bears: Time Twist” as ranking first, second, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the world over the latest weekend.
Within mainland China, the quartet’s numbers were sufficiently solid that the year-to-date aggregate is now closely comparable to 2023’s. And, even in their third week, the four were many miles ahead of the top newcomer, “Argylle.”
China data, provided by consultancy Artisan Gateway, showed “Article 20” earned $40.1 million (RMB285 million) between Friday and Sunday. Having placed fourth on opening and third in its second weekend, the latest weekend win means that the gaps between the cumulative...
Global box office tracking service ComScore showed “Article 20,” “Pegasus 2,” “Yolo” and “Boonie Bears: Time Twist” as ranking first, second, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the world over the latest weekend.
Within mainland China, the quartet’s numbers were sufficiently solid that the year-to-date aggregate is now closely comparable to 2023’s. And, even in their third week, the four were many miles ahead of the top newcomer, “Argylle.”
China data, provided by consultancy Artisan Gateway, showed “Article 20” earned $40.1 million (RMB285 million) between Friday and Sunday. Having placed fourth on opening and third in its second weekend, the latest weekend win means that the gaps between the cumulative...
- 2/26/2024
- 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
Worldwide box office February 16-18 RankFilm (distributor)3-day (world)Cume (world)3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Yolo (various) $84.4m $402.4m $84.4m $402.4m 1 2. Pegasus 2 (various) $79.2m $358.1m $78.86m $357m 3 3. Article 20 (various) $68.4m $206m $68.4m $206m 1 4. Bob Marley: One Love (Paramount) $56.7m $74.6m $29m $29m 48 5. Boonie Bears: Time Twist (various) $50.5m $207.7m $50.5m $207.7m 1 6. Madame Web (Sony)
$40.9m $49.1m $25,7m $25.7m 62 7. Haikyu!! The Movie: Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump (various)
$15,2m $15.2m $15.2m $15.2m 1 8. Wonka (Warner Bros)
$11.2m $254.8m $7m $395.1m 75 9. Migration (Universal) $10.7m $254.8m $7m $140m 6 10. Anyone But You (Sony) $10.2m $188.9m $7.8m $104.2m 44 Paramount celebrates...
$40.9m $49.1m $25,7m $25.7m 62 7. Haikyu!! The Movie: Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump (various)
$15,2m $15.2m $15.2m $15.2m 1 8. Wonka (Warner Bros)
$11.2m $254.8m $7m $395.1m 75 9. Migration (Universal) $10.7m $254.8m $7m $140m 6 10. Anyone But You (Sony) $10.2m $188.9m $7.8m $104.2m 44 Paramount celebrates...
- 2/19/2024
- 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
Cinema box office in Hong Kong failed to live up to expectations over the Lunar New Year holidays, even as local films led the chart.
Movie theatre takings between Feb. 9-13 in Hong Kong weighed in at just Hk$48.6 million ($6.23 million), according to data provided by Hong Kong Box Office Limited, a joint venture between Motion Picture Industry Association (Mpia) and the Hong Kong Theatres Association. That was fully 24% below the Hk$64 million attained last year.
Unlike mainland China, where the official Lunar New Year (aka Chinese New Year) celebrations last for a week, Hong Kong takes three only three days as public holidays. This year one of them, Saturday, occurred over a weekend, meaning that workplaces were closed only for four days (Friday-Tuesday).
Audiences in the territory, which returned to full Chinese sovereignty in 1997, also have substantially different taste from their northern brethren.
The top film in Hong Kong...
Movie theatre takings between Feb. 9-13 in Hong Kong weighed in at just Hk$48.6 million ($6.23 million), according to data provided by Hong Kong Box Office Limited, a joint venture between Motion Picture Industry Association (Mpia) and the Hong Kong Theatres Association. That was fully 24% below the Hk$64 million attained last year.
Unlike mainland China, where the official Lunar New Year (aka Chinese New Year) celebrations last for a week, Hong Kong takes three only three days as public holidays. This year one of them, Saturday, occurred over a weekend, meaning that workplaces were closed only for four days (Friday-Tuesday).
Audiences in the territory, which returned to full Chinese sovereignty in 1997, also have substantially different taste from their northern brethren.
The top film in Hong Kong...
- 2/14/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Four Chinese films dominated the global box office charts over the weekend, with combined takings of $350 million earned over just two days.
And, as North America watched the Super Bowl instead, the weekend’s top Hollywood title, “Argylle” earned just $15.9 million worldwide.
Chinese titles eschewed their usual Friday release pattern and opened on Saturday, the first official day of the Lunar New Year holiday period in China and much of Asia.
Female-directed comedy drama “Yolo,” earned $113 million (RMB802 million), according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was narrowly ahead of car-racing comedy “Pegasus 2,” which earned RMB758 million or $107 million and was the bigger title on Saturday. “Yolo” is poised to release in international markets in the future, having recently been acquired by Sony.
In third place, both in China and worldwide, Chinese animation film “Boonie Bears: Time Twist” earned a stunning RMB443 million or $62.4 million. “Article 20,” a Zhang Yimou...
And, as North America watched the Super Bowl instead, the weekend’s top Hollywood title, “Argylle” earned just $15.9 million worldwide.
Chinese titles eschewed their usual Friday release pattern and opened on Saturday, the first official day of the Lunar New Year holiday period in China and much of Asia.
Female-directed comedy drama “Yolo,” earned $113 million (RMB802 million), according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was narrowly ahead of car-racing comedy “Pegasus 2,” which earned RMB758 million or $107 million and was the bigger title on Saturday. “Yolo” is poised to release in international markets in the future, having recently been acquired by Sony.
In third place, both in China and worldwide, Chinese animation film “Boonie Bears: Time Twist” earned a stunning RMB443 million or $62.4 million. “Article 20,” a Zhang Yimou...
- 2/12/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
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