China's box office likely to surpass North America

Zhang Huijun, president of the Beijing Film Academy (L) and Michael Kutza, founder of the Chicago International Film Festival attend the seminar at the Beijing Film Academy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"China's film box office this year may hit 20 billion yuan, and will probably surpass that of North America within the following five years," Xie Fei, the well-respected Chinese director remarked at a film seminar recently. The seminar was held as one event during the China Beijing International Cultural and Creative Industry Expo.

Nowadays, Hollywood movies need to add a few Chinese elements to make them more appealing to Chinese audiences, which occupy a large portion within the global market, such as Ironman 3, said Michael Kutza, founder of the Chicago International Film Festival.

Kim Yong-hwa, a famous director from South Korea, also said, "The market dominated by Hollywood is likely to be replaced by China within the next five to ten years. This can be seen by box office performance as well as the audience tendencies."

As a result, Hollywood is now changing its attitude. They have attached more importance to this issue and have become more open to the Chinese market, according to Wang Changtian, CEO of Enlight Media.

With a favorable market position, Xie Fei still suggests Chinese filmmakers keep their feet on the ground and first do their own job well. "Only when you produce films Chinese audiences like, can they achieve success in the global market," he said, "Like the hit Chinese drama A Beautiful Daughter-in-law Era and Legend of Zhen Huan, which have won much popularity both from home and abroad."

Talking about film dreams, the well-known producer Lee Joo-ick from South Korea hopes he can make a pure Chinese film without any commercial aspects by using the old Beijing hutongs from 1930s. He suggests Chinese filmmakers make full use of the rich natural and cultural resources of China, and present its unique charm on the screen.

Lee Joo-ick is the producer of the hit movie Late Autumn, which is a co-production between China and South Korea starring Chinese actress Tang Wei. The film has won great popularity around the world along with numerous awards.

Chinese director Xie Fei at the Beijing Film Academy seminar. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]