Enter a brave new world

While some industry insiders are optimistic about the future of Chinese-language sci-fi movies, others say it's difficult to shake off the impression that China is not a place with a rich sci-fi history.

Echoing the latter view, veteran director Guo Fan says: "If you speak of an alien invasion or robot battles to a Chinese movie-goer, what will be the first thing that will spring to his mind to end? The answer is obviously American intervention."

His comment drew a lot of laughs from participants at the forum.

From Guo's point of view, China lacks a tradition of exploration of then unknown territories and alien civilizations, which thrived in the West between the 16th and the mid-19th century.

Guo, known for the 2011 fantasy movie Lee's Adventure, says that the way for Chinese filmmakers to beat their powerful Hollywood rivals lies in localizing the genre.

His mantra seems to have some resonance, given the growing buzz about two new sci-fi movies－actress Zhang Ziyi-produced Oh My God and the comedy actor Wang Baoqiang-starrer Impossible.

Both films, which open on Dec 4, weave modern Chinese' conflicts and confusion into a science fantasy world.

While Oh My God tells the story of two young Chinese couples raising an alien infant, Impossible centers on how two losers' destinies change after meeting creatures from a fluid planet. Both films use the comedy format, one of the most commercially safe choices in the mainland market now.

Given that China's sci-fi film technology is yet to reach Western standards－represented by the influential Star Wars franchise－local producers have been taking short cuts by recruiting Hollywood teams for their films.

Chinese director and screenwriter Zhou Wenwubei is among them.

His upcoming sci-fi movie, Lost in the Pacific, uses Venture 3-D to for the visual effects. Venture 3-D is known for its work in the The Chronicles of Narnia and the 2012 rendering of Titanic in 3-D.

But despite the hurdles, Zhou struck a positive note when he says: "Sci-fi productions are loved by children and adults, regardless of nationality or language. I believe the Chinese can tell a good sci-fi story with international appeal.

"The audience will not remember who was the first to make sci-fi movies, but will remember who was the best. I believe China has a chance."

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