Chinese film market embraces diversity with rich themes this summer

BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland film market has embraced greater diversity, with over 100 films hitting the big screen this summer vacation.

Between June 1 and Aug. 31, the Chinese mainland's summer box office totaled 11.6 billion yuan (about 1.63 billion U.S. dollars), with domestic films accounting for over 72 percent of the revenue.

REALIST THEMES

A notable feature of Chinese films this summer is their focus on realist themes, telling stories that resonate with ordinary people.

For instance, "Successor," a comedy starring acclaimed Chinese comedian duo Shen Teng and Ma Li, topped the summer vacation box office chart with a whopping 3.3 billion yuan box office revenue.

Although the film tells a satirical story about a child whose life is meticulously planned and staged by his parents, it actually centers on parenting and family education, provoking deep reflection among its audience.

On the Chinese film review platform Douban, many viewers praised the film as "profound" and said it "reveals the horror of controlling parents." Some even compared it to the Hollywood classic "The Truman Show."

The Chinese crime thriller "A Place Called Silence" also centers around a realist theme, focusing on the issue of school bullying, a topic that has garnered increased attention in recent years. As of Aug. 31, the film had grossed over 1.3 billion yuan.

BREAKTHROUGH EXPERIENCE

In addition to the wide array of Chinese films, foreign films -- particularly Hollywood productions -- also garnered significant attention from audiences.

"Alien: Romulus" and "Deadpool &Wolverine" have earned 642 million yuan and 427 million yuan, respectively, securing third and fifth place on the summer box office chart, according to box office tracker Dengta Data.

Both films are rated "R" for "restricted" by the Motion Picture Association of America, meaning viewers under 17 must be accompanied by a parent. To the surprise of many filmgoers, the two films underwent minimal editing, unlike previous R-rated films in China, which were often heavily cut and edited to reduce gore and violence. Also, their posters in the Chinese market included warnings urging young audiences and parents to exercise discretion in deciding whether to watch them.

"This is a completely uncut release and a breakthrough for the domestic film market," wrote a netizen in the comment section of "Alien: Romulus" on Douban, describing the film as "the most chilling thing this summer."

INNOVATE FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Despite the high volume of films released, this year's total summer box office is notably lower than last year's 20.6 billion yuan.

The reasons for the drop in box office figures vary. Dong Wenxin, a cinema manager and film industry observer, attributed it to film creators' attempts at experimentation rather than "playing it safe."

A prime example is "Decoded," the latest film from Chinese director Chen Sicheng, whose previous work, "Lost in the Stars," was a hit in the 2023 summer market, grossing over 3.5 billion yuan.

In "Decoded," the director chose to depict the code-breaking process with grand visual spectacles and striking colors, which experts view as an innovative approach.

"It is a breakthrough in the genre expansion of Chinese films and an innovative attempt to adapt to the evolving film market," said Rao Shuguang, president of China Film Critics Association.

Dong noted that, from a long-term perspective, a film's box office performance in a specific period only reflects temporary gains and losses. "What's more important is how it advances the film industry, grows audiences and helps film professionals improve their abilities."