Chinese Films' Journey to the West

Over the past few years, China's film industry has exploded in terms of quantity and box office, but films have not made a strong presence in the international market. Experts and filmmakers carefully discuss this fact and try to figure out ways to achieve wider acclaim.

During 2011, China produced nearly 800 movies, which generated box office revenues of more than more than US$2 billion, nearly a 29 percent increase from 2010.

In a nod to the film industry's success, Teng Jimeng, a film expert at Beijing Foreign Studies University, has attributed the enhanced performance at the box office to many factors.

"Firstly, success is based on large quantity and diversity. The second reason is the developing of cinema infrastructure. Some cinemas are increasingly modern, close to the forefront of international theaters. The third reason is favorable policy support, such as capital investment."

Though many cheer these successes, Director Feng Xiaoning, a member of the current Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, expressed concern about the blind pursuit of the box office in the domestic market, something that may send the development of the film industry off track.

"When it comes to films, people think of box offices. I think it is not comprehensive thinking, and it is wrong to judge a film only by the box office because it may promote the film producers who are bent solely on profit."

Feng calls for Chinese filmmakers to concentrate on producing high-quality films to win a more international audience.

In 2011, 485 Chinese films were featured in 75 international exhibitions and promotions, and 55 films won 82 awards in various film festivals, according to official statistics, Teng said.

"China never slows down its race to go global, and Chinese films have participated in various international film festivals and won prizes. However, the problem is that easterners may accept Chinese films easily, but it is hard for westerners. For example, it happened in this year's Oscars."

Except for martial arts movies with super stars like Jack Chan and Bruce Lee, Western moviegoers are not familiar with contemporary Chinese films, according to Wendy Fung, a Chinese-American.

"The cinemas should play the movies at major cinemas, not in smaller or independent cinemas, so more people would be more interested. Right now, people who watch foreign films go to smaller cinemas that show only foreign films. It is very rare for Chinese films to get on the screen in the big cinemas."

Feng suggests that it will be a long and arduous journey for Chinese cinema to gain respect from Western viewers.

"There are ideological differences. They could easily accept these films if they matched their ideology, so we can use common themes in art and human nature, such as the pursuit of peace and hatred of war, to impress international audiences."

As a film director, Feng also says there is room for improvement in current storytelling methods, shooting techniques and making films that accord with international practices. He will continue to make suggestions to promote Chinese films in the international market.