The Rise of Domestic Movies Reveals Cultural Confidence - A Perspective of China's High Quality Development Highlights Part Four: China | Movies | China

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 21 (Xinhua) - The Rise of Domestic Movies Highlights Cultural Confidence - Perspective of China's High Quality Development Highlights Part Four

Xinhua News Agency reporters Wang Peng and Xu Xiaoqing

According to statistics from the National Film Administration, as of 7:00 pm on August 18th, a number of films such as "The Disappearing She," "In an Octagonal Cage," "Three Thousand Miles in Chang'an," "The First Episode of Fengshen: Chaoge Fengyun," "Warmth," and "desperate gamble," have been released in the summer season. The box office of Chinese films in the 2023 summer season reached 17.8 billion yuan, exceeding the 17.779 billion yuan box office record in 2019, setting a new record for summer season box office revenue. The number of viewers has exceeded 435 million.

This is a microcosm of the high-quality development of China's film market. In recent years, the reputation of key period films in China's film market has improved, box office data is impressive, and the types are becoming increasingly diverse. New breakthroughs have been made in film technology innovation, and the international influence of films is gradually expanding... China's film creation potential is enormous, and the film market is actively improving, which not only demonstrates cultural confidence but also vividly notes the high-quality development of China.

Drawing nourishment from excellent traditional Chinese culture

The magnificent atmosphere of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the profound artistic conception of Tang poetry, and the poet's social stories... This summer, "Three Thousand Miles in Chang'an" received widespread praise from audiences and achieved box office results of over 1.7 billion yuan, ranking second on China's box office list of animated films in film history.

Equally noteworthy is the movie "Fengshen Part 1: Chaoge Fengyun". The film delved into the values embedded in the story of the gods and achieved a box office revenue of over 2.2 billion yuan.

From the content, both films are rooted in excellent traditional Chinese culture, and through the rich visual and auditory language of the times, they find the connection point between traditional culture and modern life, showcasing the unique charm of Chinese civilization.

The vast and profound Chinese civilization is a unique spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation. For a period of time, with the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture, the vitality of cultural innovation and creation across the entire nation has been bursting out. As a result, the creative inspiration of Chinese filmmakers has become more diverse, and their creative ideas have become broader.

"Man Jianghong", "Nezha's Devil Child Comes to Earth", "Jiang Ziya"... In recent years, Chinese filmmakers use light and shadow art to activate the vitality of Chinese culture by deeply exploring the ideas, humanistic spirit, moral norms, etc. contained in Chinese excellent traditional culture, combining the Chinese aesthetic spirit with contemporary aesthetic pursuit.

The exploration of the integration of film and other art forms not only broadens the boundaries of film art themes, but also injects new impetus into the inheritance and development of excellent traditional Chinese culture.

On May 23 this year, the 18th and 19th China Film ornamental column Awards were announced. The Cantonese opera film "Legend of White Snake · Love" won the outstanding feature film award of the 19th ornamental column Award.

Director Zhang Xianfeng introduced that "The Legend of the White Snake: Love" is based on the love story between Bai Niangzi and Xu Xian, incorporating Chinese painting art style, and presenting classic paragraphs such as "Thief of Immortal Grass" and "Water Over Golden Mountain" with more fantastical effects, pursuing a harmonious integration of traditional Chinese opera and film art.

In addition, with the strong support of relevant departments and the active participation of artists in the Beijing Opera and film industries, the "Beijing Opera Film Project" is also being continuously promoted, and works such as "Si Lang Tan Mu" and "Red Chamber Er You" have been launched this year. These Peking Opera films not only ensure the authenticity of traditional Chinese opera, but also use cinematic language to tell stories, shape characters, and present the beauty of Peking Opera art.

"Drawing spiritual nourishment from the long-standing Chinese civilization, showcasing the vastness and profoundness of Chinese culture through light and shadow art, Chinese filmmakers have contributed to the inheritance and promotion of excellent traditional Chinese culture through their own efforts," said Rao Shuguang, President of the China Film Critics Society.

Exploring Themes from the Countless Meteorology of the New Era

The "Changjin Lake" series, the "Me and Me" trilogy, "Sniper", "King of the Long Sky"... Throughout China's film market in recent years, the new mainstream film is one of the bright colors.

With a distinct value orientation and a focus on enhancing the artistic quality of films, new mainstream films adhere to integrity and innovation, frequently becoming the "main force" of box office in major key time periods.

In the eyes of relevant experts, the diverse atmosphere of the new era and new journey has accumulated valuable creative themes for filmmakers; The high level of national pride and cultural self-confidence is also conducive to the widespread resonance of new mainstream films among audiences.

Returning heroes to ordinary fireworks has gradually become a consensus among new mainstream film creators. For example, "King of the Sky" not only showcases the bravery and courage of young test pilots, but also showcases their growth journey; Sniper sees big from small, presenting a unique perspective on the Korean War and vividly portraying a group of young sniper class five soldiers

"New mainstream films break through the conceptualization and simplification of mainstream values in previous films of the same genre by portraying individual emotions, and better trigger empathy and resonance among audiences," said Zhang Zongwei, Vice Dean of the School of Drama and Film at Communication University of China.

A group of realistic works that delve into daily life and take root in the people, with a warm background, depicting the uplifting style of the times.

"Passionate" takes the Asian Games breakdance competition as the theme, reflecting the ordinary people's persistence in moving forward for their dreams; Miracle: Stupid Children tells the story of ordinary people struggling in Shenzhen, showcasing their dream driven lives... These films focus on the individual's life experiences in the context of the times, paying tribute to every ordinary person who tirelessly strives.

"These films balance artistic and commercial aspects, allowing audiences to feel the weight of reality and touch the warmth of reality. This tells Chinese filmmakers to create more high-quality films with a profound understanding of the real society and a sincere attitude." said Zhang Zongwei.

Accumulate experience from the sustained development of the film industry

The sudden drop in temperature, rolling waves, and meteorites... During this year's Spring Festival, "Wandering Earth 2" explores more possibilities for the development of domestic science fiction films with grand visual wonders and exciting stories, reflecting the continuous progress of China's film industry.

"Compared to its predecessor, 'Wandering Earth 2' has a diverse and diverse set of visuals and a larger number of actors. We use various technologies such as 3D printing, digital lathes, and laser engraving to promote more efficient and refined production of props in the film," said director Guo Fan.

In November 2021, the National Film Administration issued the "14th Five Year Plan for the Development of Chinese Film", which pointed out that during the "14th Five Year Plan" period, efforts should be made to achieve "more abundant research achievements in key films with independent intellectual property rights, a more solid foundation for film industrialization, further improvement of special effects production level, and further improvement of film standardization system.".

Some industry insiders believe that in recent years, the industrialization of film has provided impetus for the vigorous development of China's film industry, and has also made the division of labor in the film and television industry more refined and specialized. On this basis, more and more domestic films are presenting a shocking "blockbuster feeling"——

In the early filming stage of "Changjin Lake", the three major production teams led by Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark, and Lin Chaoxian had more than 7000 members, and with the participation of more than 80 special effects companies in the later stages, the total number of staff for the film project was as high as 12000;

Assassination of the Novelist improves the storyline on the basis of the literary original, adds imaginative and technical visual effects, and blends the fictional world under the novelist's pen with real-life scenes;

"Fengshen Part 1: Chaoge Fengyun" uses exquisite special effects technology to depict vivid character images such as Lei Zhenzi and Jiuwei Fox. The grand scene of thousands of soldiers charging into battle in the film conveys exciting power;

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"After a period of continuous exploration, the film market has seen a large number of young creators and practitioners with a clear understanding of the film industry, who will play an important role in promoting the sustainable development of China's film industrialization. We also need to make good use of the valuable experience accumulated in the process of film industrialization, so that Chinese films can tell the story of China well and spread the voice of China well," said Professor Zhi Fena of the China Academy of Arts.