American actors feel that a stop at Beijing and Shanghai is a must for the success of their films. PHOTO: FILE
India makes the largest number of films in the world, about 1,300 every 12 months. The figure remains more or less the same year after year. China on the other hand, produces just about half that number. Yet, the country remains the most sought after spot for Hollywood. A - listers visit the country regularly to promote their blockbusters. India, despite its extraordinary number of films, is sidelined by Hollywood stars.
After producing films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero, Chinese cinema garnered respect and support and managed to captivate audiences across continents. Several countries went to China for co-production deals, and in 2012, it became the second largest market in the world after America. Last year, China grossed $ 3.6 billion at the box office, reported Hindustan Times.
It is predicted that China will be the biggest film market in 2018 and a major hub for Hollywood studios.
With China’s movie market now stealing the show from Tokyo and Hong Kong, American actors feel that a stop at Beijing and Shanghai is a must for the success of their films.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Hollywood stars take a flight to China to promote their movies. Recently, Johnny Depp was in the country selling his new sci-fi movie, Transcendence, which opens there on April 18. During his tour, he showed off his I-Ching inspired tattoo, answered questions about Chinese food and taped a special segment of the variety programme, Chinese Dream Show for Zhejiang TV. He attempted calligraphy with a giant brush and picked up an electric guitar to perform with Taiwanese musician David Tao.
Last week, Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Jamie Foxx were in Beijing to promote The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Samuel L Jackson, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans were also there for their Marvel superhero film, Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
With some of the Hollywood productions making more money in China than in the US, stars feel obliged to fly into the country to talk about their movies.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2014.
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Bilal Lashari should make his next film in China. We need a share of that market too.