Indie hits and notable flops: Here is a roundup of big happenings in Chinese and diaspora films this year
For many Chinese film fans and people in the industry, 2022 has been disappointing—cinemas around the country suffered a heavy blow from the strict pandemic-control policies that restricted people’s movements until recent weeks, while few quality films, domestic or imported, made it past the censors to light up the big screens.
In November, cinemas across China raked in a mere 568 million yuan, a catastrophic 70 percent drop compared to November 2021. Meanwhile, a wave of movie theaters around the country in cities big and small have announced their closure. Among those still standing, many, according to a recent TWOC report, have had to launch innovative side ventures—opening up the venue for other live performances or even as a napping space—to stay afloat.
In August, the China Film Administration (CFA) collaborated with online ticketing platforms to pump a total of 100 million yuan in coupons offering discounts for Chinese filmgoers, but even that did not restore the market to its former glory. As of December 20, China’s annual box office had earned a total of 29.1 billion yuan, not even half of the 64.1 billion yuan it raked in in 2019. Here, we take you through some of the ups and downs in Chinese and diaspora films this year.
Siyi is the former Culture Editor at The World of Chinese. She writes about arts, culture, and society, and is ever-curious about the minds, hearts, and souls inside all of these spheres. She is now a freelance writer with additional work experience in independent filmmaking and the field of education.
