MUMBAI: Imax, the Toronto-based giant screen exhibitor has partnered with Nongken Bona Film Investment to install a digital screen in the Nongken Bona International Cineplex in Tianjin, China.
The theatre, set to open in September, follows Imax screening Bona Film Group‘s 3D martial arts epic Flying Swords of Dragon Gate on its screens and setting an Imax Chinese exhibition record.
“With the incredible success of Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, we have first-hand experience with Imax‘s ability to transform the movie-going experience, making audiences believe that they‘re a part of the film,” Bona Film Group founder and CEO Dong Yu said after his latest agreement with Imax for the Tianjin theatre in a statement.
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, which released in China in December 2011, became the fourth highest grossing Chinese-language film ever and the highest-grossing Chinese title digitally remastered into the Imax format.
Tag: China
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Imax inks deal for another theatre in China
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China’s Wanda Group to buy AMC Entertainment for $2.6 bn
MUMBAI: Hollywood is attacting investments from China while opening up its own market in a limited way to the western movie world.
China-based Dalian Wanda Group has agreed to buy AMC Entertainment, the second largest movie theatre chain in North Amierica, for $2.6 billion.
Wanda, located in Beijing, intends to also invest up to $500 million in AMC strategic and operating initiatives over time as it aims to create the world‘s largest cinema theatre chain.
The move comes after a line of investments Wanda has made in the entertainment sector since 2005. “This acquisition will help make Wanda a truly global cinema owner,” said Wanda chairman and president Wang Jianlin in a statement. “We share with AMC a passion for the growth of the worldwide movie industry.”
The transaction is pending closing conditions and regulatory approval from the US and China. “With Wanda as its partner, AMC will continue to seek out new ways to expand and invest in the movie-going experience,” AMC CEO and President Gerry Lopez said in a statement.
The Wanda group has more than $1.6 billion invested in entertainment and cultural activities.
AMC, headquartered in Kansas City, employs about 18,500 people and owns 346 theatres. -
News Corp picks up 19.9% stake in China’s Bona Film
MUMBAI: News Corporation has acquired a 19.9 per cent stake in Bona Film Group, a leading film distributor and vertically integrated film company in China, from the company‘s founder, chairman and CEO Dong Yu.
Following the close of these transactions, Yu‘s ownership will be reduced to 8,210,803 ordinary shares (not including options to purchase 545,615 ordinary shares), representing approximately 27 per cent of the company‘s ordinary shares outstanding.
These transactions are expected to close in the next 15 days and are subject to customary closing conditions.
“One of Bona‘s unique advantages is its vertically-integrated business model, which differentiates the dompany from other film distributors in China,” said News Corporation China investments SVP, News Corporation & CEO Dr. Jack Gao.
“China‘s film market is growing at a rapid pace, positioning the country to be the second largest film market following the United States, and Bona‘s market leadership, compelling value proposition and tremendous growth potential make this an attractive opportunity for News Corporation.”
On his part, Yu has entered into separate agreements to acquire 1,000,000 Bona ordinary shares from SIG China Investments One, Ltd., 1,000,000 Bona ordinary shares from Matrix Partners China Funds and 1,500,000 Bona ordinary shares from the Sequoia Funds, at an average price of $11.40 per share, or $5.70 per American Depositary share.
“We are thrilled to receive this strategic investment from News Corporation. As one of the leading film distributors in China, we are committed to bringing the best quality Chinese films to broad audiences around the world. News Corporation‘s extensive global reach, investment and distribution will help accelerate our strategy to expand our global footprint,” said Yu.
Since its IPO in 2010, Bona has developed its business significantly.”We believe now is the time to diversify our ownership structure by introducing select strategic investors. This is an exciting period of growth for China‘s film industry, and we look forward to exploring the international commercial opportunities for Chinese films with our new partner,” Yu said. -
Lionsgate to release The Hunger Games in China
MUMBAI: Lionsgate has been green lighted to release The Hunger Games in China in the first half of June. The film, starring Jennifer Lawrence has already grossed $620 million in worldwide box office.
China watchers were likely surprised by the smooth entry of the Lionsgate blockbuster into China, given the film‘s anti-authoritarian themes and the current politically sensitive climate in the country.
“China is already one of the leading territories at the international box office, and the launch of The Hunger Games in this key market is another sign of the franchise‘s continuing emergence as a truly global phenomenon,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman said in a statement.
The moves comes as a surprise as the Suzanne Collins books on which Hunger Games is based has not sold as widely overseas as in North America.
Now, with Hunger Games set for release in China, Lionsgate is hopeful that the Catching Fire sequel would also get approval for a release in China.
The Hunger Games release, in both dubbed and subtitled prints, will be executed by The China Film Group and Lionsgate partner Talent International.
The Hunger Games will be among the first major Hollywood films to be released in China under the landmark revenue sharing agreement announced in February that allows foreign distributors to collect up to 25 per cent of a film‘s receipts in China.
Back in 2010, Avatar, the highest grossing movie in China ever, was unexpectedly pulled early from 2D screens amidst reports that propaganda officials had deemed the film‘s domestic market dominance undesirable and its storyline too similar to a sensitive issue of the day: the forced eviction of Chinese villagers to make way for civic and commercial development.
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China’s Tianjin city is creating $1.27 bn film & media hub
MUMBAI: China-based Harvest Seven Stars Entertainment has tied up with the government of Tianjin city to build Chinawood, a $1.27 billion film and media hub that will be spread across a land admeasuring 8.6 million square feet.
The base is aimed at US and other foreign productions and will provide a hub for co-productions that are exempt from Chinese import quotas. Some 35 per cent of the investment is earmarked for film financing,said the group in a statement.
Among Chinawood‘s functions will be a co-production film financing platform, a co-production service centre with post facilities, a facility for 3D conversion and a distribution and marketing center.
Off late, Seven Stars Entertainment has been busy building a rapport with Hollywood having linked up with Jake Eberts and Justin Lin on projects already this year and launched $800 million private equityfund Harvest Seven Stars Media Fund in February.
Seven Stars Entertainment‘s Bruno Wu said, “It is crucial, as well as inevitable, that we offer the products and services to facilitate substantial cooperation between the two territories. This project is asignificant step towards closing that gap by providing expertise and facilities in all areas of financing, legal, co-production, distribution, marketing, sales and infrastructure.”
Tianjin is a coastal city that takes around 30 minutes from Beijing by high-speed train. It has been growing in recent years by aggressively attracting high-tech industries to set up there.
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Endemol to make a show for China
MUMBAI: Shanghai Media Group’s Entertainment Channel has ordered a first series of Endemol Argentina’s obstacle based game show XXS.
The 10 part series will broadcast in peak time and will be in production over the next two months.
Zhejiang Satellite TV has commissioned two 12-episode seasons of Endemol’s stunt based format 101 Ways to Leave a Game Show. The first series launched on the channel in prime time earlier in the year and the second season will now broadcast later in 2012.
Both programmes are being produced by Endemol at the company’s international production hubs outside Buenos Aires, with contestants from China being flown in to compete. Endemol Argentina is handling production in association with Endemol Asia and the broadcasters of each series.
Endemol Asia CEO Arjen van Mierlo said, “These are the first formats to be produced for Chinese broadcasters at our production hubs in Argentina. Both are epic shows with incredible stunts and obstacles, all staged on giant sets. Endemol’s international hub model has made it possible for us to bring these formats to China and we are thrilled to have had them commissioned by SMG and Zhejiang Satellite TV.”
XXS was created by Endemol Argentina and features families competing for a cash prize by taking on an larger-than-life obstacle course set in a giant house. Filled with objects that are 100 times bigger than they are, the families must complete the course in the quickest time in order to win the prize.
‘101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow‘, which was developed by Endemol’s UK and USA creative teams, sees loosing contestants ejected from the show…literally. From human cannon and catapults to bungee cords and parachute jumps, the only thing the stunts have in common is that contestants don’t know they have lost until they’re flying through the air – and off the show.
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20 films on Buddhism to be screened at 5-day fest
NEW DELHI: Over 20 feature and short films on Buddhist philosophy and thought from seven countries will be screened during ‘Inner Path‘, a five-day festival of understanding Buddhist thought and philosophy.
Union Minister for Culture Kumari Selja will inaugurate the festival on 27 April at Azad Bhavan of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Council president Karan Singh and director-general Suresh K Goel will also be present at the event.
The inauguration will be followed by ‘Buddhist Sacred Dances and Rituals‘ by a six-member dance troupe from Sri Lanka.
Prior to the inauguration of the main event, the exhibition ‘The Greatest Journey of Ideas: Spread of Buddhism‘ – a select range of photographs of Buddhist Art in 19 countries by art historian-filmmaker- photographer Benoy K Behl will be inaugurated the same day.
Ten films by Behl are also being screened as part of the Festival.
‘The Inner Path‘ is being organised by the Network for Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) and the Devki Foundation and is the first International Buddhist Festival in the country of his birth.
The festival, which is expected to become an annual feature, has been conceptualised by film critic and NETPAC president Aruna Vasudev, and is being held in partnership with filmmaker Suresh Jindal, chairman of the Devki Foundation.
Vasudev said the features, documentaries, and shorts are coming from Bhutan, Argentina, Korea, Sri Lanka, China, Japan and India.
Renowned directors and film personalities from these countries will be present. They include director Yoon Yong-jin of ‘Hal‘, Srilankan film star Thumindu Dodantenna of ‘Sankara‘, ‘Amongst the Clouds‘ by Edward A. Burger; the documentary ‘Peace is every step‘ by Gaetano Kazuo Maida, and renowned director Hector Kumarasiri whose film ‘Abinikmana‘ will have its world premiere here.
NETPAC had organised a festival of films on Buddhism way back in 1995. Vasudev added that ‘Trishagini‘ by Azad Bhavan which was screened in 1995 will also be shown, apart from the ten films by Behl, and Im Kwon-Taek‘s ‘Come Come Come Upwards‘.
Behl said he had been documenting the history of Buddhism and had made 12 films on the subject.
Starting from 27 April and slated to go on till 1 May, the festival at the Azad Bhavan (Indian Council of Cultural Relations) will present Buddhist philosophy and aesthetics through various creative forms – a dance performance, films, an exhibition of photographs, and selected art works, discourses, discussions and debates.
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Iron Man 3 to be made in China
MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company China, Marvel Studios and DMG Entertainment have decided to co-produce Iron Man 3 in China.
Under the arrangement, DMG Entertainment will make an investment in the production of the film, manage the Chinese co-production process and jointly produce the film in China.
“We look forward to working alongside DMG to bring Iron Man to the Chinese marketplace in a significant way. We are confident that Marvel’s stories will continue to be enjoyed by Chinese audiences, and adding a local flavour, and working with our new local partner, will enhance the appeal and relevance of our characters in China’s fast-growing film marketplace” said Marvel Studios general manager of operations and finance Rob Steffens.The Chinese portion of Iron Man 3’s production will run through DMG Entertainment in coordination with Marvel Studios’ production and creative teams. It will also distribute the film in China in collaboration with the China unit of the Walt Disney Company China.
“The popularity of the Marvel franchise globally creates a huge opportunity to deliver fans yet another action packed film,” said, The Walt Disney Company, Greater China managing director Stanley Cheung. “The co-production of Iron Man 3 in China is testimony to the importance of this audience to Disney and the local industry capability to deliver a blockbuster title,” he added.
Iron Man 3, the third film in the billion-dollar plus franchise from Marvel, stars a returning cast including Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle.
Iron Man 3 is produced by Kevin Feige and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Louis D‘Esposito, Charles Newirth, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard and Dan Mintz.The film, releasing in the US on 3 May, is being distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in all territories worldwide other than in China and Germany/Austria.
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Titanic storms China; grosses $88.2 million overseas
MUMBAI: Going by the grand opening of Titanic 3D in China, the film took on the role of No. 1 box office champ in the foreign theatrical circuit. It grossed $88.2 million from 9,889 venues in 69 overseas territories covering more than 100 countries.
In fact, the film tally of $58 million drawn from 3,500 sites in China accounted for the lion‘s share of the total weekend intake thus giving its distributor 20th Century Fox‘s its biggest opening gross in the market ever.According to 20th Century Fox , the film‘s six-day China bow was 32 per cent more than the total market gross of the original Titanic in China in 1998 of $44 million.
The epic love story with the background of the Titanic, now in its second round of foreign release also chalked up notable numbers in Russia ($2.75 million from 972 sites).
A No. 2 second weekend in the UK drew $2.9 million from 508 locations, while Italy contributed $2.7 million from 389 sites and France drew $2.6 million from 362 spots. Germany came in with $2.2 million from 497 locations.
The foreign gross total for Titanic 3D stands at $146.4 million over two rounds, which, when combined with the original‘s overseas run, puts the offshore total tally at $1.4 billion. Worldwide, Titanic has pushed past the $2 billion mark.
Opening at just about half the total of Titanic 3D was Universal‘s Battleship based on a Hasbro naval combat game about sea warfare with an alien armada. Debut weekend take from 26 offshore markets came to $58 million collected from 4,950 situations. The film ranks No. 2 on the weekend.
Also opening on the foreign circuit on the weekend was Lionsgate‘s The Cabin In The Woods. Playing at some 800 situations in four markets, the horror film grossed an estimated $3.4 million with a No. 3 bow in the UK providing $2.5 million from 412 screens.
Third on the weekend was Warner Bros.‘ Wrath of the Titans, the foreign circuit‘s box office champ for the prior two weekends. This time the 3D action fantasy co-starring Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes grossed $16 million from some 9,000 screens in 63 markets. -
Cadbury rolls out new TVC for Oreo
MUMBAI: Cadbury India has launched Oreo‘s second TVC, exploring the dynamics of a father and daughter relationship.
Conceptualised by Interface Communications, the TVC captures father-daughter bonding over Oreo. It is based on the insight that every girl wants to play her mother’s part while she is away. The TVC has interspersed this with the brand’s signature line ‘Twist, Lick and Dunk‘.
Kraft Foods director – snacking, India and strategy- South Asia Indo China Chandramouli Venkatesan said, “With Oreo, our constant endeavor is to promote family togetherness. Our first television campaign captured the important father-son relationship and received a very positive response from consumers. In our second television campaign, we have used an insight from a father-daughter’s relationship and used it to communicate the brand message. We believe that there will be an instant connect with the real life situation played out in the TVC and the consumers are going to love the new campaign.”
Interface Communications NCD Robby Mathew added, “The television campaign is built around the fondness that little girls have for playing their mother‘s role, the liberties they take with their dad and the dad‘s ‘compulsive need‘ to indulge and pamper his little princess. It explores the dynamics of a father and daughter relationship.”