China’s authorities have new ideas for science fiction films with Chinese characteristics, but doubts abound
- New guidelines from China’s film authorities aim to boost the sci-fi film sector after last year’s smash hit The Wandering Earth
- Visual effects companies could benefit, but some experts question the ability of state initiatives to create better sci-fi
How can China replicate the broad success of last year’s The Wandering Earth, the country’s first major science fiction film that became a breakout hit? That’s the question that Chinese film authorities are grappling with as they push the domestic film industry to produce more sci-fi blockbusters.
But the area where it could have the most impact is visual effects, also known as VFX. The document says China’s existing policies for encouraging the development of the software and integrated circuit industries should be applied to developing VFX technologies.
“For me, it is amazing to see an official post pointing at the need for us to improve the China sci-fi movie market,” said John Dietz, founder of BangBang Pictures, a Beijing-based VFX company providing services to domestic films. “If the China film market can get national support, that gets me incredibly excited for the next five to 10 years of filmmaking here in China.”
“Sci-fi films’ most famous stories are often based on evil corporations and failing governments,” said an industry insider who asked not to be named. “If all stories coming from China have to have ‘positive energy’, this will be really hard for local talent to develop interesting scripts.”
But others in the industry have expressed excitement about the news. They say government support could speed up coordination among different sectors in the film production industry.