China's mediocre movies miss out at Cannes Film Festival
With large ticket sales certain in the domestic market, Chinese directors have little reason to take creative risks and stand out globally, some say
China is the world's second-largest film market, but its major productions are criticised as being out of step with global cinema currents.
They point to the nation's weak presence at this year's Cannes Film Festival, which opens today. China has only three entries, none of which are in the running for the prestigious Palme d'Or.
Critics say part of the problem is that mediocrity is rewarded at home. Domestic films, no matter the quality, usually earn millions of yuan, and the lure of easy money, coupled with censorship, ends up stifling creativity and critical perspectives.
Hong Kong-based critic Freddie Wong said films in China were tightly focused on profits. “They can still rake in more than 100 million yuan [HK$126 million] at the box office no matter how bad they are,” Wong said.
For instance, last year, the 3-D action flick Switch starring Andy Lau Tak-wah was deeply disliked by critics and movie-going audiences alike. Its poor quality became a selling point, however, and it eventually raked in 300 million yuan.
Wang Chao, who was an assistant director on Chen Kaige's Farewell My Concubine, is competing in Un Certain Regard section with his drama Fantasia.
Visual artist Huang Ran's 15-minute conceptual film The Administration of Glory was selected to compete in the short film category.