The record-breaking box office success of animated movie Ne Zha 2 in Chinese cinema has led industry insiders to recognize the inexhaustible treasure trove of Chinese history and culture. However, some voices argue that overemphasizing national and cultural distinctiveness risks creating barriers, potentially hindering the internationalization of Chinese movies.
Scholars and industry professionals interviewed by Wen Wei Po stated that to further enhance Chinese cinema's box office appeal in overseas markets, narrative innovation and industrial refinement should be the key areas to breaking through. The primary focus, according to them, should be addressing the universality and relatability of content, while strengthening genre films favored by global audiences, improving narrative techniques, and elevating production standards.
Among the top 10 highest-grossing films worldwide, aside from Ne Zha 2, Titanic, and Inside Out 2, the rest are science fiction titles, often layered with themes like war, adventure, or romance. As the only film in the top 10 rooted in Chinese mythology, Ne Zha 2's low overseas box office share is partly attributed to its lack of "universal appeal."
This highlights a tension between international audience preferences and China's zeal for promoting its cultural heritage—a dichotomy yet to be reconciled in cinematic storytelling.
Cultural Expression in Need of Balance
Xiao Bo, founder of the Chinese Independent Film Foundation, noted in an interview, "Unlike Hollywood's dominant global market presence, Chinese cinema has yet to develop a distinctive international style."
He explained that Hollywood's strength lies in its mass-market, culturally neutral approach, easily digestible across borders. In contrast, China's emphasis on traditional culture creates significant cultural gaps. Chinese filmmakers, he argued, still need to refine their ability to contemporize and distill traditional themes, which remain a major barrier to global dialogue.
"We need cultural expression uniquely China's own," asserted renowned screenwriter Wang Hailin, who noticed that Chinese films still largely follow Western narrative structures and cinematic language. However, breakthroughs like Ne Zha 2 and The Wandering Earth—both heavy-industrial films—actively project Chinese worldviews, values, and ways of thinking, encouraging filmmakers to explore Eastern narratives. "Cinema must showcase China's philosophical perspectives," Wang emphasized. "This is critical for transitioning from a major film-producing nation to a global powerhouse."
Narrative and Creativity: Keys to Global Success
Zhao Weifang, deputy director of the film and TV research institute at the Graduate School of the Chinese National Academy of Arts, identified weak storytelling as a core issue constraining Chinese cinema.
"Our technical prowess in visuals and cinematography rivals Hollywood's, but narrative shortcomings are increasingly glaring," he said. Citing the film Operation Leviathan as an example, he praised its visual innovation but critiqued its underdeveloped plot. Similarly, the poorly received Creation of the Gods II faltered by shifting focus to a romantic subplot, deviating from audience expectations for the franchise. Even Tsui Hark's The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero suffered from formulaic storytelling. "Strengthening narrative foundations is essential to winning domestic audiences and gaining traction abroad," Zhao stressed.
Xiao echoed this view, noting that filmmaking is fundamentally a creative industry. "If Chinese filmmakers prioritize industrial catch-up over creative originality, they risk producing polished but hollow 'capacity waste.'"
Modernizing Traditional Cultural Aesthetics
With Hollywood's financial muscle and global distribution networks dominating markets outside China and India, industry experts emphasize the need for strategic adaptation. Hollywood excels at abstracting conflicts, prioritizing emotional resonance, and masking ideological agendas within commercial packaging—subtly reinforcing U.S. values.
Tao Ye, a professor at Jinan University's School of Arts/Pearl River Film Academy, pointed out that China's film industry remains in early-stage industrialization, with projects rarely designed for global audiences from inception. "Now that Chinese films are venturing overseas, we're confronting the challenges of creating globally minded content," he said.
Wang Hailin concluded, "Persistent investment and patience are what Chinese cinema needs most." Years of prioritizing quick profits have alienated audiences, and filmmakers and studios must adopt a long-term vision.
(Source: Wen Wei Po)
Related News:
Two Sessions 2025 | Preview: Movie & TV industry to embrace new momentum
'Ne Zha 2' opens to packed theaters in HK, over 58,000 viewers on first day
Comment