Top 15 entertainment events in 2011
- By Zhang Rui
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China.org.cn, January 2, 2012
8, "The Flowers of War" controversies
This year saw the return of Zhang Yimou, one of China's most acclaimed directors. But whenever Zhang turns his hand to blockbusters, controversy is never far away, thanks in part to the tough guy behind him, Zhang Weiping, the executive producer of many of Zhang's films such as "Hero".
Billed as the "most expensive Chinese film ever" and starring Oscar-winning actor Christian Bale, Zhang's latest effort "The Flowers of War" became an instant hit in Chinese cinemas and raked in over 400 million yuan (US$63.5 million) thus far. But film's budget is 600 million yuan (US$94.5 million).
But a dispute regarding distribution rights for the film may set new standards for the Chinese film industry, according to insiders. The standoff reportedly began when New Pictures Film Corp raised the minimum ticket prices by 5 yuan (US$0.78) without negotiating with major theater chains in advance. Also, New Pictures also raised their box office percentage. On November 22, eight major Chinese theater chains co-signed a petition against New Pictures, asking it not to raise minimum ticket prices and their share of revenues. The petition threatened a boycott of the movie if New Pictures insisted on the changes.
After four hours of talks, word spread that a compromise had been reached. Insiders said that the minimum price and revenue proportion will eventually be raised but theaters could also apply to lower or adjust the minimum prices under special circumstances. It was predicted that production companies may adopt New Pictures' tactics to increase future box office takings for their films.
Opinions are divided on the film itself, with some critics hailing it as Zhang's finest film in ten years, while others disagree.
Zhu Dake, a professor specializing in cultural criticism at Tongji University in Shanghai, published a scathing commentary which pushed director Zhang and his film into the center of a new storm. The strongly worded piece lashed out against Zhang's film for selling pornography, violence and the nation's traumatic history merely for the sake of viewing figures. "The movie has turned a political event into a love affair, distorting a bloody war into a sexual spectacle and exploiting national anguish for commercial interests," Zhu wrote in his commentary piece .Zhu also described Zhang's film as a work of "pornographic patriotism," and a severe betrayal of the country's historical values.
"The Flowers of War" tells the story of Chinese prostitutes who volunteered to replace university students in order to satisfy invading Japanese soldiers in 1937, during the notorious Nanjing Massacre.
Read more:
• 'Flowers of War': A dark fairy tale
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