China’s state-owned distributor China Film Group has announced plans to re-release a batch of half a dozen popular films in order to help kickstart the country’s exhibition sector and get it back on its feet after long closures due to coronavirus.
China Film Group on Tuesday detailed its selection of titles in a statement addressed to cinema operators and managers nation-wide. These will include local blockbusters “The Wandering Earth,” “Wolf Warrior 2,” “Wolf Totem,” “American Dreams in China” along with Lebanese film “Capernaum,” and American films “A Dog’s Purpose” and “Green Book”.
Cinemas will be able to keep 100% of the income from these re-releases as producers and distributors have agreed to forgo their typical 43% cut of the box office and donate it entirely to the country’s struggling cinemas.
CFG also recommends cinemas consider doing charitable, free screenings or low-cost screenings to benefit viewers and get people back in the door. Re-opened cinemas are sticking to strict disinfection and hygiene procedures to keep the virus at bay.
A second wave of films will be announced later with Japanese animation films potentially making the next list (a first time cinema release of Miyazaki’s classic “Spirited Away” in China was a surprise smash hit). “Spycies” and “Uncaged: 47 Meters Down” have also reportedly been provided to some cinemas, while Warner Bros. Pictures has hinted that a 4K version of the first “Harry Potter” film will be getting a cinema release there shortly.
Source: THR
