Chinese filmmakers seek collaboration with UK counterparts

One of the most senior members of China's surging film industry has vowed that China, in partnership with the UK, can take on Hollywood.

One of the most senior members of China's surging film industry has vowed that China, in partnership with the UK, can take on Hollywood.

One of the most senior members of China's surging film industry has vowed that China, in partnership with the UK, can take on Hollywood. Domestically, the Chinese film industry is on a high. But, that success is not mirrored internationally.

But, as Richard Bestic reports, the Head of China's Film Producers' Association says that could be about to change - with a little help from the British.

With the help of glossy productions like "The End of Killing", - a high-end historical drama - cinema ticket sales in China have leapt an impressive 30 per cent over the last year. Good news for the domestic industry, as movie fans choose films made in China over foreign imports.

However, speaking at the opening of the London Chinese Film Festival, Wang FengLin, the head of China's Film Producer's Association, told me the industry wants to build on its international reputation, in partnership with British film makers.

"Britain has a long tradition of film production. But both our countries have faced the same challenge - Hollywood. So, in order to overturn the dominance of Hollywood we need to work together and to use the resources from both countries. We want to see a greater sharing of industry skills and talents," said Wang Fenglin, Chairman of Chinese Film Producers' Association.

Chinese movies like "Finding Mr. Right" appear on the face of it to follow the Hollywood formula.

It's the ritual tale of a little rich girl, who discovers there's more to life than money when she follows the path of true love.

A plot that could be straight out of Tinsel Town... but indicative perhaps suggest marketing experts of the Chinese film industry's aims long term aims.

"Having a positive view of brand China is going to help business and indeed people throughout China," said John Geldart, author of "The Thoughts of Chairman Now".

"Soft power?"

"Soft power to a degree, but also I think there's an underlying long game they're playing to have an acceptable position in the world and on the world stage.'

In the world court of public opinion, the UK and China film industries will initially at least be regarded very much as a little and large co-production. China studying Britain's international movie production techniques and its distribution channels, while the UK will be eyeing the economic benefits of a blockbuster industry:

"The exciting thing is that it is just growing so, so fast. There were 4,000 new cinemas built in China last year alone, up to nearly 20,000 now. And it is predicted that it will reach up to 30,000 within the next couple of years," said Nick Farr, Grant Thornton accountants.

The upshot of the Chinese Film Festival in London, the largest in Europe, could be then a series of deals, arrangements and treaties with the effect of making Sino-British co-productions less of drama and more a movie-like romance.

So will Chinese cinematic muscle and British film ingenuity prove to be a marriage made in heaven? we'll see soon enough on a screen near you.