TV & film

Chinese Women Cheer Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar Win

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

The 60-year-old’s achievements have led to discussion on the plight of China’s middle-aged actresses struggling to get work due to their age.

Ye Zhanhang

Hong Kong TV Company Deploys Stars as Salespeople on Taobao

The television broadcasting company is evoking nostalgia while trying to cash in on the mainland’s e-commerce livestream boom.

What Makes a Good ‘Three-Body’ Adaptation?

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

Ahead of Netflix’s version, two Chinese adaptations of “The Three-Body Problem,” one live-action, one animated, offer lessons in the importance and pitfalls of staying true to the text.

Kong Degang

How Streaming Went Mainstream in China

Streaming platforms have gone from marketing niche programs aimed at young Chinese to partnering with CCTV on some of the biggest releases of the year.

Wu Changchang

A Chinese Classic Gets a Lovecraftian Twist

By breaking the rules, animator Hu Rui breathed new life into China’s “tales of the strange.”

Chen Silin

The Filmmaker Confronting China’s Ultimate Taboo: Death

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

Many in China choose to keep serious illnesses to themselves in the name of “protecting” their relatives. But as director Siyi Chen explores in a new film, this secrecy can exact a heavy cost.

Pang Yuhong

Netflix, Disney, Amazon Sue Chinese App for Copyright Violations

Renren Video — the streaming service in question — has faced dozens of similar lawsuits over the years.

User Sues Chinese Streaming Giant iQiyi for Curbing Access

In his lawsuit, the user sought no compensation and said he only wanted the company to lift restrictions on screencasting content at higher resolutions.

A Hit On Screen, ‘The Wandering Earth 2’ Merch Now Flies Off Shelves 

The movie’s official licensor has sold merchandise worth nearly 122 million yuan ($17 million) in just over a week.

Yang Caini

Chinese TV Drama Sheds Light on Anti-Corruption 

“The Knockout” makes a rare attempt at critically examining the root of several ills that plague society.

How China’s Favorite Fantasy Realm Faded Into the Background

From “Water Margin” to “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” it was the setting of some of China’s best-loved works of fiction and fantasy. But does anyone still care about the “jianghu”?

Cai Yiwen

China’s Holiday Box Office Sees a Subdued Opening 

Film insiders say business is likely to pick up following the word of mouth publicity for movies like “The Wandering Earth” and “Full River Red.”

There’s Another ‘Three Body’ Adaptation. Are Audiences Still Interested?

The latest offering has emerged as the most popular series online a day after its release.

Chinese Video Streaming Sites Blasted for Excessive Charges

Video streaming platforms are facing an intense backlash online with many criticizing them for being profit-hungry.

Li Xin

China’s Supporting Actors Want Jobs

Amid dwindling production, TV and film actors are resorting to street vending and livestreaming to make ends meet.

New Chinese Animation Puts Modern Spin on Traditional Stories

“Yao-Chinese Folktales” is an eight-part series inspired by various traditional Chinese literature titles.

Luo Meihan

Web Series Revisits Hostels Serving as Refuge for Migrant Women

Some private hostels gave long-term shelter to women who needed a home without denting their income.

Wu Peiyue

China’s Dejected Youth Find a New Anti-Hero: a ‘Trashy’ Wannabe Rapper

Your questions, answered. In-depth interviews with the minds and makers shaping today’s China.

Q & A

Aspiring hip-hop star Big Sponge has few fans, fewer friends, and so little money that he has to collect recycling waste to make some extra cash. But his story — captured in the award-winning film “Trashy Boy” — has resonated with disaffected young Chinese.

Yuan Ye

China’s Box Office Malaise in Four Films

Ideology continues to rule the box office, but cracks in the facade are starting to show.

Han Fanghang

2022: A Bad Year for China’s Film Industry

Cinemas were banking on “Avatar: The Way of Water” to heal their pandemic-induced wounds, but that has turned out to be a disappointment, too.