TV & film

tv-&-film

A Look Back at the History of Chinese Stand-Up

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

VOICES & OPINION

The art form, originally a Western import, has had its share of ups and downs in China.

Teng Wei

‘Upstream’: The Delivery Rider Drama That’s Dividing China

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 highly anticipated new movie promised to highlight the struggles faced by China’s gig workers. Many say it has failed to deliver.

Dominic  Morgan

China’s Film Industry Rocked by Summer Box Office Slump

A string of summer blockbusters have woefully underperformed this year, sparking fears for the Chinese film industry’s long-term future.

Ye Zhanhang

With AI, China’s New Hit Dramas Are Virtually Writing Themselves

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

More and more of China’s ultrashorts are now being crafted entirely by AI, from script to special effects. But as the technology advances, concerns about creativity and authenticity continue to grow.

Li Xin

Lin Liuhan

China Makes More Films Accessible for Blind People

Several of this year’s summer blockbusters include audio description for blind and visually impaired cinemagoers, as China’s film industry begins to embrace accessibility.

Li Miaoran

Chinese Cinemas Plan to Livestream Paris Olympics

Cinemas in several cities will screen the Games live on the big screen, but there are concerns about low ticket sales — and drunken fans.

He Qitong

Remembering Hong Kong’s ‘Queen of Swords’

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

MULTIMEDIA

Cheng Pei Pei, a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of “wuxia” martial arts films, died Wednesday at the age of 78.

Zhou Zhijian

Ding Yining

China’s Movie of the Summer Is a Dark Satire on Tiger Parents

Comedy ‘Successor’ has touched a nerve in China with its tale of ambitious, controlling parents that turn their son’s life into a version of ‘The Truman Show.’

The ‘Santi’ Aren’t Real

Netflix’s “3 Body Problem” translated Liu Cixin’s epic to the small screen — with one notable exception.

Emily Xueni Jin

Bilibili Bets Big on Booming Ultrashort Drama Market

The Chinese streaming platform has announced plans to release 20 “premium” ultrashort dramas this year, as the genre continues to move into the mainstream.

Celebrating 20 Years of the Asian New Talent Awards

The awards, organized as part of the recently concluded Shanghai International Film Festival, have offered young filmmakers a chance to shine.

Liu Qing

Eight Decades On, an Iconic Chinese Animation Gets a 4K Makeover

The 4K restoration of “Princess Iron Fan” at the Shanghai International Film Festival underscores the film’s historical importance as Asia’s first animated feature and its pivotal role in the development of Chinese animation.

For 2024 Film Festival, Shanghai Puts the Spotlight on Itself

This year’s edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival is being billed as a celebration of the city’s own culture and revolutionary history.

Ding Rui

Why China’s Hottest New Drama Is Dividing Female Viewers

Many in China are hailing “The Tale of Rose” as a step forward for female representation on screen. Others are dismissing it as out of touch.

It’s China’s Biggest New Sitcom. It’s Also 5 Minutes Long.

The new comedy “Take Me Home” has become a smash hit by reinventing premium TV for China’s version of TikTok.

China’s TV Hit of the Year Is a Drama About Kazakh Nomads

Set in China’s remote northwest, the mini-series “To the Wonder” is a smash hit with domestic viewers — and a rare example of a Chinese drama winning international recognition.

China’s Labor Day Box Office Hits Near-Record Highs

Increased ticket sales in smaller cities and an uptick in older audience attendance underscored a growing demand for family-oriented films during the five-day holiday.

How Loveable Losers Took Over China’s Screens

They’re not hyper-competent or wealthy; some are barely functional. But these men are winning fans by doing their best, one day at a time.

Zeng Yuli

How ‘Farming Literature’ Became China’s Hottest Genre

Originally a male-dominated genre about territorial consolidation and conquest, farming lit is offering China’s women a fantasy world in which they don’t have to be perfect to succeed.

Zhou Min

China Introduces Sweeping New Controls Targeting ‘Ultrashort Dramas’

Cheesy soap operas divided into tiny, bitesize episodes have exploded in popularity in China in recent years. Now, authorities are moving to tighten supervision over the industry.