China’s Box Office Malaise in Four Films

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

VOICES & OPINION

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

How China Perfected Middlebrow Cinema for Middle-Class Viewers

Cultural critics and audiences alike are growing tired of aggressively middling films, but the industry is showing no signs of slowing down.

Why China’s Mashup Musical Memes Are Losing Their Punch

Last month, the country’s irreverent ‘guichu’ artists recaptured the spotlight with satires of a self-styled tai chi master. It felt less like a revival and more like a last hurrah.

Shorter, Better, Faster: Can Miniseries Rescue the C-Drama?

After years of bloated, “water-injected” productions, a new generation of taut thrillers is revolutionizing Chinese television.

‘Lost In Russia’ and the Search for a Chinese Netflix

Chinese movie theaters complained when the film’s producers inked a deal with TikTok owner ByteDance, but the agreement isn’t likely to pose a threat.

How ’90s Kids Are Redrawing the Boundaries of Chinese Animation

China’s millennials are all grown up. The country’s animation industry is finally starting to adjust.