2012 smashes China box office
- Source: Global Times
- [23:27 November 18 2009]
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A scene in 2012. Photo: CFP
By Mao Renjie
Big-budget adventure and disaster film 2012 swept Chinese cinemas over its first weekend, with a box office of more than 80 million yuan ($11.72 million), according to statistics provided by the Beijing New Film Association. In sharp contrast, Chinese film My Airhostess Roommate, based on a popular Internet novel, only managed 800,000 yuan ($11,720) at the same time.
Directed by Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow) and starring John Cusack (Being John Malkovich), 2012 is about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells the story of how people manage to survive various disasters. While few films have achieved satisfying box office results after the National Day holiday, Chinese cinemas hold high expectations for the Hollywood import.
"We have devoted 80 percent of our screens to the film," the Beijing New Film Association told the Global Times. Despite this, some cinemas are not overly optimistic due to the dramatic drop in outside temperatures across much of China. "Sales are satisfying," the association added. "People still like to go out and watch blockbusters despite of the bad weather."
Facing a market often occupied by Hollywood blockbusters, producer of My Airhostess Roommate, Ling Ping, called on Chinese cinemas to schedule more screenings of local films. "Our film is only shown in the morning or at noon when there are fewer audiences," Ling explained. He added that he understood the profit pressures of cinemas, but said they should also ensure more variety on Chinese screens.
2012, brimming with scary special effects, has also stirred controversy surrounding film ratings in China. Comedian Hong Jiantao is at the center of the protesting crowd, writing on his blog that Chinese cinemas should include warnings before the film that it is not suitable for young audiences.
