Chinese Movies Overseas: Demand grows for Chinese independent cinema

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For decades, China's independent cinema had little budget and was limited to a niche audience. In fact, most works were only screened at international film festivals and were not released within China. But that trend seems to be changing. CGTN's Miro Lu talks to filmmakers and observers at the Singapore International Film Festival about the development of China's arthouse cinema.

Chinese indie filmmaker Bi Gan's latest offering "Long Day's Journey Into Night" is by no means a commercial film. And yet, it has all the elements of one - a big budget, an international co-production, A-list stars and 3D special effects.

Like Bi Gan, there is a new wave of indie filmmakers in China who are looking to tap the burgeoning movie market. They are open to submitting their films for censorship and modifying their style of storytelling so that they can attract investment and hit the big screen.

LI LIN WEE SINGAPOREAN FILMMAKER "I feel like the younger generation of Chinese filmmakers are inspired by these trailblazers and they feel more empowered to tell authentic stories. I think it's a clever balance where they have to balance between helping the film get made and also being able to express themselves in an authentic way."

MIRO LU SINGAPORE "After struggling to find their voice in a big budget dominated market, Chinese indie films have started to get a foothold over the last few years. An increase in the audience's appreciation of arthouse cinema led to the breakout success of several non-commercial films."

For someone who's been following Chinese films for decades, David Lee witnessed the growth of China's arthouse films.

DAVID LEE, VICE CHAIRPERSON SINGAPORE FILM SOCIETY "China is opening up and welcoming more different kinds of content. Again going back to, because the market is so huge, audiences crave for more, for difference, for diversity."

International film festivals are vital platforms for indie filmmakers to gain recognition. Singaporean film director Anthony Chen found success with his debut feature, Ilo Ilo, which won several awards at international film festivals several years ago.

ANTHONY CHEN SINGAPOREAN FILMMAKER "Festivals around the region or around the world, they are there to discover young talent. They are there to showcase the voices of filmmakers that perhaps without these festivals might not have been discovered."

As China's film industry rapidly matures, so do the tastes of its moviegoers. With Chinese audience looking for more quality stories, independent filmmakers may achieve both critical and commercial success in China. Miro Lu, CGTN.