New China - 70 Years On: Shanghai plays integral role in rise of Chinese cinema
Updated 12:04, 16-Sep-2019
Now we continue with our exclusive series "New China" to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which falls on October 1st. Today we focus on the film industry. Shanghai is widely known as the birthplace of Chinese cinema with a history that dates back over a hundred years. CGTN's Lin Nan takes a look.
In the early 20th century, Shanghai was dubbed the "Hollywood of the East". The city has dabbled in cinema since the year 1896 when motion pictures were introduced to China. The first-ever screening of a motion picture was held in a private garden in Shanghai. Since then, the city has come a long way in cinematic feats.
LIN NAN SHANGHAI "The nation's first sound film and colour movie were both made in Shanghai."
Shanghai has been home to some of China's most influential film companies and famous movie stars. A number of classics were produced in Shanghai during the 1930s – an era that's been called the first "golden period" of Chinese cinema. And Shanghai's contributions continued to grow after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
LI ZHENLIN, DEAN FILM AND TV SCHOOL, SHANGHAI THEATRE ACADEMY "In the past 70 years, Shanghai has been leading Chinese cinema in terms of development, technology, and creativity. It has broken many records and produced a large number of film stars and industry talents."
China's appetite for movies has been fueled by a growing middle class. Within the past decade, the nation has become the second-largest movie market in the world after the United States.
LIN NAN SHANGHAI "Shanghai has ranked first in Chinese box office sales since 2016, with the highest number of cinemas and screens. China's first IMAX screen and LED screen were also unveiled here."
Shanghai continues to play a major role in movie industry – both inside and outside China. In 1993, the Shanghai International Film Festival was launched. Today, the event is known as one of the youngest yet biggest film festivals in Asia.
LI ZHENLIN, DEAN FILM AND TV SCHOOL, SHANGHAI THEATRE ACADEMY "Shanghai is becoming an international film center, and the Shanghai International Film Festival is providing a platform for film funding, copyrighting, exhibitions, and post-production."
China is estimated to become the world's largest film market by 2020, with Shanghai at the forefront of its growth. Lin Nan, CGTN, Shanghai.