Jack Ma: Oscar winner 'Green Book' is a simple but inspiring film

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Having grabbed the Best Picture at the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday, "Green Book" is preparing for its nationwide debut in Chinese cinemas this week.

The Universal Pictures film has already been in limited release.

Business tycoon Jack Ma was spotted sitting among the audience watching the movie in a Beijing cinema.

Ma said he has already watched the film three times, adding that it offers hope and warmth to the society.

"Our world still has a lot of problems," he said. "It is sometimes cruel and is bothered with troubles and violence, and yet what we could learn from the film is that humanity still makes us feel warm. This is what a good film brings us."

Jack Ma watching "Green Book" in limited release in Beijing on Monday. /VCG Photo

He also shared his feelings on film production, saying that a good film should not necessarily cost tons of money and does not have to be earthshaking.

"The film tells only a simple story, but it has told a lot more behind the scenes," he said. "We are not earning the world with fists, but dignity."

Alibaba Pictures is a co-producer of "Green Book" and the company announced through its Sina Weibo account that it is the first internet film company that has co-produced an Oscar Best Picture film.

"I believe only true passion could help to produce a good film. You need to love films and what you've been doing, not the vanity it could bring for you," said the Alibaba Group chairman. "I believe the Chinese films are not that far away from Oscars."

US actor Mahershala Ali and US actor Viggo Mortensen celebrate the award for Best Picture for the movie "Green Book" during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

The e-commerce tycoon also vows that the Alibaba Pictures would not only continue to participate in introducing such films to the Chinese audience but will learn from them and produce films like them.

"Green Book" is a road trip drama set in 1962, when racial discrimination was still pervasive in the U.S. It is about the friendship between African American pianist Don Shirley and his Italian American driver and bodyguard Tony Vallelonga, during their trip into the deep south of the country.

The film claimed the awards for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor and was the biggest winner at Sunday's Oscars evening.

Liu Chuanzhi, founder of Lenovo, one of world's largest computer makers, said on the same occasion that he loved "Green Book" because it focuses on the progressive and bright side of the world, providing lubrication to worldly troubles. "We need more movies like this to make the world a better place," he said.

The film will hit Chinese cinemas on Friday.

(With inputs from Xinhua.)