Chinese Cinema: Chinese films take center stage at New York festival

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Chinese stars and film-makers are in the spotlight at New York's Asian Film Festival. This year features more Chinese productions than ever. But, despite growing audiences, America is still struggling to embrace Chinese cinema. CGTN's Nick Harper reports from New York.

Chinese cinema, seldom in the US spotlight, is now center stage in New York. And Chinese movie 'Wrath of Silence' is certainly making noise at the city's Asian Film Festival.

The gritty noir thriller set in rural China revolves around the anti-hero mining magnate played by star Jiang Wu.

The celebrated actor received an Asian Star Award at the New York Film Festival for the intensity of his performance. But despite good reviews and favorable publicity, will English-speaking audiences see the movie Jiang believes language shouldn't be a barrier.

JIANG WU CHINESE ACTOR "I think all good movies have commonalities. No matter if they are Chinese or American movies, as long as they are good, people will appreciate and understand them."

Director Xin Yukun won acclaim in China for his debut crime feature, 'The Coffin In the Mountain' which made back its budget at the box office six times over. He thinks showing his second movie in New York presents an opportunity to widen the appeal of Chinese cinema.

XIN YUKUN DIRECTOR "I definitely believe this is an ongoing process. But the reason we bring this film to different film exhibitions is to show more of our foreign audience today's Chinese movies. People rarely have these kinds of opportunities to learn about China's culture. I feel like movies would be a great opening window."

This year's festival includes a broader range of Chinese films, including serial-killer thriller, 'The Looming Storm', and the comedic, 'Looking for Lucky'. Organizers say the focus on the Chinese mainland reflects exciting developments in cinema there.

SAMUEL JAMIER DIRECTOR, NY ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL "It's a little bit like this volcano that's about to explode and all types of things are coming out. And it's burning hot as well."

In China, cinema attendance is booming. Last year, the Motion Picture Association of America reported Chinese audiences accounted for almost a fifth of all global ticket sales.

In contrast, Canada and the U.S. box office takings hit a 22-year low.

The rise of streaming services like Netflix is allowing Americans more accessibility to foreign films. The festival though still struggles with negative preconceptions.

SAMUEL JAMIER DIRECTOR, NY ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL "There's a bit of a fear when it comes to Chinese films. I think the decades of anti-communism and the idea of the red scare, the red peril, it's still continuing. So when it comes to promoting, to showcasing in a fair way, Chinese films it's an uphill battle."

NICK HARPER NEW YORK "Movie-going and making-movie seems to be going through a golden age in China. But very few Chinese movies ever get seen by American audiences. This festival is aiming to change that - by raising the profile and more importantly the visibility of Chinese cinema. Nick Harper, CGTN, New York."