In the New Middle Kingdom, cinema in general is politics by other means, and in particular it is another means to glorify President Xi

 «The Communist Party wants to use film as an ideological tool: it has tightened its control over the country’s movie industry, demanding that storytellers “eulogise the party, the motherland, the people”. Films must be made with “ethics and warmth” and offer a “trustworthy, lovable and respectable image of China”.

In short, the party wants more movies like “Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms”, the winner of the Golden Rooster for Best Feature Film this year. The fantasy epic dramatises the battles of kings and spirits in ancient China. State-affiliated film groups say it is an example of how movies can promote cultural self-confidence in line with Xi Jinping Thought, the philosophy of China’s leader, which every schoolchild is required to study. (...)

The Communist Party wants to use film as an ideological tool: it has tightened its control over the country’s movie industry, demanding that storytellers “eulogise the party, the motherland, the people”. Films must be made with “ethics and warmth” and offer a “trustworthy, lovable and respectable image of China”.

In short, the party wants more movies like “Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms”, the winner of the Golden Rooster for Best Feature Film this year. The fantasy epic dramatises the battles of kings and spirits in ancient China. State-affiliated film groups say it is an example of how movies can promote cultural self-confidence in line with Xi Jinping Thought, the philosophy of China’s leader, which every schoolchild is required to study. (...)

In the past, indie films made without state approval could be shown only at private screenings within China and at international festivals. But in 2016 China passed a new law requiring all films to obtain permits, regardless of whether their makers planned to distribute them abroad, in Chinese cinemas or online. Anyone involved in producing a film without a permit could be fined and banned from the industry. That has made it much harder for independent film-makers to find actors, crew and financial backers.

As a result, most of China’s top actors, directors and producers have chosen the more straightforward option. Many are prepared to self-censor, or to lend their talents to the party’s propaganda efforts, if it means their work gets a nationwide release. (...)»

Excerpt from «Two film awards reveal the battle for the future of Chinese cinema»