-
AsianFanatics Spotlight News
- » china entertainment news
China: TV Limits May Hit the Web
Jan 12 2012
Restrictions on the broadcasting of television historical dramas in China that went into effect on Jan. 1 may soon also extend to Web sites, according to a report released this week by Marbridge Consulting, a business analysis company.
The report said that the agency regulating film and television, commonly known as Sarft, had said that as of Jan. 1, at least half of any satellite television network’s dramas must be set in the modern day.
Last year, the agency expressed disapproval of time-travel shows, which often involve a modern-day protagonist’s being propelled back into a dynastic era.
The Marbridge report said that of more than 50 dramas in production at Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang Province, more than 30 historical costume dramas had halted because of the new restrictions.
Sarft’s clampdown on historical dramas is occurring at the same time that it is limiting reality television programs, which it considers “vulgar.” The actions are part of a much wider push to better control culture that was announced last October by Communist Party leaders.
Source: NY Times
Chinese Retailer Casts Doubt on TV Investigation
Jan 12 2012
SHANGHAI — Last July, China’s biggest state-run television broadcaster accused a luxury retailer named DaVinci Furniture of passing off low-quality goods from a factory in southern China as premium imports from Italy and other foreign lands.
Now, DaVinci has pointed the cameras and microphones back at the broadcaster, according to a report in current issue of the weekly magazine Caixin. The magazine is regarded as one of the most authoritative business publications in mainland China.
DaVinci says that it has video and audio evidence that the big state broadcaster, China Central Television, known as CCTV, distorted and even fabricated evidence against DaVinci, and that people close to the television program might have tried to extort money from the company.
The CCTV broadcast in July, on the program “Weekly Quality Report,” became a public relations fiasco for DaVinci, which was founded in Singapore and had established itself in China as a leading retailer of European brands like Versace and Fendi Casa.
It was also a coup for CCTV, which demonstrated that the official propaganda arm of the Communist Party could also engage in muckraking journalism using hidden cameras.
But according to Caixin, Doris Phua, DaVinci’s chief executive, said that after the initial television allegations against DaVinci last July, she agreed to wire about $150,000 to the Hong Kong bank account of a middleman whom she said she understood to be acting on behalf of the CCTV journalist involved in the investigative program.
Ms. Phua said the payment had been intended to stop the state broadcaster from continuing to accuse DaVinci, Caixin reported. She also said that the middleman once asked her to pay the CCTV journalist directly, according to Caixin. DaVinci said it had reported the incidents to the Chinese police, CCTV ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
China TV Grows Racy, and Gets a Chaperon
Jan 12 2012
Wang Peijie’s idea for what would become the most-talked-about show in China was simple: Throw a spotlight on this country’s bright young things as they court each other on stage to pop music and audience applause.
The men boasted of their bank accounts, houses and fancy cars. The women were svelte and sassy, dousing suitors with acid putdowns. But mixed into the banter were trenchant social issues that urban Chinese from their 20s to 40s grapple with, if not always so publicly: living together before marriage, the unabashed pursuit of wealth or the government’s one-child policy.
“Through this show, you can tell what China is thinking about and chasing after,” said Mr. Wang, a veteran television producer.
The show, “If You Are the One,” broke ratings records in the first half of 2010. More than 50 million people tuned in. The sauciest contestants became sensations — one aspiring actress famously rejected a man offering a bicycle ride by saying, “I’d rather cry in a BMW.” The show attracted huge interest from Chinese overseas; some students on American campuses even filmed their own versions. It increased the nation’s cultural influence, which China’s leaders crave.
But reality television proved too real for the censors. Disturbed by the program’s revealing portrait of Chinese youth and the spread of copycat shows, they threatened to cancel it. Producers raced to overhaul the show. They brought on older contestants and added a third host, a matronly professor from the provincial Communist Party school. “We’ve had more restrictions on expressions on the show, to eliminate remarks that could have negative social impact,” the wiry Mr. Wang, 45, said one morning as dozens of screens flickered behind him in a control room here in Jiangsu Province.
Then regulators formulated a ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
Yang Mi and Hawick Lau confirm they’re dating
Jan 09 2012
Source: cfensi
2011 was the year for Yang Mi. From the most influential drama of the year to the highest grossing horror film in Chinese history all the way to a musical debut, the actress finally reached a top after 20 years in the industry (she’s only 25). To top it all off,
According to Yang Mi, the two became good friends during the filming of upcoming drama Ruyi. She then introduced him to her company, and he ended his long independent actor status. Hawick Lau recently called Yang Mi in a surprise phone call on Happy Camp, and the two filmed a MV together for Yang Mi’s new album.
In an interview published today to Southern Metro Weekly, Yang Mi said that previously, she always thought she was too busy for a relationship, but found new confidence in Hawick Lau.
“To be honest I’ve thought about dating, but never really wanted to date because I felt like dating is a waste of time. I’m too busy with work and has been afraid I won’t have time to face a relationship, but you can find confidence and security on this person. It’s really hard for me to trust someone, and he can make me trust him,” said Yang Mi. “This circle is very fast-paced and superficial, and many, including me, have gotten bad habits. But when I’m working with him, I’ll reflect on myself. I’ve never met someone who could make me do that. ”
The publishing of the interview was followed by a (article cut to save bandwidth)
Source: QQ
Translations by xbunnylicious @ asianfanatics
Many Hong Kong artists that have disappeared from the Hong Kong industry are finding much success up north.
After rumored couple Alex Fong and Stephy Tang's contracts expired with Gold Typhoon last year, they both decided to head north. Earler, Stephy joined Beijing's Hai Run Company for ¥10 million. Yesterday she accepted a phone interview and said happily, "My income has indeed increased a bit ever since I started working in mainland. I'm very confident with the room for development in mainland. My company has already accepted two dramas for me." Alex Fong expressed that he has earned over ¥10 million working in mainland last year, "All money is hardly-earned. I've just started and will continue to work hard this year."
Former TVB artist Hawick Lau's popularity is soaring in the recent years as he continued to worked in mainland. He earned ¥250,000 for each episode and multiplying by the five dramas he was in last year, he has earned well over ¥30 million. He revealed that he has already accepted four dramas this year.
Singer Don Li has settled in Beijing for two years now and in addition to being invited to be a record producer, he also starred in two mainland dramas 《江南傳奇十五貫》 and 《浪漫滿廚》. Adding on mainland promotions and functions, he earned more than ¥4.4 million.
courtesy of singtao.com
courtesy of mingpao.com
The Tsui Hark directed 3D wu xia epic FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE (LUNG MOON FEI GAP) was released yesterday. Originally the Hong Kong release was to be the Cantonese version, but because earlier during the professional screening film critics, directors and viewers all would like to watch the original Mandarin version. The film company in accordance to the audience demand released the Mandarin version starting today. The Mandarin version will have Chen Kun and Chris Lee Yuchun's real voices. Lee Yuchun joked, "In one scene Kwai Lun-Mei and I fought over Brother Kun, I in particular got to slap him. That slap was especially loud. With my real voice I believe it would be very realistic."
The film's six leads Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), Zhou Xun, Kwai Lun-Mei, Chen Kun, Lee Yuchun and Mavis Fan Hiu Huen all stated that this film was the most difficult. Several beauties all became "wind eating beauties". Zhou Xun said, "The shoot took place under below freezing temperature. Even my hands and the sand under my feet were frozen. My head and ears ached. Sand storms also kept appearing at the location. As soon as cameras rolled, the wind making equipment blew. I couldn't even open my eyes."
Chen Kun and Lee Yuchun in the film had the most fight scenes and every time they wielded their weapon they ate sand. Although they suffered "abuses" at the hands of Tsui Hark, everyone still appreciated him. Chen Kun said, "this time I played both the good guy and ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
Zhou Xun Hopes To Become Female Stephen Chow
Dec 22 2011
courtesy of on.cc
Lau Ching Wan, Zhou Xun, and Yan Ni yesterday attended THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) Beijing press conference. Director Derek Yee Tung Sing revealed through video that he originally intended to bring the audience a serious comedy for the whole family. Ching Wan was very supportive on this position because he thought that life now has become too stressful. Comedy during the New Year could provide some relief. Zhou Xun who has always longed to make a comedy also hoped that
she would become a "female Stephen Chow Sing Chi".
At the event the final trailer has also been shown. Wai Jai displayed fully his magician ways as a variety of tricks large and small appeared. Much of the story was fun, like the comedy filled seduction between Ching Wan and Zhou Xun; Yan Ni's bathing scene also led to a lot of laughs, Ching Wan's "acrobatic" scene also appeared and in the end Wai Jai's sly wink hid a lot of mystery within his mischief.
Source
Actor Christian Bale landed the starring role in the Chinese film The Flowers of War due to Steven Spielberg who recommended Bale to director Zhang Yimou.
According to Hollywood Reporter, Steven Spielberg had a hand in actor Christian Bale landing the role of John Miller in the Chinese film The Flowers of war, directed by Zhang Yimou. After The Flowers of war premiere in China on Sunday, Yimou told reporters that it was Steven Spielberg who recommended Christian Bale for the starring role. “I asked Steven Spielberg, who is a friend,” said Yimou, “to read the English script and recommend actors.”
One of those suggestions was Bale, who had starred as a child actor in Spielberg's own turn directing in China, 1987's Empire of the Sun, also based on a novel set during Japan's World War II occupation of eastern China.
Spielberg then encouraged Bale to work with Zhang. "He passed [Zhang] Yimou a letter to give to me, and it said, 'do it.'"
With a budget of $100 million, the film is the most expensive ever made in China, as much as last year's top domestic box office performer, Feng Xiaogang's Aftershock, grossed. Despite that, Zhang brushed off any suggestion that it put greater commercial pressure on him for the film to perform.
"Directors shouldn't think about these things. It prevents you from making a good movie," Zhang said.
The two-time Oscar-nominated director similarly dodged a question about whether Flowers was an attempt to finally win that trophy. "Winning an Oscar was not the goal. We only wanted to create good art and make a good film," he said. "I don't really understand the Oscar process much, so it's up to luck."
Zhang, who also directed the opening ceremonies of the ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
Actress's dress slips off on red carpet
Dec 13 2011
At the recent 2011 Esquire China Men of the Year Awards in Beijing, television actress Sun Feifei's (孙菲菲) white dress sash was stepped on by event host Fang Ling (方龄), which resulted in her dress falling off and her skin-colored bra being exposed. The incident echoes last week's Blue Vein Boob-gate, involving fellow C-lister Liu Yuxin's usage of a pushup bra about four sizes too small for her in front of paparazzi.
From the looks of it, there is something suspect about the gestures and expressions on Sun's face, as she reacts to the gifts her mother (or her surgeon) bestowed to her being semi-exposed in front of a horde of cameras.
The comedic splaying of Sun's arms and her poorly conveyed mock-surprise, along with the exaggerated look of oops on Fang's face, give us the impression that the whole thing was a planned publicity stunt.
Which we can surely understand. Given that all the boob-gloves seemingly came off in 2011, with a whole league of actresses striving to be noticed for the quality of their chest shape and sartorial framing (the reigning queen of this is Hunan TV host Liu Yan [柳岩]), Chinese celebrities will likely continue to keep showing off their treasure chests until the government drops the ban-hammer on the practice.
Some part of us wants to sympathize (in a totally non-partronizing fashion) with the Sun Feifei's and Liu Yuxin's of the world, who obviously smack of some desperation in their bid to get a little attention.
Sun, a graduate of the Beijing Dance Academy (alma mater of Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi) from Xi'an, will be 31-years-old in two months' time, and perhaps knows that revealing your cleavage with a falling-dress stunt is quite the savvy career move.
(article cut to save bandwidth)
'Flowers of War' goes truly global
Dec 10 2011
Hollywood leading man
In a globalized age, Chinese and American pop culture mix in unexpected ways. Taiwanese singers borrow from hip-hop and R&B. Locked-out NBA players join mainland basketball teams. And Batman — or, at least, the man who plays him — is called upon to complete an unlikely mission: save scores of Nanjing women from brutal Japanese soldiers.
In a sign of the growing East-West cooperation in filmmaking, Christian Bale, the on-screen incarnation of Bruce Wayne and his caped alter ego, is starring in "The Flowers of War," a $94-million movie opening Dec. 23 that is China's submission for the foreign-language Oscar this season.
Directed by
It also shows how that combination can pose challenges — particularly on the question of language. The film, the most expensive in China's history, contains dialogue that's about 60% Mandarin, with the rest in English.
"I didn't speak a word of English, so I really needed to trust Christian," Zhang said in Mandarin, via a translator.
For his part, Bale, who does not speak any Mandarin, said it was a difficulty they were able to overcome. "It's amazing how much ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
Parsetime: 0.13452 sec
4 queries