Entertainment

Second fiddle

Hong Kong film industry enters second-tier
Apr 27, 2018 (WiC 406)

When Hong Kong actor Louis Koo, 47, accepted best actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards this month – his first time winning after multiple nominations – he exclaimed: “I have been thinking how we can all make Hong Kong film thrive. Hong Kong ...

A history of disaster

Fan Bingbing’s historical drama rejected by censors and fails to air
Apr 20, 2018 (WiC 405)

Hollywood has often been home to family success stories. There are the Baldwin brothers (Alec, Daniel, Stephen and William), the Afflecks (Ben and Casey) and the Olsen sisters (Ashley, Mary-Kate and Elizabeth). And needless to say, there are few ...

Ready to play (and pay)

Spielberg’s virtual reality movie proves a big hit with China’s online gamers
Apr 13, 2018 (WiC 404)

As a filmmaker, Steven Spielberg has always tried to strike a balance between more substantial material and more commercial fare – he made Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park in the same year, for instance – but lately, his ...

Primed for the Pacific

Chinese product placement reaches new heights in Legendary’s new film
Apr 6, 2018 (WiC 403)

Before Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro won Best Director at the Oscars for The Shape of Water, his love affair with movie monsters was already on full display in 2013’s sci-fi hit Pacific Rim. The film’s reception in ...

Out of Africa

Marvel’s Black Panther movie outperforms in China, surprising many
Mar 23, 2018 (WiC 402)

When Star Wars, The Force Awakens was released in China in 2015, there was controversy when the black actor John Boyega was shown in shrunken form in the promotional posters. Other non-white stars, including Lupita Nyong’o, were cut ...

Best foot forward

Having binged on televised singing contests, China turns to dance format
Mar 16, 2018 (WiC 401)

Until recently street dancing in China has been the domain of elderly ladies performing synchronised jigs in parks. Their antics have sparked debate over the improper use of coveted public space and the loud music that accompanies their routines. ...

Open to negotiation

One of China’s most commercially savvy stars hits a speedbump
Mar 9, 2018 (WiC 400)

For fashion houses looking to leverage the star power of celebrity, events like this week’s Academy Awards are heaven-sent. All the major brands spend years courting the top actresses and their stylists. Then they spend tens of thousands of ...

Holiday cheer

Cinema bosses celebrate as Chinese set Lunar New Year box office record
Mar 2, 2018 (WiC 399)

Before the high-speed train transformed China’s transport system, getting home to celebrate the Lunar New Year was no small feat for millions of the country’s migrant workers. A few travelled by plane, but the train was the most affordable ...

A little less bite

Popular food show goes stale in its third season
Mar 2, 2018 (WiC 399)

After a four-year hiatus, state broadcaster CCTV decided to revive its wildly popular food documentary series A Bite of China late last month. The series, which first aired in 2012, explores Chinese culture via the relationship ...

Monkey magic

Traditional tale set to feature once again over festive period
Feb 9, 2018 (WiC 397)

Asked to name the key monetary element of China’s Lunar New Year period most would cite the red envelopes known as hongbao (or lai see in Hong Kong). Literally billions of these packets circulate during the holiday as ...