Gordon Chan talks innovation in China's film industry

The number of imported films from Hollywood is set to increase this year in China from 20 to 34. That means almost every half month, there is one Hollywood film hitting the screens. It's a challenge to China's film industry. So what does it need to gain a competitive edge? CCTV reporter Jin Jiabo interviewed the Chairman of HK film awards.

In 2012, the box office in China recorded 3 billion US dollars, 30% more than its previous year. The quality of Chinese films is improving. Some lower cost movies earned more than Hollywood films. But when it comes to international influence, all of the top 10 global best selling films were made in Hollywood. US films raked in an income from overseas of 25 billion dollars, while Chinese films - only 200 million.

Crucindo Hung, Chairman, HK Motion Picture Industry Assoc. Ltd, said, "When I went to a film festival in the U.S, the director of Star War discussed with me about why China's film are not as welcomed in the world, and can't earn as much. He said "Americans tend to tell a story set in the future, some disaster, using imagination and creativity. But in the Chinese mainland as well as HK, you like to tell about something from the past, tell your history. People are already familiar with your stories even before watching it." It is difficult for Chinese film makers to produce movies with aerospace, ET, star wars, futurist themes. It's really hard for us."

The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Awards Gordon Chan, says investors should leave more innovation space for directors.

Gordon Chan, Chairman, Hong Kong Film Awards, said, "A film's director is important, and should shine with individual character. In China, most film investors are film lovers, not professional investors. They all have their own opinions to manipulate the director. So when we talk about innovation, investors carry more responsibility than screenwriters. Investors should not merely focus their ambition and sight on short term benefits. In Hollywood, investors only care about one piece of paper in the proposal, instead of the whole script. After the market evaluation, they would leave it to the directors."

Gordon Chan also advocates change in the concept of film localization in people's mind.

Gordon Chan, Chairman, Hong Kong Film Awards, said, "No film industry would be booming without its own root. But when you say localization, I am concerned it may imply anti-foreign. Hollywood is good at absorbing others. For example they are interested in Hong Kong's swordfights, so they incorporate it into their visual effects. You might end up seeing Hong Kong elements in the new series of Superheroes. Localization for them is to localize others. Without this attitude, China's film industry would not survive."