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Chen Kaige’s war epic leads China’s box office during holiday
A stellar weekend for “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death”
Chen Kaige’s latest war film, “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death”, made a significant impact at the mainland China box office over the weekend. Despite the generally slow pace at the end of the National Day holiday week, the movie amassed an impressive RMB324 million ($45.6 million), capturing 26% of the screening sessions from Friday to Sunday.
Celebrating China’s national day with patriotic fervor
The film’s release coincided with China’s National Day celebrations, which commemorate the founding of the People’s Republic on October 1, 1949. “The Volunteers” is the second installment in Kaige’s patriotic trilogy, following the first part released during the same period last year. The film features a star-studded cast including Zhu Yilong, Xin Baiqing, and Zhang Zifeng, and has resonated strongly with Chinese audiences.
Box office performance and projections
According to ticketing agency Maoyan, “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death” accumulated RMB802 million in its first seven days. Projections estimate the film could finish its theatrical run with a total of RMB1.4 billion ($199 million), potentially placing it among the top ten highest-grossing films of the year in China.
While comparisons with last year’s performance are imprecise due to differences in release schedules and weekend alignment, this year’s National Day week outcomes were relatively subdued. The holiday week wrapped up with a $108 million box office total, significantly lower than the previous year’s highest weekend component of $168 million.
Other notable weekend performers
“Tiger Wolf Rabbit” followed closely, securing second place with $19 million garnered from 18% of the weekend’s screening slots. This crime drama has accumulated RMB339 million over six days, showcasing its strong appeal.
In third place, “Panda Plan”, featuring Jackie Chan, earned $14 million and hit a cumulative total of RMB197 million after six days. Its performance continues to demonstrate Chan’s enduring popularity in the Chinese market.
“High Forces”, starring Andy Lau, took fourth with RMB10.5 million, while “Bureau 749”, a sci-fi offering by Lu Chuan, captured fifth place with a weekend haul of $8.1 million. The sci-fi film now boasts a cumulative total of RMB350 million, reflecting a growing interest in the genre among Chinese audiences.
China’s yearly box office landscape
Despite solid performances by individual movies, China’s overall box office revenue has experienced a downturn this year. Total earnings have surpassed the $5 billion mark, yet remain significantly behind previous years. The year-to-date total stands at $5.17 billion (RMB36.7 billion), marking a more than 22% decline compared to last year’s $6.69 billion (RMB47.5 billion).
Reflecting on the trends
The box office trends suggest a diversification in audience preferences, with crime dramas, sci-fi flicks, and action-packed adventures sharing the limelight. Notable performances by films like “The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death” and “Panda Plan” illustrate how high-profile stars and patriotic themes continue to draw large crowds. However, the comparative decline in total earnings indicates a more cautious and selective audience, possibly influenced by broader economic factors.
Future outlook for Chinese cinema
As the year progresses, the Chinese film industry will be looking closely at upcoming releases to boost overall performance. With the winter holiday season approaching, industry insiders remain optimistic about potential blockbusters that could invigorate the box office.
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