#artificial intelligence
The Chinese search giant has been working on its own AI technology for years and is reportedly preparing to launch its answer to ChatGPT this March Read More
In recent years, Chinese science fiction has undergone a renaissance. Actually, more like a reinvention — even though Chinese authors have been writing sci-fi tales since the early twentieth century, various political movements have pushed back on the genre throughout its history.
But nowadays, with mainstream sci-fi smash hits such as The Wandering Earth and The Three-Body Problem, could sci-fi become a mainstay genre in China? Its government certainly seems to think so.
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A document entitled “A Few Opinions on the Promotion and Development of Science Fiction Movies” was published on August 7 outlining plans to create a robust sci-fi film industry and, more importantly, “push our country from a movie power to a movie superpower.”
The statement was released by the China Film Administration, which is housed under China’s Central Publicity Department, and the China Association for Science and Technology, a group of scientists and scientific organizations.
The goals of the movement are to “study and implement Xi Jinping’s ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics,’ establish a humanity-centered creative direction […] highlight Chinese values, pass on Chinese aesthetics, establish the present age of Chinese innovation […] promote a scientific consciousness,” the document adds.
As Rebecca Davis points out in Variety, the recommendations themselves are a combination of concrete steps (using sci-fi movies as part of science education, setting up a national sci-fi screening alliance) and conceptual measures to transform the genre into a vehicle for promoting China’s scientific values on a domestic and global scale.
Chinese science fiction stories have already demonstrated potential on the world stage: Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem novel was famously recommended by President Barack Obama and has inspired countless TV and film adaptations. Yet this new strategy may well experience a few bumps as it attempts to get off the ground.
Frant Gwo’s massively successful The Wandering Earth quickly became the country’s third highest-grossing movie of all time. However, another attempt at a sci-fi blockbuster, Shanghai Fortress starring “little fresh meat” star Luhan, was so badly received that the director apologized for it on social media.
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Whether or not a simplistic mixture of CGI effects and nationalist messaging will win over domestic, let alone international audiences, therefore seems far from certain.
#artificial intelligence
The Chinese search giant has been working on its own AI technology for years and is reportedly preparing to launch its answer to ChatGPT this March Read More
#Film
#Chinese cinema
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#Food
#Chinese American
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