Ridley Scotts ‘Napoleon Sets China Theatrical Release
Director Ridley Scott's historical epic Napoleon will be released in cinemas in mainland China next month.
Apple's original films, produced in various territories in collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment, have been cleared to be imported into China and will be released on December 1, Sony said on Thursday.
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All films imported into China under the revenue-sharing regime are released through one of two state-owned distribution companies and not Hollywood studios. The studio's China office assisted and partially financed the marketing and advertising campaign.
According to Sony's synopsis, the film "details the rise and fall of iconic French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix." The film is set against the backdrop of a stunning, large-scale film production directed by legendary director Ridley Scott. The film depicts Bonaparte's relentless rise to power through the lens of his fascinating and volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, featuring extraordinary achievements in his military and political life. meaning. tactics against some of the most dynamic fight scenes ever seen... or filmed.
In North America, the film is rated R for strong violence, grisly images, sexual content and brief language. China has no official ratings system and films must be approved for audiences of all ages or none, although some exhibitors sometimes issue their own additional guidelines.
Hollywood films returned to China this year after a hiatus of more than two years that reflected COVID-related disruptions to film releases and tense bilateral political relations between China and the United States.
Import normality was restored last December with the release of Avatar: The Way of Water, and appears to have been driven in part by the need to revive China's exhibition sector after a year of extraordinary pain.
Imported Hollywood films usually get a daily slot during or immediately after the film's US and international screenings. And in many cases, they are notified several weeks in advance, making it possible to develop advertising campaigns.
"Napoleon" premiered in Paris, France, earlier this week. Reviews are mixed. The film will be released in North America and some international territories on November 22, before hitting Chinese cinemas eight days later.
Despite relatively favorable conditions, Hollywood films in the Middle Kingdom recorded almost no box office sales this year. Chinese cinema generated about $7 billion in box office revenue by 2023, according to consulting firm Artisan Gateway. The figure is up 78% compared to lackluster 2022 performance and down around 14% from the corresponding figure in 2019. However, local films clearly dominate, and the combined market share of imported films is less than 15 percent.
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