Fred Seibert’s FredFilms, China’s DeZerlin Entertainment Team Up for Chinese Talent Incubator (EXCLUSIVE)

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefBig-budget mainland Chinese propaganda film “1921” is set for distribution across a raft of English-speaking countries, including the U.S. and U.K.The film enjoyed a wide general release in mainland China from Thursday as part of the ongoing celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

Rebecca Davis editorTwenty-four years ago, on the evening that the U.K.

Rebecca Davis editorAfter months of build-up involving heightened censorship, a propaganda blitz, and a flurry of patriotic film, TV and music content, the Chinese Communist Party at last celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding on Thursday.It marked the occasion with political speeches, a highly choreographed mass commemoration in Tiananmen Square, the broadcast of a jingoistic performance extravaganza featuring top celebs and the release of new propaganda blockbusters, among other

Rebecca Davis editorChinese propaganda film “1921” grossed $13 million on its opening day Thursday, outperforming debuts from Hollywood releases like “Cruella,” “A Quiet Place Part II” and “Peter Rabbit 2.”Patriotic titles “1921” and “The Pioneer” kicked off China’s summer season with a nationalist splash with Thursday premieres.

John Cena is revealing the tactics he used to keep the identity of his “F9” character under wraps.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefFrance- and Dubai-based sales agency Cercamon has picked up international rights to Chinese crime drama “Streetwise,” which will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, in the Un Certain Regard section. Before that, Cercamon has released a trailer.The film (aka “Gaey Wa’r”) is the debut feature effort of Na Jiazuo, who is a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy and had previously directed shorts.

Vivienne Chow Rom-coms and crime stories dominated submissions to the first Chinese-language scriptwriting competition co-presented by Taiwan’s Studio76 and MediaCorp in Singapore.Unveiled at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest last year, “Rising Stories” received 520 submissions, far higher than the 100-150 organizers had anticipated, Studio76’s CEO and managing partner Dennis Yang told Variety.

EXCLUSIVE: Zack Stentz, writer of blockbusters Thor and X-Men: First Class and creator of Netflix’s Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, is teaming up with producer Geoffrey James Clark (The 2nd) to launch production company Electric Brain Entertainment.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefBeijing- and Amsterdam-based sales agency Fortissimo Films has added to its Cannes slate feature-length Chinese documentary “Keep Running.” It will be first pitched to distributors during the Cannes Market.The picture tracks a team of teenagers form underprivileged backgrounds who live in Gen He, the coldest part of China, and run every day despite the harsh circumstances.It is the first full-length picture directed by Sun Getting, who previously made TV series

Colosseum-esque exhibition currently boasts 433 million views on the Chinese media platform Weibo. In the shocking footage of the show — titled “Tuoling Legend,” or “The Legend of Camel Bell” — wolves can be seen pursuing performers across the stage sans any leashes or safety harnesses.

Rebecca Davis editorOne of the most prominent Chinese propaganda films of the year is set for a flashy, state-sanctioned premiere as the opening night selection of the Shanghai Intl. Film Festival on Friday.

The story of Vincent Chin’s 1982 murder, which has been long overlooked in American history, will come to television.

On Sunday’s episode of “Last Week Tonight”, John Oliver brought to light the little-known story of the Chinese survivors of the Titanic tragedy.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent“F9,” the latest installment of Universal’s action-packed “Fast & Furious” franchise, is the teased “planetary blockbuster” heading to the Cannes Film Festival, Variety has learned.Starring Vin Diesel, John Cena and Michelle Rodriguez, the highly anticipated movie is already a major international B.O. milestone, having grossed over $250 million worldwide, including $203 million in China (as of June 6).

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