Experts Say Universal Themes and Appeal Key Elements of Co-productions

Foreign and domestic film producers want good stories with universal themes and appeal in future film co-productions, insiders said at yesterday\'s industry summit "Creating the DNA of Co-production".

China produced a total of 526 films last year and its movie market has proved to be one of the world\'s fastest growing after box office takings hit more than 10 billion RMB in 2010.

"The booming market is expected to attract a big number of foreign film companies and production teams to work with Chinese filmmakers in the next three to five years." said Nansun Shi, Chairman of Film Workshop, at the Shanghai International Film Festival.

Christopher J. Dodd, Chairman and CEO of MPAA/MPA, said the amazing Chinese film market would encourage more and more Hollywood studios to build partnerships with its film companies.

However, professionals admitted that a challenge for filmmakers would be to produce works that overcome cultural differences and win audience acceptance both at home and abroad.

E. Bennett Walsh, producer of Kill Bill, said the workforce and amazing locations in China had great appeal to Western film directors, however it was still important to make careful decisions about co-productions.

Walsh said that not all scripts and stories were appropriate or deserving of a co-production. He noted that in addition to the right story, Western and Chinese producers need to share risks and budgets during the filmmaking process.
Julien Ezanno, head of International Coproduction at CNC, said Chinese movies were gaining increasing popularity in France where every year about 10 to 20 were screened.

"We also offer financial support for the screening and distribution of excellent foreign and Chinese movies in our country." Ezanno said.