British media say China's box office slowdown comes from online movies: watching online saves money

British media said the demand for streaming video from movies and TV series has opened the door for a new generation of directors, such as 27-year-old Shen Chenyan. "I watch more online movies," said Mr. Wen, a 32-year-old medical worker in Beijing. He said that he rarely goes to the cinema these days. "Watching online movies saves money, and my job takes up most of my time."

British media said the demand for streaming video from movies and TV series has opened the door for a new generation of directors, such as 27-year-old Shen Chenyan.

According to a Reuters report on January 6, the actress ran through the factory and stabbed the knife into the chest of the zombie attacker. Director Shen Chenyan shouted "Very good!", Another scene from the thriller movie "Zombie Age" has also been filmed. The film is the latest locally produced film aimed at China's growing online audience.

The former cinematographer said he was willing to wait years for the opportunity to direct a traditional theater movie. He filmed "Age of Zombies" in an abandoned factory near Beijing, and supervised more than 100 cast members. "The number of online movies is increasing and the quality is improving, so this is a great opportunity to try some of my own ideas and realize my dream of becoming a film director," he said.

According to the report, although China is the world's second largest film market, the box office growth rate in 2016 was the slowest in a decade, and the prospects of theater operators are still worrying. In 2016, box office grew by only 3.7% year-on-year to 45.7 billion yuan (US$6.6 billion).

Slowing economic growth and a decline in foreign blockbusters were two of the many factors behind weak box office growth last year. In 2015, the box office of China movies soared, with an increase of nearly 50%.

"I watch more online movies," said Mr. Wen, a 32-year-old medical worker in Beijing. He said that he rarely goes to the cinema these days. "Watching online movies saves money, and my job takes up most of my time."

According to the report, for many years, in the strictly regulated China film industry, online filmmakers have largely kept a low profile.

Producer Liu Yongqi said: "When online movies first started to rise, you could do anything you wanted."

Reported that when the new film law takes effect in March, online films may face stricter censorship.

Filmmakers will have to submit scripts, accept approval, and obtain licenses before they can be distributed, screened and disseminated over the Internet and telecommunications or radio networks and television networks. However, some film industry insiders say that more regulation and removal of overly violent and bloody content may not be a bad thing.

Editor: yvette