Low-budget comedy sets records in China
00:19 UTC+8 December 21, 2012
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A LOW-BUDGET comedy has set new box office records on Chinese mainland, attracting moviegoers with its simple style and hilarious performances.
"Lost in Thailand," which was made with a budget of less than US$5 million, earned US$50 million in its first five days after debuting on December 12.
Its first day saw earnings of US$5.9 million, the biggest opening in the history of Chinese film, according to statistics from entertainment research group EntGroup Inc.
Its weekly box office is estimated to have reached US$72 million as of Wednesday, also the highest for a Chinese film.
The film, a sequel to the 2010 movie "Lost on Journey," is expected to gross more than US$100 million during its run, a feat achieved by few Chinese movies.
Lead actor and director Xu Zheng said he did not expect such a great market response.
Wang Changtian, head of Enlight Media, which distributed the film, attributed the film's success to Xu and the performances of his fellow stars, Wang Baoqiang, Huang Bo and Tao Hong.
Huang first became known to Chinese audiences with his 2006 film "Crazy Stone," a film that helped clear the way for other low-budget films to achieve market success.
The strong performance of "Lost in Thailand" also pulled up domestic films' share of 2012's total ticket sales.
Domestic films accounted for about 54 percent of total ticket sales last year, but accounted for only 35 percent in the first six months of this year, as the government allowed an extra 14 US films to enter cinemas.
Noted playwright Ning Caishen said the film's plot, cast and publicity have made it the year's greatest "dark horse."
"Simple funny comedies are really too rare in the film market. Audiences are too hungry," said Zhengban Xiaodong, head of public relations at Sohu Video. He thought that the film is not so good as it is advertised.
"Lost in Thailand" tells the story of two company managers scrambling to obtain contract authorization from the company's biggest shareholder. Hilarity ensues when the duo travels to Thailand to search for the secluded shareholder.
"I want to watch the movie again. I'd rather laugh to death than wait to die on the so-called doomsday," an Internet user named "Ranx" joked on Weibo.
The Chinese film market is entering its busiest season, with dozens of competitive films heading to big screen, including "The Flying Guillotines," "The Last Tycoon" and Jackie Chan starring in "Chinese Zodiac 12."
"Lost in Thailand," which was made with a budget of less than US$5 million, earned US$50 million in its first five days after debuting on December 12.
Its first day saw earnings of US$5.9 million, the biggest opening in the history of Chinese film, according to statistics from entertainment research group EntGroup Inc.
Its weekly box office is estimated to have reached US$72 million as of Wednesday, also the highest for a Chinese film.
The film, a sequel to the 2010 movie "Lost on Journey," is expected to gross more than US$100 million during its run, a feat achieved by few Chinese movies.
Lead actor and director Xu Zheng said he did not expect such a great market response.
Wang Changtian, head of Enlight Media, which distributed the film, attributed the film's success to Xu and the performances of his fellow stars, Wang Baoqiang, Huang Bo and Tao Hong.
Huang first became known to Chinese audiences with his 2006 film "Crazy Stone," a film that helped clear the way for other low-budget films to achieve market success.
The strong performance of "Lost in Thailand" also pulled up domestic films' share of 2012's total ticket sales.
Domestic films accounted for about 54 percent of total ticket sales last year, but accounted for only 35 percent in the first six months of this year, as the government allowed an extra 14 US films to enter cinemas.
Noted playwright Ning Caishen said the film's plot, cast and publicity have made it the year's greatest "dark horse."
"Simple funny comedies are really too rare in the film market. Audiences are too hungry," said Zhengban Xiaodong, head of public relations at Sohu Video. He thought that the film is not so good as it is advertised.
"Lost in Thailand" tells the story of two company managers scrambling to obtain contract authorization from the company's biggest shareholder. Hilarity ensues when the duo travels to Thailand to search for the secluded shareholder.
"I want to watch the movie again. I'd rather laugh to death than wait to die on the so-called doomsday," an Internet user named "Ranx" joked on Weibo.
The Chinese film market is entering its busiest season, with dozens of competitive films heading to big screen, including "The Flying Guillotines," "The Last Tycoon" and Jackie Chan starring in "Chinese Zodiac 12."
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