China places a strict quota on foreign film imports. For Hollywood, the most popular way to bypass that quota has been to co-produce films with Chinese companies. But that means giving China’s state film more control over a film’s creative process. And some Hollywood filmmakers are wondering if it’s worth the sacrifice.
“Iron Man 3,” the new Robert Downey Jr. tent pole provided by Walk Disney Co., Marvel Pictures and Beijing-based DMG, has gotten a lot of attention in terms of how it has gained entry into the world’s second-biggest film market. The film is not a co-production, but is enjoying some of the privileges of one and has just set a new box office record in China, having brought in over $21 million on its opening day.
Guests:
Clayton Dube, Executive Director of the US-China Institute at USC
Michael Peyser, Producer and Professor at The school of Cinematic Arts at USC.