Latest news with #TrinityCineAsia
The Star
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 premieres in Finland to warm welcome
HELSINKI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese animated phenomenon Ne Zha 2, the highest-grossing animated film of all time, made its Finnish premiere on Friday with a spectacular opening at the box office. Rooted in Chinese mythology and reimagined with bold creative flair, Ne Zha 2 is a visually stunning epic developed over five years by a team of 4,000 animators. Distributed by Trinity CineAsia, the film has already captivated audiences around the world and now brings its magic "from the flames of destiny to the land of a thousand lakes," as the distributor put it. At the Kinopalatsi cinema in central Helsinki, a large crowd gathered well before the 5 p.m. screening. Among the audience were members of the local Chinese community as well as a significant number of Finnish and other Western moviegoers. Many were seen taking photos in front of the promotional poster at the theater entrance. By the time the lights dimmed, the auditorium was fully packed - an uncommon sight in Finnish cinemas. According to Finnkino, the country's largest cinema chain, Ne Zha 2 is now showing in all 12 cities where it operates. Initially scheduled for a limited release, the film's screening schedule was expanded due to soaring demand. "In the Finnish market, we've been pleasantly surprised by the ticket sales. We've added more showtimes as demand has grown," said Finnkino Communications Manager Irene Hernberg. She noted that the film has far exceeded expectations compared to other diaspora-focused releases, describing the response as "very encouraging and positive." Finnish audiences had been eagerly awaiting the film's arrival. Episodi, a leading Finnish film magazine, published several articles praising Ne Zha 2's box office triumph and hailing it as a symbol of China's vibrant cultural industry. After its Finnish release was announced, the magazine described it as a "huge, wonderful surprise" for local film fans to experience it on the big screen. Hernberg added that Finnish interest in Chinese films remains strong, particularly those having achieved international acclaim or won prestigious awards. Trinity CineAsia, which holds theatrical rights to Ne Zha 2 across 37 European countries, confirmed that the film began its rollout this week across Finland and other Nordic nations, including Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. The distributor said the scale of the release reflects Nordic cinema chains' strong confidence in the film's commercial success. Official figures show that Ne Zha 2 has already grossed over 2 billion U.S. dollars globally, including presale and international revenues.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Ne Zha 2' English Dub Sets Sights on Global Market: ‘The Returns Could be Enormous'
Chinese animation blockbuster 'Ne Zha 2' continues to shatter records as distributors prepare an English-dubbed version with 'well-known' voice talent, setting the stage for a broader international push following its unprecedented local success. The film has already grossed $2.11 billion globally, making it the highest-grossing animated film of all time and the fifth highest-grossing film ever. At the Beijing International Film Festival's industry forum titled 'How High is the Ceiling for China's Film Market?', Catherine Ying, president of distributor CMC Pictures, revealed plans for the English-dubbed version while discussing the film's international strategy. 'People are excited and happy to see 'Ne Zha 2,'' Ying said. More from Variety Beijing International Film Festival Marks Triple Milestone With Star-Studded Opening Chinese Filmmakers Vie for Glory at Beijing's Tiantan Awards Global Distributors of Chinese Cinema to Be Recognized at Beijing International Film Festival CMC Pictures has already secured distribution on 1,000 screens in North America and 162 in Australia for the film. For the upcoming English dub, Ying noted that the marketing approach will shift significantly with 'targeted TV advertising and social media including YouTube and TikTok,' along with a 'bigger marketing budget' to reach non-Chinese audiences. Chinese films are also making unprecedented inroads in European markets. Cedric Behrel, managing director of distributor Trinity CineAsia, highlighted the remarkable performance of 'Ne Zha 2.' 'The release of 'Ne Zha 2″ in Europe has been extraordinary. We only started about a month ago, and it's already become the highest grossing Chinese film in Europe in 20 years,' Behrel said. He described booking the film at London's iconic Odeon Leicester Square cinema, 'where really only major U.S. studios are looking usually at James Bond and 'Wicked,'' as an 'inspiring moment' for Chinese cinema overseas. The film's success has been bolstered by premium format showings, with Behrel noting that premium formats account for remarkably high percentages of ticket sales – 33% in the U.K. and 24% in Germany. Director Huang Jianxin ('1921') touched on technological advancements, particularly 'using AI to enhance experience' for audiences 'pressed for time.' However, 'Infernal Affairs' trilogy director Andrew Lau took a more traditional stance, insisting 'story, script is the key.' He added that 'AI is cold – doesn't have any warmth. Communication is the key. AI is just a tool.' Daniel Manwaring, CEO of Imax China, stated: 'There is a market. All we need is good movies.' He stressed the importance of 'the best possible environment' to attract audiences, noting that five Chinese films will be shot in Imax this year. Delivering one of the Beijing forum keynotes, Fu Ruoqing, chair of China Film Group, emphasized China's ambition to 'build itself into a film power according to the 40th 5-year plan' by 2035. He highlighted the need for diversification in the Chinese film industry, which 'should not be supplied by just a few blockbusters.' He added that after the Lunar New Year box office high, led by 'Ne Zha 2,' the 'market has once again become colder.' 'We need a diversified slate to make the ecosystem sustainable,' he said. As Chinese films continue gaining traction internationally, industry leaders remain optimistic about the future global potential of titles like 'Ne Zha 2,' with Ying concluding, 'The returns could be enormous.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Ne Zha phenomenon: Biggest animated film of all time heading to European cinemas
Ne-who now? Ne Zha – a series inspired by the 16th-century Chinese novel "Investiture of the Gods", which combines elements of history, tales of gods and demons from Chinese folklore and plenty of mythology. The films follow how a pearl with spiritual energy is split into the Spirit Pearl and the Demon Orb. The first one is set to be reincarnated into the world as a demon-slaying hero, while the second is fated to be destroyed by heavenly lightning. In comes Ne Zha, who was supposed to be reincarnated as the hero but ends up being reborn as a demon. He must wrestle not only with his nature, but also his preordained fate as he embarks on a quest to obtain an elixir to restore the body of the dragon prince Ao Bing. Sounds like a lot, but it's all rather straightforward when you watch the first film. It's basically all about a wee scamp with an overbite battling demons while defying fate and offering a sly commentary on how the concepts of good and evil aren't determined by origin. Now that you're all caught up, time for the records. The 2025 sequel, written and directed by Jiaozi, has made history. The Chinese animated epic has become the highest-grossing film of all time in China, the highest-grossing animated film worldwide (surpassing Pixar's Inside Out 2), the first non-English language film to gross $1billion, and the first non-Hollywood production to crack the global all-time top 10 box office chart. Still with us? Ne Zha 2 currently ranks as the sixth highest grossing film of all time behind Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, Avatar: The Way of Water, Titanic and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It was released in China on 29 January and it passed the $2bn mark over the weekend. At the time of writing, it currently sits at $2,056,003,774 (for reference, Inside Out 2 has a worldwide gross of $1.69bn) and looks set to surpass Star Wars: The Force Awakens soon. Especially since Trinity CineAsia has secured theatrical distribution rights for Ne Zha 2 across 37 European territories - including the France, Germany, Spain, Ireland and the UK – where it'll debut on 21 March. 'Rarely do you get a film that truly defines the era, shows again the unique power of cinema to move audiences, and makes an indelible mark on culture. This is 'Ne Zha 2,'' said Cedric Behrel, managing director of Trinity CineAsia. 'It signifies a major turning point in further establishing Trinity CineAsia as a pan-European distributor.' An indelible mark on culture that has been fuelled by nationalism in its native country, as Chinese fans came out against Marvel's Captain America: Brave New World to ensure Ne Zha 2's box office supremacy. Fans have taken to social media to disparage Ne Zha's main rival, with a popular slogan online being: 'I don't care if Ne Zha 2 can survive overseas, but Captain America 4 must die in China.' Ouch. 'It's not Captain America that's dying, but America that's dying', one online post read. 'In reality, the US does not have superheroes and the US is not a peace-loving, peace-defending beacon for humanity.' Ouch again. Captain America: Brave New World has only taken a total of $370million globally so far, and he's probably feeling red, white and very blue right about now. is coming to a cinema near you very soon.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
European cinemas did not boycott Chinese blockbuster 'Ne Zha 2'
"European countries collectively boycotted Ne Zha 2! Greece is so happy that it is organising a large-scale film event to attract tourists," reads the simplified Chinese Facebook post shared on February 18. The post also shares an image showing the film's protagonist and a text overlay that repeats the false claim. It also links to an article that claimed cinemas in most of Europe refused to screen the film -- except for those in Greece. This forced "students studying abroad and Chinese residents to fly to Greece to watch the movie". Greece is a signatory to the Belt and Road Initiative -- a programme of China-backed infrastructure projects (archived link). The film is based on Chinese mythology and features a rebellious young deity battling formidable foes after his village is destroyed. It ousted Disney's "Inside Out 2" to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, state news agency Xinhua reported on February 18 (archived link). The film's overseas release in February sparked hopes among some Chinese that it would garner similar acclaim abroad (archived link). President Xi Jinping has urged more confidence in traditional culture and aims to build China into a cultural powerhouse by 2035. Similar claims also spread on YouTube, X, and Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok -- including Chinese international relations scholar Jin Canrong, who posted a video on his YouTube channel titled "Ne Zha 2 banned in Europe. Chinese films still have a long way to go global". But British film distributor Trinity CineAsia said on its official Facebook page that the film would be released "across multiple territories in the UK, Ireland, and Europe" (archived link). Variety reported it will be shown in 37 European territories (archived link). In another post on March 8, the distributor announced the film would first open in the UK and Ireland on March 21, with previews starting a week earlier (archived link). Tickets for the film are available on the company's ticketing platforms, for UK and Irish cinemas (archived link). IMAX also posted on its official Facebook page on March 14 that Ne Zha 2 can be seen in its theatres in UK and Ireland (archived link). Trinity CineAsia additionally announced the film will be released in Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany and Belgium in the last week of March (archived here, here,here and here). AFP also debunked false claims that the United States had banned the blockbuster.
AFP
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- AFP
European cinemas did not boycott Chinese blockbuster 'Ne Zha 2'
"European countries collectively boycotted Ne Zha 2! Greece is so happy that it is organising a large-scale film event to attract tourists," reads the simplified Chinese Facebook post shared on February 18. The post also shares an image showing the film's protagonist and a text overlay that repeats the false claim. It also links to an article that claimed cinemas in most of Europe refused to screen the film -- except for those in Greece. This forced "students studying abroad and Chinese residents to fly to Greece to watch the movie". Greece is a signatory to the Belt and Road Initiative -- a programme of China-backed infrastructure projects (archived link). Image Screenshot of the false post, taken March 14, 2025 The film is based on Chinese mythology and features a rebellious young deity battling formidable foes after his village is destroyed. It ousted Disney's "Inside Out 2" to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, state news agency Xinhua reported on February 18 (archived link). The film's overseas release in February sparked hopes among some Chinese that it would garner similar acclaim abroad (archived link). President Xi Jinping has urged more confidence in traditional culture and aims to build China into a cultural powerhouse by 2035. Similar claims also spread on YouTube, X, and Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok -- including Chinese international relations scholar Jin Canrong, who posted a video on his YouTube channel titled "Ne Zha 2 banned in Europe. Chinese films still have a long way to go global". But British film distributor Trinity CineAsia said on its official Facebook page that the film would be released "across multiple territories in the UK, Ireland, and Europe" (archived link). In another post on March 8, the distributor announced the film would first open in the UK and Ireland on March 21, with previews starting a week earlier (archived link). Tickets for the film are available on the company's ticketing platforms, for UK and Irish cinemas (archived link). IMAX also posted on its official Facebook page on March 14 that Ne Zha 2 can be seen in its theatres in UK and Ireland (archived link). Trinity CineAsia additionally announced the film will be released in Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany and Belgium in the last week of March (archived here, here,here and here). AFP also debunked false claims that the United States had banned the blockbuster.
