Senior film executive: Chinese films can have a life outside of China

A senior film and TV industry executive told China.org.cn in an exclusive interview that China's film market is huge and coproduction can go beyond borders.

A photo of Yu-Fai Suen, producer and managing director at Berkeley Media Group. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Yu-Fai Suen, producer and managing director at Berkeley Media Group, believes that the size of the Chinese market is "enormous" compared to Russia's market, adding the collaboration possibilities that "coproduction can be made partly using Russian funding to achieve higher box office returns in Russia."

"Also, Chinese films can have a life outside of China to add incremental worldwide value," said Suen, who was attending the first Moscow International Film Week (MIFW), held in Moscow from Aug. 23 to 28. "Of course, there are also possibilities of selling content to each other's territories, as each country produces some really fantastic high-quality TV series. It is essential to find the right types of series that could work in each market."

Suen has over 30 years of experience in film, television and stage show development, which includes financing, production and distribution work across the U.K., U.S. and Europe. He has held senior positions at Pinewood Pictures, Elton John's Rocket Pictures and Momentum Pictures, with stints at MGM and EMI Records. He has also financed and produced over 60 U.K. and U.S. film and television projects, managed the distribution of over 400 titles including "Lost in Translation" and "Amelie," and has financed U.S. studio slates for major films like "Transformers," "Mission Impossible" and the "Twilight" franchise.

Given current complex international relationships and circumstances, Suen suggested increasing collaboration between China and Russia through films that are either fully Chinese or Russian or to feature characters from both nations. From his standpoint, there could be several areas of coproduction between Russia and China, using similar cultural themes or interests.

"One example would be in sports, as both nations love sports films, or in the area of sci-fi or space travel — both countries having successful space films as well as joint space programs in the past. Time travel may also prove popular with audiences in both countries, but there may be a number of other areas of mutual interest as well," he noted.

Suen acknowledged that it is still difficult for Chinese films to do well globally, as most successful Chinese films explore local, cultural themes which are not thoroughly understood outside of China. "I believe that greater collaboration with other nations would help Chinese coproductions travel better. This may mean having non-Chinese characters or settings outside of China but still telling a Chinese-themed story."

Since February 2022, the Russian film market has faced challenges due to the absence of U.S. and European content, despite efforts by local productions to fill the gap. However, in Suen's opinion, this situation presents opportunities to import films from BRICS+ nations, potentially boosting box office returns and fostering collaborations with countries like China, India, Brazil, Mexico and African nations.

Chinese media delegation tours a film set at the Moskino Production and Experience Park in Moscow, Aug. 24, 2024. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Suen praised the MIFW as an impressive event showcasing cultural and creative industries. He was particularly impressed by the local government's support for the Moskino Production and Experience Park, a studio complex that elevates Russian filmmaking. He also met distinguished film professionals and looks forward to meeting more to explore the potential for cooperation to share stories globally.

"I believe that as international filmmakers, greater collaboration with other professionals will help us tell more wonderfully inspiring and exciting stories that can reach a wider global audience," he said. "Each story from every country offers a unique perspective on a local culture that may not have been seen or understood before. This can only foster greater acceptance of other nations and help bring humanity closer together."

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