Kunming to promote film, TV industry

Recently, the fifth Lancang-Mekong International Film Week took place in Kunming, motivating the city to promote the industrial development of film and television.

Yunnan has a deep connection to movies. The late Chinese director Xie Jin once described Yunnan as a great place to enjoy life and an excellent place to develop the film industry.

"Many places in Yunnan, such as Dali and Lijiang, can be considered natural studios." Plus, many good creative subjects are planted in Yunnan's history, such as the Battle of Northern Myanmar and Western Yunnan, the Yunnan-Vietnam meter-gauge rail, the National Southwest Associated University, and the Yunnan Military Academy. "All of these are worthy of further exploration," Xie said.

It’s a common consensus among filmmakers that Yunnan makes a “natural film studio".

Many screenwriters have found inspiration in Yunnan. The film "Voice of the Nation" tells how the Chinese national anthem, "March of the Volunteers," came to be. The film "Beyond the Clouds" is adapted from the true deeds of Zhang Guimei, the principal of Huaping Girls' Senior High School in Lijiang, Yunnan. And the TV show "Meet Yourself" presented a soothing lifestyle in Dali.

Kunming has played an essential role in the growth of Yunnan's film industry, as it is home to more than 80% of Yunnan's film and television production units. Data showed that in the past 120 years, more than 300 films have been shot in or themed around Kunming.

In recent years, many exceptional films and television works, such as "Voice of the Nation" and "The Long Season," have selected Kunming as their backdrop, bringing Kunming's street vistas to the big screen. Many practitioners consider Kunming to be able to develop the film industry to a higher level.

Industry data also confirmed that Kunming has great potential in developing the film and television industry. Kunming has 107 cinemas with 595 screens and 82,147 seats, achieving a maximum box office of 600 million yuan.

Moreover, Kunming is one of the first historical and cultural cities announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China, with over 100 scenic spots such as Stone Forest, Dianchi Lake, and Jiaozi Snow Mountain. There are numerous subjects for film creation.

With the deepening of the Belt and Road Initiative, China joined hands with Myanmar in making "Bagan's Treasure Trove", working with Laos for "Champa Flower" and with Cambodia for "Dawn of the Holy Land".

Source: Yunnan. cn; trans-editing by Guo Yao