China’s National Film Administration announced last week a series of stipulations requiring all Chinese theaters to air at least two propaganda films per week, as part of the 100th-anniversary celebration of the Chinese Communist Party’s founding.
The National Film Administration called on “film authorities in every province, region and municipality, every film and cinema company and every production firm” to screen and promote “outstanding films” celebrating the 100th anniversary beginning April 1, according to Variety.
The Administration further described approved films as those “closely focused on the themes of loving the party, loving the nation and loving socialism.” The films must also “sing the praises of…and eulogize the Party, the motherland, its people and its heroes.”
As part of the directive, theaters that are part of the National Alliance of Arthouse Cinemas — or “People’s Cinema” circuit — must screen propaganda films at least five times a week through the end of the year. Authorities also revealed the first batch of 12 films to be screened throughout April, which includes eight historic films, three films from the last five years, and one new release.
The first batch of propaganda films is included below, in chronological order:
Fighting North and South (1952) Railway Guerrilla (1956) Battle on Shangganling Mountain (1956) The Red Detachment of Women (1960) Red Sun (1963) Zhang Ga the Soldier Boy (1963) Heroic Sons and Daughters (1964) The Nanchang Uprising (1981) Hundred Regiments Offensive (2015) Battle of Xiangjiang River (2016) The Sacrifice (2020) Landmine Warfare (2021)
The mandate encourages film entities to promote Xi Jinping Thought, the president’s eponymous ideology, and to create the “grand, warm and festive atmosphere” of the party’s anniversary through the screenings. Cinemas must also guarantee that the screenings are well-attended, and are required to implement “preferential ticket prices” and “broadly organize and mobilize party members, cadres and viewers to actively participate” in screenings to “enhance their social impact.”
In addition to the propaganda film screenings, the National Film Administration director and leading Propaganda Department official Wang Xiaohui laid out during a press conference last week how entertainment should fit into party propaganda efforts ahead of the Centennial celebration on July 1.
Those plans included a series of large-scale exhibitions and theatrical performances detailing the “great achievements and valuable experience” of the Party, with party officials and members invited to attend, as well as the directive to create “artistic works of great ideological and artistic standing” also spanning live theater productions, music, dance, film, TV series and publications.
Source: Variety
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