La La Land (Photo : Rachal Chisholm/YouTube)
State-backed China Film Group acquired the right to distribute the modern musical “La La Land” in China. The announcement came just days after the movie by Damien Chazelle received seven awards at the Golden Globes on Sunday.
The film is being marketed by Joy Pictures and the Shanghai-based Baian Film by its Chinese name “Aiyve Zhicheng” or “Music-Loving City,” Chinafilminsider reported. The movie, produced by Lionsgate, got the approval for showing in China which would be shown in giant screen format and possibly IMAX 2D.
Ryan Gosling May Promote Movie in China
To promote the award-winning film, Chazelle and lead star Ryan Gosling will possibly fly to China by the end of January, although “La La Land” has not exhibition date yet. Lead actress Emma Stone’s schedule reportedly prevents her from coming to China to promote the musical.
The movie is about a musician and aspiring actress who meet and fall in love in Los Angeles. Other actors are John Legend and Rosemarie DeWitt. “La La Land” is one of the top 10 films of 2016 chosen by the American Film Institute and won Best Picture in the Critics’ Choice Movie Award.
Film Courts Chinese Audience
On Tuesday, Baian Film and Joy Pictures released posters and trailers in Chinese language for “Aiyve Zhicheng” to promote the movie. However, while a lot of Hollywood producers now make effort to promote their movies in China which is the second-largest film market in the world based on ticket sales, China.org pointed out that despite its numerous awards, the chances of the movie becoming a hit or a flop in China are unknown since Chinese moviegoers are not exactly fans of musicals.
The highest-grossing foreign musical in China was “The Rooftop” which earned 120 million yuan, or $17.3 million, in 2013. It starred Jay Chou, a Taiwanese pop star. After it came “Les Miserables” in 2012 which a box office of 64.3 million yuan, or $9.3 million.
“La La Land” won Best Picture for Comedy or Musical in the Golden Globes. Ryan Gosling got the Best Actor award, Emma Stone the Best Actress award, Damien Chazelle the Best Screenplay and Best Director awards, Justin Hurwitz the Best Score award and “City of Stars” the Best Original Song.”
