"Terminator Genisys" has allegedly been losing box-office sales to "The Hundred Regiments Offensive." (Photo : www.thearnoldfans.com)
Hollywood blockbuster “Terminator Genisys” has allegedly been the victim of box-office fraud to funnel ticket sales into Chinese propaganda film “The Hundred Regiments Offensive” in the world's second most valuable movie market.
While the Chinese government has insisted that the high ticket sales of “The Hundred Regiments Offensive” has been due to an increased sense of patriotism coming from the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, some evidence indicates that the film has been taking its sales from other films showing in the Chinese box office.
During the week of Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, “The Hundred Regiments Offensive” dominated “Terminator Genisys” in the Chinese box office, taking in $39.40 million as compared to $26.67 million grossed by the Hollywood action film. However, these numbers have drawn attention because the Chinese propaganda film has had significantly fewer screenings than “Terminator Genisys.”
Wang Zhonglei, president of Huayi Brothers, has vocally criticized the results attained by the Chinese war film. Huayi Bros.’ drama film “Tale of Three Cities" opened on Sept. 28, the same day as “The Hundred Regiments Offensive.”
Wang shared a message with his 9.94 million Weibo followers.
“Where’s all the box office gone? Please keep those dirty hands away!” he posted.
Yu Dong, CEO of Bona Film Group, posted a mock search warrant on WeChat, asking moviegoers to submit any evidence that might point to box-office fraud.
Many fans have submitted photos of printed tickets for “The Hundred Regiments Offensive” with titles of other films scribbled over them. Moviegoers claim that when someone bought a ticket for a film, the cinema staff would print a ticket for “The Hundred Regiments Offensive” and then write whatever film the customer bought on the film. This would count the sale for “The Hundred Regiments Offensive.”
Industry insiders claim that the cinemas were only complying with incentives offered by China Film Distribution (CFD), the distribution arm of China Film Group.
Allegedly, Chinese cinemas that reached the quota for sales of “The Hundred Regiments Offensive” could keep 100 percent of ticket sales.
As “Terminator Genisys” has been performing well in the Chinese box office, it has supposedly become the main victim of box-office fraud.
The allegations have supposedly been supported by the sudden drop in sales of the propaganda film after the “CFD special treatment period.” On the last day of the period, the recorded revenue was $7.99 million, which dropped to $670,000 the next day, making the film drop from first to sixth place.
Despite the allegations, “Terminator Genisys” has been a much bigger hit in China compared to its performance in the United States. The film grossed $89.6 million at the North American box-office, while grossing $111.92 million in the Chinese box-office.
