TV & film

tv-&-film

China’s ‘Ultrashort’ Dramas Embrace the Mid-Life Crisis

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

Ultrashort dramas are wooing older viewers — and setting younger Chinese on edge.

Xu Yuan

Dark Humor: Comedian Shines Light on a Rare Disease

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

Gao Xiang, a rising standup comedy star in Shanghai, has won acclaim for sharing his struggles living with severely impaired vision.

Shanghai Observer

The Surprising Legacy of China’s Catchiest TV Theme Song

The 1980s adaptation of “Journey to the West” has an all-time great opening theme. So why did its composer fade into obscurity?

Cai Yineng

Meet Ms. Hu: She Built a Garden From Chongqing’s Discarded Past

Your questions, answered. In-depth interviews with the minds and makers shaping today’s China.

Q & A

Pan Zhiqi’s award-winning documentary “Ms. Hu’s Garden” follows one woman’s decadelong effort to preserve her neighborhood’s history amid Chongqing’s rapid redevelopment — creating a sanctuary from scrap and memory.

Mathew Scott

China’s Film Industry Looks to an Unlikely Savior: Harry Potter

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

All eight Harry Potter movies are returning to the big screen in China, but can they lift the curse on the country’s ailing box office?

Dominic  Morgan

Echoes of War: The Untold Story of the Lisbon Maru

The director of the hit documentary “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” shares the tears and triumphs he experienced in resurfacing a World War II tragedy.

The Paper

Amid Mixed Reviews, China’s Box Office Tops 1 Billion Yuan

With nearly 10 films in theaters, China’s National Day holiday box office is off to a strong start but experts question long term prospects.

He Qitong

China’s New Hit Film is a Harsh Glimpse Into the Lives of ‘Aunties’

“Like a Rolling Stone” has won rave reviews for exploring the darkness behind the story of China’s “road-trip auntie,” Su Min.

A Look Back at the History of Chinese Stand-Up

The art form, originally a Western import, has had its share of ups and downs in China.

Teng Wei

‘Upstream’: The Delivery Rider Drama That’s Dividing China

The highly anticipated new movie promised to highlight the struggles faced by China’s gig workers. Many say it has failed to deliver.

China’s Film Industry Rocked by Summer Box Office Slump

A string of summer blockbusters have woefully underperformed this year, sparking fears for the Chinese film industry’s long-term future.

Ye Zhanhang

With AI, China’s New Hit Dramas Are Virtually Writing Themselves

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

More and more of China’s ultrashorts are now being crafted entirely by AI, from script to special effects. But as the technology advances, concerns about creativity and authenticity continue to grow.

Li Xin

Lin Liuhan

China Makes More Films Accessible for Blind People

Several of this year’s summer blockbusters include audio description for blind and visually impaired cinemagoers, as China’s film industry begins to embrace accessibility.

Li Miaoran

Chinese Cinemas Plan to Livestream Paris Olympics

Cinemas in several cities will screen the Games live on the big screen, but there are concerns about low ticket sales — and drunken fans.

Remembering Hong Kong’s ‘Queen of Swords’

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

Cheng Pei Pei, a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of “wuxia” martial arts films, died Wednesday at the age of 78.

Zhou Zhijian

Ding Yining

China’s Movie of the Summer Is a Dark Satire on Tiger Parents

Comedy ‘Successor’ has touched a nerve in China with its tale of ambitious, controlling parents that turn their son’s life into a version of ‘The Truman Show.’

The ‘Santi’ Aren’t Real

Netflix’s “3 Body Problem” translated Liu Cixin’s epic to the small screen — with one notable exception.

Emily Xueni Jin

Bilibili Bets Big on Booming Ultrashort Drama Market

The Chinese streaming platform has announced plans to release 20 “premium” ultrashort dramas this year, as the genre continues to move into the mainstream.

Celebrating 20 Years of the Asian New Talent Awards

The awards, organized as part of the recently concluded Shanghai International Film Festival, have offered young filmmakers a chance to shine.

Liu Qing

Eight Decades On, an Iconic Chinese Animation Gets a 4K Makeover

The 4K restoration of “Princess Iron Fan” at the Shanghai International Film Festival underscores the film’s historical importance as Asia’s first animated feature and its pivotal role in the development of Chinese animation.