The Ridley Scott-directed historical epic “Napoleon” is set to hit mainland Chinese cinemas next month.
The title, from Apple Original Films and Sony Pictures, has been approved for import into China for a December 1 release, Sony announced on Thursday.
According to a Sony synopsis, the film “chronicles the tumultuous rise and fall of the iconic French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix. Set against a stunning backdrop of large-scale cinematography orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte’s relentless rise to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, and showcases his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed.”
The film will be released in North America with an “R” rating for strong violence, some gruesome images, sexual content and brief profanity. China has no official rating system and films must be approved for all ages or none, although some exhibitors sometimes issue their own additional guidelines.
All imported revenue films in China are released by one of two state-owned distribution companies, not by the Hollywood studios. However, the studios’ representative offices in China assist and co-finance the marketing and advertising campaigns.
Hollywood films have returned to China this year after a hiatus of more than two years, reflecting both COVID-related disruptions to film releases and strained bilateral political relations between China and the US.
Import normality was restored in December last year with the release of “Avatar: The Way of the Water”, seemingly motivated in part by the need to breathe life back into the Chinese exhibition business after a year of extreme pain.
Hollywood imports have largely been given slots that coincide with, or are close to, their US and international releases. And in most cases, they have been given several weeks’ notice to build up promotional campaigns.
“Napoleon” had its world premiere in Paris, France, earlier this week. Reviews have been mixed. The film opens in North America and several international territories on 22 November, and in China just eight days later.
Despite relatively favourable conditions, Hollywood films have largely struggled at the box office in the Middle Kingdom this year. So far in 2023, Chinese cinemas have grossed around $7 billion, according to consultancy Artisan Gateway. That’s up 78% on a dismal 2022, and some 14% below the comparable performance in 2019. But local titles clearly dominate, with imported films accounting for less than 15% of the total market share.
