Category: Cinema

Spanning over 20 years of development, Hengdian World Studios is not only a premier filming location but also a top-rated national tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors each year.

Boasting an impressive array of over ten major scenic areas, including the grandiose Palace of Ming and Qing Dynasties and the historically rich Palace of Emperor Qin, Hengdian World Studios has become synonymous with cinematic excellence.

Hengdian World Studios features over ten major scenic areas, including the Palace of Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Palace of Emperor Qin, Qingming Shanghetu, and the New Yuanmingyuan.

This impressive development earned it the national 5-A tourist attraction rating in 2010, drawing nearly 20 million visitors annually and reaching a total of almost 200 million visitors over the years.

As the largest film shooting base in the world, Hengdian boasts over 100 top-grade (film-level) and secondary-grade (TV-level) studios, alongside more than 2,000 various film and TV shooting scenes. The studios host over 300 film and TV crews each year, with more than 4,000 crews having filmed there in total.

This bustling activity has drawn over 1,500 film and television companies, including industry giants like Daylight Entertainment, iQiyi, Bona Film Group, and New Classics Media. Remarkably, eight of China’s top ten film and television companies have set up operations in Hengdian, making it the area with the highest concentration of leading film and cultural enterprises in China.

Known as the “Oriental Hollywood,” Hengdian World Studios is where two-thirds of China’s films and TV dramas are shot, serving as a crucial “barometer” and “weathervane” of the Chinese film and television industry.

Among its many attractions, the Palace of Emperor Qin stands out as a highlight. Built in 1997 and modeled after the Qin Xianyang No.1 Palace, this majestic site covers approximately 53 hectares with a building area of 110,000 square meters.

The scenic area is designed around a central axis connecting the city gate, central palace gate, and main hall, with symmetrical architecture that includes corner towers, arrow towers, Que towers, watchtowers, long corridors, and cloud ladders.

The Hall of Universal Unity, the centerpiece of the Palace of Emperor Qin, stands 44.8 meters high with a building area of 6,400 square meters. The hall’s grandeur is accentuated by 99 steps leading up to it, symbolizing Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s ambition to unify the six states. This historical and architectural marvel has been the backdrop for many blockbuster films, including Chen Kaige’s “The Emperor and the Assassin,” “Hero,” and “The Forbidden Kingdom.”

The Palace of Emperor Qin is more than just a filming location; it is a comprehensive area that combines film shooting with tourism. Designated shooting areas such as Hanjie and Huayangtai authentically recreate the street scenes and architectural styles of the Qin and Han dynasties. The ancient roads, battle scenes, and buildings of the Yan, Zhao, Qin, and Han cultures are brought to life with meticulous detail.

Over 500 film and television works have been completed here, including notable titles like “A Step into the Past,” “The Emperor Hanwu,” “The Promise,” “Beauty’s Rival in Palace,” “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” “Swords of Legends,” “Dragon Blade,” “Prince of Lan Ling,” “Legend of Lu Zhen,” “The Legend of Mi Yue,” “The Virtuous Queen of Han,” “The Legend of Qin,” “The Empress of China,” “A Happy Life,” “The Legend of Zu,” “God of War, Zhao Yun,” “Hero in Turbulent Times,” “Chinese Paladin 3,” “The Legend of Haolan,” “The Untamed,” “Joy of Life,” “Sword Dynasty,” and “The Promise of Chang’an.”

As the largest oil and gas producer and supplier in China, CNPC not only dominates domestic markets but also has a significant presence internationally, making impactful strides towards a greener future.

CNPC’s product range is vast and varied, encompassing gasoline, diesel, kerosene, lube oil, chemical light oil, fuel oil, solvent oil, paraffin, bitumen, petroleum coke, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The company also excels in the manufacture of equipment essential for exploration, drilling, well completion, and offshore engineering.

Over 100 equipment manufacturers fall under the CNPC umbrella, with their products achieving international standards such as ISO 9000, ISO 14000, and ISO 10012, with over 60 types of products receiving API certification.

The global footprint of CNPC is impressive, with operations and interests in more than 30 countries across regions including Africa, Central Asia-Russia, the Americas, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific.

This extensive network supports the corporation’s strategic goals of expanding its international presence and enhancing its role in the global energy market.

In Africa, CNPC is not only involved in upstream oil and gas exploration but also heavily invests in infrastructure that supports local economies.

Projects like the Benin-Niger pipeline are pivotal, employing solar technologies to power operations sustainably.

Speaking to foreign journalists this week, at the company’s headquarters in Beijing; Wang Wu, a corporate senior expert at CNPC, emphasized the integration of renewable energy sources in their projects.

“We are going to build on top of the clean energy replacement a lot of the solar and wind power bases and realize the energy transformation so that we will be able to realize the green and low carbon development overseas,” he noted.

According to Wang, CNPC’s commitment extends beyond environmental considerations to include socio-economic impacts.

He disclosed that the company has initiated several refinery projects in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, and Nigeria, aiming to meet local needs and support governmental operations even if these do not yield high investment returns.

Among others, Wang shed light on the dual challenge of aligning pricing with local economic conditions and international standards, addressing issues of accessibility and affordability for local populations while trying to prevent issues like smuggling.

CNPC’s sustainable ventures are part of a broader strategy to promote ecological civilization through high-quality products and services that minimize environmental impact.

The company is steadfast in its commitment to “zero accidents, zero pollution, and zero injuries,” aiming for a balance between robust energy production and stringent environmental stewardship.

In 2023, CNPC reported a net profit of 161.1 billion yuan ($22.34 billion), a rise from the previous year’s 148.7 billion yuan.

The operating profit for the natural gas segment exemplifies the company’s successful pivot towards cleaner energy, with earnings more than tripling to 43.0 billion yuan from approximately 13.0 billion yuan in the preceding year.

CNPC’s expansive production capabilities are notable; the company produced 937.1 million barrels of crude oil in 2023 alone, marking a 3.4% increase over the previous year. Additionally, natural gas output ascended by 5.5%, totaling 4,932.4 billion cubic feet.

The exhibition at Central Station is open all day, with concurrent events and activities such as the intense final Project Pitches at O-Stage, Langyuan Station and the annual Run for Fun at the Workers’ Stadium.

Beijing, with its rich tapestry of history spanning approximately 3,000 years and esteemed as one of the seven ancient Asian capitals, sets a dramatic backdrop for the festival.

The city’s diverse cultural heritage and contemporary cosmopolitan energy uniquely qualify it to host an event of this magnitude. The festival is organized by local authorities including the China Film Administration, Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing Municipal Film and Television Bureau, along with other related agencies, underscoring the event’s significance and the collaborative efforts behind its success.

This year’s festival, held from April 18th to 26th, encompasses over 100 dynamic events and activities. The highlight of these is the Tiantan Award, named after the iconic ‘Temple of Heaven’.

The Tiantan Award is not just a trophy but a recognition of filmmaking that transcends boundaries and stimulates conversations across cultures. It attracts entries from around the globe, offering a platform for international filmmakers to showcase their work in one of the world’s fastest-growing film markets.

Parallel to the competitions, the Beijing Film Market, Beijing Panorama, and various carnivals offer vibrant venues for industry professionals to network, learn, and celebrate cinema. The Beijing Film Panorama, in particular, spreads its reach across 24 cinemas, including venues in neighboring Tianjin and the innovative Xiong’an New Area, reflecting China’s strategic cultural expansions.

Educational forums take place in the Huairou District’s Film Industry Park, providing insight into current trends and future directions in filmmaking. Additionally, the festival features special events catered to Beijing’s college students, held at prestigious institutions in Beijing and their campus in Zhuhai, further nurturing the next generation of cinematic talent.

This year’s festival also serves a greater national agenda. It aims to embody and propagate the cultural philosophies championed by China’s leadership, contributing significantly to the narrative of China’s new era. This cultural mission seeks not only to showcase China’s rich heritage and modern advancements but also to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese aesthetics and values on a global stage.

Furthermore, the choice of Langyuan Station as the venue is strategic and symbolic. Once a nondescript industrial area, Langyuan has transformed into a thriving artistic hub since the economic reforms of 1979. The festival leverages this location to blend cinematic innovation with artistic tradition, offering attendees a comprehensive cultural experience. Events here include outdoor cinemas and markets that allow visitors to engage with both the cinematic arts and local crafts.

The international jury for this year’s Tiantan Award brings together diverse voices from across the globe, including prominent figures from Serbia, Brazil, and notable Chinese-American talents like singer and actor Chris Phillips, highlighting the festival’s inclusive and global perspective.