How deep is the relationship between Hollywood and China? Beijing’s tentacles have ensnared most major studios and many smaller studios, as well as numerous A-list names such as Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and the Russo brothers. Even Tyler Perry is not immune to Chinese power.
in his new book Blood Money: Why those in power turn a blind eye while China kills AmericansPeter Schweitzer, senior Breitbart News contributor and director of the Government Accountability Institute, reveals the many troubling ways the Chinese government has infiltrated Hollywood and turned this quintessentially American industry into a vassal of the Chinese Communist Party. Planning.
As this book points out, China casts a longer shadow than expected on Hollywood productions. Of the 100 highest-grossing films released between 2014 and 2018, 41 had Chinese investors involved.
Many of the most famous blockbuster titles of recent years were made with Chinese funds. transformers, kung fu panda,Furthermore, Mission Impossible movie.
(LR) Actor Henry Cavill, director Christopher McQuarrie, actor Tom Cruise, and actor Simon Pegg attend the “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” press conference held in Beijing, China on August 29, 2018. (Visual China Group, via Getty Images)
dunes Both the film and its sequel were financed by Legendary Pictures, which is majority-owned by China’s Wanda Group.Legendary also funded pacific rim movies and latest Godzilla A big hit.
China’s influence on Hollywood is not just financial.
For years, the Chinese government has put insidious creative pressure on American filmmakers to make China look strong and the United States weak by comparison. Communist values like collectivism are defended, while American-style individualism is ridiculed.
Schweitzer’s book says: Transformers: Age of Extinction Chinese government officials are portrayed as results-oriented and competent, while American officials are portrayed as clumsy and generally incompetent.
The Paramount Pictures also features an American villain played by Stanley Tucci. He is ultimately defeated by a Chinese woman named Su Yemin (played by actress Li Bingbing), who was working with hero Mark Wahlberg.
Actress Li Bingbing (right) and actor Stanley Tucci (left) on the set of “Transformers: Age of Extinction” on October 20, 2013 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Visual China Group, via Getty Images)
in kung fu panda 3 In the film, which was co-financed by China, protagonist Po does not focus on himself as an individual as in the previous two films, but instead focuses on the collective, telling the villagers an animated “People’s War”. ‘ are encouraged to take up arms. ” against the adversary.
(LR) Cartoonist Mr. Po, producer Mr. Zhang Jizhong, actress Mr. Zhu Zhu, director Teng Huatao, actress Mr. Bai Baihe, and cartoonist Mr. Tigress are working on a US-China joint project between DreamWorks Animation and Oriental DreamWorks. Attending a press conference for the animated film “Kung Fu Panda 3” on December 15, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Visual China Group, via Getty Images)
of kung fu panda The film was produced by DreamWorks Animation, led by Jeffrey Katzenberg. Under his leadership, the studio has moved closer to China, announcing plans to build a $330 million studio near Shanghai.
Katzenberg also met with Yu Zhengsheng, head of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai, who encouraged China to produce “cultural products” that would help China’s image.
The result was Pearl Studio, which is majority-owned by Chinese companies.
Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping (right) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Chairman Yu Zhengsheng (left) during the closing session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Talk. March 15, 2017. (WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)
Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation, visited the Jinsha site in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China on October 21, 2008. (Wang Ruobing/Visual China Group, Getty Images)
DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg (third from right) and Chinese Communist Party representatives in the Shanghai government present the master plan for the Shanghai Dream Center on March 20, 2014 in Shanghai, China. (AP photo)
Meanwhile, Katzenberg has moved on to President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. As campaign co-chairman, he pledged to devote “all the resources” necessary to help Biden win re-election in November.
blood money He points to brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, who directed several superhero blockbusters for Disney and Marvel, as a prime example of how Hollywood talent is bending the knee for China.
Chinese blockbuster in production wolf warrior 2The Russo brothers provided advice on the film and introduced the Chinese director to industry contacts, including American visual effects studios.
American directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo appear on the red carpet at the 6th Beijing International Film Festival on April 16, 2016 in Beijing, China. (Visual China Group, via Getty Images)
The Russos also helped cast American actor Frank Grillo, who had appeared in some of the brothers’ Marvel films, to play the villain. wolf warrior 2.
Aiming to strengthen ties with China, the Russo brothers later founded a Los Angeles film company called AGBO, which received a $250 million investment from China.One of the studio’s most successful films is his Oscar-winning film from last year. Everything at once, wherever you are.
Schweitzer’s book also notes how Steven Spielberg has cultivated a friendly relationship with Beijing over the years.
American director Steven Spielberg attends a promotional event for his film “The Big Friendly Giant” at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, on October 10, 2016. (Visual China Group, via Getty Images)
In 2016, Spielberg allowed China’s Alibaba to buy a stake in his Amblin Entertainment. This marks a sharp reversal from 2008, when Spielberg withdrew from projects related to the Beijing Olympics due to concerns about the Chinese government’s involvement in human rights abuses in Darfur.
As Breitbart News has reported for years, Hollywood welcomed China with open arms in a Faustian bargain to win over Chinese audiences.
However, as China’s film industry grew and matured, the Chinese government gradually closed its doors to Hollywood, reducing the number of American films that could be shown on local screens. Not a single American film made it to China’s top 10 box office list last year as local audiences’ tastes shift towards domestic films.
Even Disney movies are underperforming in China, despite CEO Bob Iger’s best efforts to leverage his warm relationship with Chinese dictator Xi Jinping. Disney has managed to obtain Chinese release dates for the following Awakening films: little mermaid, elemental, and the latest indiana jones The sequels will only see them explode with local audiences.
Hollywood wanted to use China to make money. In the end, it was China who played Hollywood.
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