The Chinese box office, which has been primarily dominated by homegrown movies with a nationalist focus, witnessed a surprising change as the American film "Barbie" captured national attention and earned close to 86 mn yuan (about $11.9 mn) in China since its release on July 21. Although this figure is relatively small compared to its success in the United States, where it grossed $155 mn domestically over the weekend, the movie's popularity in China is steadily growing, with discussions on social media platforms like Weibo contributing to its momentum, reports CNN on July 25.
"Barbie," distributed by Warner Bros., received positive reviews from Chinese viewers, scoring 8.6 out of 10 on the popular Chinese movie review site Douban. Many praised its themes of womanhood and feminism and appreciated the direction of Greta Gerwig, known for her work on "Lady Bird" and "Little Women." The film's portrayal of diverse perspectives on feminism resonated with the audience, especially in comparison to some Chinese films that still perpetuate outdated gender roles and a skewed male gaze.
Despite some criticisms that "Barbie" only scratched the surface of feminism and could reinforce beauty norms, its representation of strong female characters and focus on gender equality garnered substantial support from Chinese viewers. The movie's unexpected success prompted cinemas to increase the number of screenings allocated to "Barbie," making up 8.7% of all movie screenings by July 24.
The triumph of "Barbie" in the Chinese market is notable considering the challenges faced by US films in breaking into China's heavily regulated and insular box office. The Chinese authorities' strict censorship policies and the need for permits have made it difficult for foreign films to be screened publicly in China. However, "Barbie" managed to make a significant impact, providing Chinese audiences with a high-quality, female-focused movie that resonated with their desire for better female representation and gender equality on screen.
Earlir Daryo mentioned that Vietnam has decided to prohibit the release of the much-anticipated "Barbie" movie within the country's borders because of a scene depicting a map that includes China's unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea.
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