Most cinemas reopen in Shanghai after 6-month shutdown

To date, 215 out of the 385 cinemas in Shanghai have reopened their doors after six months of shutdown due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Local governments contributed more than 32 million yuan (US$4.5 million) to help cinemas and the film industry recover. 

Until October 31, movie fans can buy discounted tickets on the mobile apps Taopiaopiao and Maoyan Movie. Each ticket is discounted 10 yuan, and every user can buy up to four discounted tickets on either app every month.

In the coming weeks, more than 20 critically acclaimed movies, including “The Wandering Earth,” “Ne Zha” and “White Snake,” will be screened.

New releases include the dramas “A First Farewell” and “Chaogtu with Sarula,” the touching romance “The Enigma of Arrival” and documentary “Bright Torch.”

Romances “Love After Love” and “Wild Grass,” and animated films “Fly to the Moon” and “The Old Man and Two Mountains” will be released in the future.

Foreign mega-productions such as Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” premiered last week.

On August 14, the 3D version of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” — the first installment in the Harry Potter film series — will hit movie theaters. Featuring compelling images and stunts, “The Sorcerer’s Stone” depicts a magical world of wizards and demons. China will be the first country to screen the 3D version. 

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Harry Potter book series’ release in China. 

Film insiders are optimistic about the industry’s recovery. 

Fu Ruoqing, vice president and CEO of China Film, said it gives the rapidly developing Chinese film industry time for reflection as well as script and cinematography improvements.