Hollywood tops Chinese film market in 2012, first time in four years

SHANGHAI | Mon Dec 31, 2012 12:02pm EST

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's 2012 box office was dominated by foreign films for the first time in four years as a deal cemented earlier this year saw more Hollywood film screened on the mainland, squeezing out domestic competition.

China's box office receipts are expected to reach 16.8 billion yuan ($2.7 billion) in 2012 and about 8 billion yuan ($1.28 billion), or slightly less than half the receipts, are from domestic films, the official People's Daily reported on Monday, quoting estimates from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

It is the first time in four years that domestic film receipts totaled less than 50 percent of the market and signals that the February trade agreement to allow more Hollywood movies to be screened in China is having a significant impact on the country's movie industry.

Last year, domestic films made up 54 percent of box office receipts, down slightly from 56 percent in 2010, local media reported. China agreed in February to open its market to more American movies, permitting 14 premium format films such as IMAX or 3D to be exempt from the annual 20 foreign film quota.

Last month, Tian Jin, China's vice minister of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, said the U.S. film industry was reaping massive profits due to the February concession while domestic producers were under pressure.

However, the best-selling film this year is a low-budget, domestically-produced comedy called "Lost in Thailand" about two rival businessmen. The movie drew a bigger audience in China than James Cameron's "Avatar", the People's Daily said.

($1 = 6.2335 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by Melanie Lee; Editing by Matt Driskill)

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Hollywood tops Chinese film market in 2012, first time in four years

SHANGHAI | Sun Dec 30, 2012 11:01pm EST

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's 2012 box office was dominated by foreign films for the first time in four years as a deal cemented earlier this year saw more Hollywood film screened on the mainland, squeezing out domestic competition.

China's box office receipts are expected to reach 16.8 billion yuan ($2.7 billion) in 2012 and about 8 billion yuan ($1.28 billion), or slightly less than half the receipts, are from domestic films, the official People's Daily reported on Monday, quoting estimates from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

It is the first time in four years that domestic film receipts totaled less than 50 percent of the market and signals that the February trade agreement to allow more Hollywood movies to be screened in China is having a significant impact on the country's movie industry.

Last year, domestic films made up 54 percent of box office receipts, down slightly from 56 percent in 2010, local media reported. China agreed in February to open its market to more American movies, permitting 14 premium format films such as IMAX or 3D to be exempt from the annual 20 foreign film quota.

Last month, Tian Jin, China's vice minister of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, said the U.S. film industry was reaping massive profits due to the February concession while domestic producers were under pressure.

However, the best-selling film this year is a low-budget, domestically-produced comedy called "Lost in Thailand" about two rival businessmen. The movie drew a bigger audience in China than James Cameron's "Avatar", the People's Daily said.

($1 = 6.2335 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by Melanie Lee; Editing by Matt Driskill)

View the original article here

Singer Odell first male to win Brit newcomer award

LONDON | Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:52am EST

LONDON (Reuters) - Singer-songwriter Tom Odell was named the Brit Awards' tip for the top in 2013, the first male artist to receive the honor previously won by chart queens including Adele and Jessie J.

The 22-year-old, whose musical style and voice has drawn comparisons to Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, beat London electronic duo AlunaGeorge and classically trained soul singer Laura Mvula to the Critics' Choice Award.

Selected by a panel of music industry experts, the annual prize goes to a British artist tipped for mainstream success, and previous winners have gone on to top charts in Britain and beyond.

"Looking at the list of amazing female artists who have won the Award already, I just hope I don't let the boys down!" Odell said in a statement.

He released his debut E.P. "Songs From Another Love" in late 2012 and followed up with a performance on the popular live music show "Later...with Jools Holland".

Odell also appears on the BBC's Sound of 2013 longlist and MTV's Brand New For 2013 selection of 10 up-and-coming artists, as the music business seeks to identify the chart-toppers of tomorrow.

Many acts, including Odell, already have record deals with major labels.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)

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'Homeland' star Claire Danes gives birth to first child

Actress Claire Danes of the drama series ''Homeland'' arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles September 23, 2012.

Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

LOS ANGELES | Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:20pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Emmy-winning actress Claire Danes has given birth to her first child, a boy, the publicist for the "Homeland" star said on Wednesday.

Cyrus Michael Christopher Dancy was born on Monday to Danes, 33, and her husband, British actor Hugh Dancy.

Danes' performance as CIA operative Carrie Matheson on Showtime's "Homeland" series scored her an Emmy win in September, while the psychological thriller won the TV industry's highest honor of best drama series.

Danes is nominated for her second Golden Globe award in the role at the Hollywood awards show in January. She also has won multiple awards for her past work on 2010 TV film "Temple Grandin," and as a 15-year-old on the 1990s coming-of-age television drama "My So-Called Life."

(Reporting by Eric Kelsey, editing by Jill Serjeant and Lisa Shumaker)

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