China to shoot films for 55 ethnic groups

BEIJING - Chinese government will produce at least one film for its 55 ethnic groups, the State Ethnic Affairs Commission announced on Sunday.

At a ceremony, names of four proposed films featuring Mongol, Dong and Manchu minorities were unveiled. These films will showcase the culture and life of the people and improve people's understanding of them.

Films featuring the ethnic minorities have been popular in China since 1950s, such as the "Liu Sanjie" featuring Zhuang ethnic group and the "Five Golden Flowers" telling the stories of five Bai ethnic girls.

Such ethnic-themed films are rare nowadays, said the commission, noting more than 20 ethnic groups have not been put on films yet.

The commission said Chinese government will invest more to shoot such films and nurture the ethnic groups' own film talents.