China Exclusive: Domestic films gain box office edge with reality-based films

BEIJING -- Already topping US box office charts, action sequel "Fast & Furious 6" and sci-fi flick "Pacific Rim" are also poised to cash in on the flourishing Chinese film market.

However, these Hollywood blockbusters, which are scheduled to debut in Chinese theaters on July 26 and July 31, respectively, will face fierce competition from their Chinese counterparts, including a sequel to a popular coming-of-age drama "Tiny Times" that will hit screens early next month.

"Tiny Times," a film inspired by author-turned-director Guo Jingming's novel of the same name, has raked in 475.6 million yuan (about 77.5 million US dollars) in the Chinese mainland since its debut on June 27, according to figures released by China Film News on Tuesday.

Zhang Huijun, president of the Beijing Film Academy, said that with the releases of an array of domestic productions, especially ones built around reality-based storylines, it will be a challenge for imported films to take the lion's share of ticket sales in the second half.

Among the films to open in the next a few months are urban romance "My Lucky Star," starring Zhang Ziyi, set to debut on Sept. 19, and the action-packed film "Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon," scheduled to open on Sept. 28, according to information released on mtime.com, a major entertainment website, on Saturday.

"Personal Tailor," the latest comedy from popular director Feng Xiaogang, will hit screens on Dec. 19, bringing audiences the story of a nouveau riche character's efforts to ascend to the life of an aristocrat.

These domestic films are expected to turn up the heat on screens and potentially track the success enjoyed by domestic films in the first half.