#109 How Chinese stories are going to the Cannes Festival
Send us a textAs the Cannes festival ends, we interviewed some key player regarding how the biggest film festival in the world impacts Chinese cinema.Featuring- Cao Liuying : Parallax Films - Sales Agent- Clément Magar : Fortissimo Films - General Manager- Qu Zhizheng : Director & CinematographerTo go further- Middle Earth episode #44 Does China still make indie films?Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project, like shooting your next documentary, or are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影)The World of Chinese MagazineA magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.
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#108 - The Memorabilia Economy: Why Some Can’t Stop Dreaming of the 90s
Send us a textNostalgia isn’t just a feeling—it’s also a powerful selling tool. Right as China's GDP growth slows and the future feels uncertain, consumers are increasingly drawn to products and stories that evoke the past. Whether it’s retro snacks or hit TV shows reviving bygone eras, some are tapping into a deep emotional connection.Featuring- Chu Dandan: TWOC - former editor-in-chief- Yaling Jiang: Consultant- Haoyue : Film ProducerTo go further- Middle Earth episode #54 What is the future of China’s animation industry?- TWOC's article How to Talk About Box Office Performance Like a Pro by Aria Zhang- TWOC's article about Zong Qinghou ; The Beverage Company That Made China’s Richest Man by Tan Yunfei - Douyin Accounts about the 1980's : 阿牛小卖部 & 怀旧铺子Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project, like shooting your next documentary, or are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影)The World of Chinese MagazineA magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.
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#107 - Ne Zha 2's Secret Weapon(s) to Reach Global Top 5 Box-Office
Send us a textIn recent months, China’s box office has faced significant challenges, making a recent development all the more remarkable. Recently the animated film Ne Zha 2 has skyrocketed into the global box office top 10 in just one month. With currently over 1.9 billion in revenue, the film has achieved two groundbreaking milestones:- It’s the first non-English film to break into this elite category.- It’s now the highest-grossing animated film worldwide, surpassing Inside Out 2, the previous record holder.Featuring- Dalton Grant Jr: Mapletoons Animation - Animation Writer & Director- Lena Li: IP Acquisitions Consultant- Hayley Zhao: TWOC - Journalist & EditorTo go further- Middle Earth episode #54 What is the future of China’s animation industry?- TWOC's article How to Talk About Box Office Performance Like a Pro by Aria ZhangMiddle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project, like shooting your next documentary, or are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影)The World of Chinese MagazineA magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.
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#106 Why RedNote (小红书) ripped success out of the "TikTok refugees" (Live Podcast Rec. on RedNote)
Send us a textIt has been a crazy week following the non-TikTok ban and witnessing real 'positive energy' on both sides of the Pacific. How did over 1 million Americans flock to RedNote/小红书? What hurdles lie ahead for us, and are there any potential business opportunities for international content creators?Featuring- Jim Fields: Relay Video - CEO(小红书: Jim技术咨询)- Lucy Lv: Culture news reporter(IG-TT: nihaolucylv)- Wang Zichen: Policy Expert(www.pekingnology.com)To go further- Middle Earth episode #50 Xiaohongshu : Marrying content and e-commerce- TWOC's article Seeing RED: The Rise China’s Hottest Trend-Setting App by Hatty Liu- TWOC's article Parallel Worlds: How A Lifestyle App Shed Light on China’s Education Gap by Outside the Fifth Ring (五环外)- Dr. Candise Lin who bridged RedNote And Tiktok in 2024: @drcandiselin Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project, like shooting your next documentary, or are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影)The World of Chinese MagazineA magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.
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#105 How female-centered content is making a killing
Send us a textWhen the Middle Earth Podcast started years ago, it was hard to find any feminist mainstream cultural products. But recently, movies like HER STORY (好东西) and LIKE A ROLLING STONE (出走的决心), along with female stand-up comedians and influencers, have been making their way into the mainstream. How did these success stories come to be?Featuring- Xiaotong Jiang: Kudos Comedy - Founder- Jiaxi Wang: Scriptwriter & Director- Hayley Zhao: TWOC - Journalist & EditorTo go further- Middle Earth episode #92 How writers, bookstore owners, and printers survive in China’s publishing industry - Middle Earth episode #46 China's TV format industry- TWOC's article Roasted and Burned by Tan Yunfei- TWOC's article “Girls Should be Brave”: A Feminist’s Bumpy Journey in a Chinese Small Town by Yang Tingting- TWOC's article The Rise of Female Perspectives in China’s Movie Industry by Liu JueMiddle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project, like shooting your next documentary, or are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影With thanks Li Muyuan for additional research, and Sean Calvo for music support.The World of Chinese MagazineA magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.
Acerca de Middle Earth - China’s cultural industry podcast
Your source of insight into China's culture industry: Hear from people creating and producing content in the world's second biggest cultural market. Hosted by Aladin Farré, and presented by The World of Chinese magazine.
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