Middle Earth - China’s cultural industry podcast

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18 months ago, we released our episode #99 examining how AI was being used in films, documentaries, and advertising. At the time, most of the more compelling AI-driven work was confined to short-form content. But Chinese content creator and storyteller are doing leapfrog on that area.

As AI tools advance rapidly, they are increasingly taking on more complex roles in filmmaking, including generating entire features and even documentaries. But as reliance on the technology grows, the industry is still grappling with unresolved ethical questions around consent and copyright.
Featuring
- CHEN Zhuo (Pax) : FizzDragon - Founder & CEO
- Tina JIA : Wing Sight - Founder & President
- FAN Lixin : Emmy Award Documentary & AI Filmmaker
To go further
- Middle Earth episode #99 How AI is disrupting China’s cultural industry
- TWOC's article Smart Earth: How AI Is Rewriting Rural China by Yang Tingting
- TWOC's article ChatGPT Gold Rush: How AI Business (and Crime) Is Taking Shape in China by Wang Jiawei
- Wing Sight's documentary series on iQIYI: Prominent Figures in Chinese History (华夏风云人物) (7x22')
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 Magazine
A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.
Poster credit:  Design by Wang Siqi; elements from Doubao AI
The World of Chinese Magazine
A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.

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China's building boom can now be declared over. Yet what awaits for the 940 million city dwellers living in Chinese cities?  
Featuring
- Éric LE KHANH : architect 
- LIU Jue (LJ) : managing editor at TWOC
- Jingqiu ZHANG: IARA - Co-founder & Architect
To go further
- Middle Earth episode #108 - The Memorabilia Economy: Why Some Can’t Stop Dreaming of the 90s
- Middle Earth episode #102 Remote Creatives
- TWOC's article Welcome to Liu York: Going with the Flow in China’s Chillest River City by Wang Lin (王琳)
- TWOC's article How Residential Renovation Became China’s New Urban Battleground by Tan Yunfei (谭云飞) & Liu Jue (刘珏)
- Éric LE KHANH 's work on the remains of Jin Zhongdu City (Jin dynasty - 12th century) at Tianjin University.
- Éric LE KHANH 's work on the Sino-French "Chengdu Eco-Quartier"
- Jinqiu ZHANG team's work in Chen Jiapu Village (陈家埔村).
- News report on CGTN about France-China Wuhan Eco-City.
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 Magazine
A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.
Poster credit : Wirestock on Freepik.com
The World of Chinese Magazine
A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.

Send us a text
As 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 & Cinematographer
To 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 Magazine
A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.

Send us a text
Nostalgia 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 Producer
To 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 Magazine
A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.

Send us a text
In 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 & Editor
To 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
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 Magazine
A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.