Facts about Asian film:
Singapore:
Singapore's feature production appears to be growing steadily. Most of the mainstream output has come from the de facto state studio, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures.Singapore's independent cinema is also progressing. Eric Khoo's My Macig became the first Singapore film to compete for the Palme d'Or at Cannes. The 75-minute film was shot over nine days for US$ 135,000.
The Singapore Film Commission, under its new director, Kenneth Tan, celebrated its tenth anniversary by launching the New Feature Film Fund to encourage the efforts of aspiring film makers. Nine directors working across a range of genres were awarded up to US$ 170,000 to make their first of second feature. The grand, which includes guidance by experienced production companies and a commitment by Golden Village to distribute their films, is expected to give a boost to the country's independent filmmakers. International Film Guide 2009
The Singapore Film Commission (SFC) was formed in April 1998 to support and develop the rapidly growing Singapore film industry. From January 1 2003, the SFC became part of the Media Development Authority (MDA) of Singapore. The SFC is spearheaded by 10 members of both the private and public sectors. The commission's purpose is to look into various aspects of the film industry's needs and provide the relevant support and services. The SFC's work is defined by four main areas: Funding, facilitation, promotion and training. www.sfc.org.sg
South Korea:
The recent staggering growth of the South Korean film industry appears to have suffered a setback over the last two years. The market share for domestic releases fell from 50.8% in 2007 to 41.5% by October 2008. A total of 124 Korean films were released in 2007. Only 11% of domestic titles turned a profit. By October 2008, 89 domestic films had been released, while the market share for American films surpassed 50% for the first time since 2003. In such circumstances, the industry eventually decided to take active measures in preventing illegal downloading from the Internet.
The top box office hit of the year was Kim Ji-woon's The Good, the Bad and the Weird, whose mysterious marketing campaign held back any coverage of the film until its release in mid-July, even though it had received its world premiere at Cannes in May. International Film Guide 2009
Korean Film Council (KOFIC) is a government-supported, self-administered body with its primary goal in stimulating the growth and development of Korean films through funding, research, policy development, education and professional training. It also works to further develop global markets for Korean films and to promote intercultural understanding through film-based exchanges. Although KOFIC receives its budget from the government, and is committed with the role of supporting cinema by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, it still maintains a certain measure of independence and specialization in communicating with and representing the needs of Korea's filmmaking community. www.koreanfilm.or.kr
India:
While India held on to its title as the top film-producing country (1,146 titles in 2007, with more forecast for 2008), its success were vastly outnumbered by its failures. Not even Diwali, the national Festival of Lights, marking the new business year, could dispel the gloom. Big-budget releases failed to muster support, continuing a worrying trend since 2005, the last good year in terms of box office.
Content, style and innovation appear to be of little concern at the moment and box office statistics are all that concern the industry. Of the 66 Hindi films released in the first half of 2008, only two were successful. They were Abbas Mastan's Race and producer Mukesh Bhatt's Heaven (Jannat), about a cricket bookmarker lured into crime. Significantly, both were made on reasonable budgets with lesser-known stars and unusual themes.
Even with a 4% drop over recent years, the domestic box office revenue in 2007 was estimated at US$ 145 million, a growth of 12% over the previous year. The overseas collections are even more promising, at US$ 17 million in 2007, a growth of 21% over 2006. International Film Guide 2009
Top ten films 2007:
Singapore $m
1. Spider-Man 3 (USA) 5.27
2. Transformers (USA) 4.76
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (UK/USA) 3.78
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World's End (USA) 3.51
5. Ratatouille (USA) 2.87
6. Mr. Bean's Holiday (UK) 2.64
7. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (USA) 2.56
8. Rush Hour 3 (USA) 2.43
9. Shrek the Third (USA) 2.39
10. 881 (Singapore) 2.36
South Korea: $m
1. The Host (South Korea) 13.02
2. Tazza: The High Rollers (South Korea) 6.85
3. My Boss, My Teacher (South Korea) 6.11
4. Mission: Impossible III (USA) 5.74
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (USA) 4.63
6. Hanbando (South Korea) 3.88
7. 200 Pounds Beauty (South Korea) 3.56
8. Marrying the Mafia 3 (South Korea) 3.46
9. The Da Vinci Code (USA) 3.34
10. Maundy Thursday (South Korea) 3.13
India: $m
1. Om Shanti Om (India) 28.2
2. Welcome (India) 25.2
3. Chak de India (India) 21.3
4. Partner (India) 20.4
5. Taare Zameen Par (India) 18.1
6. Bhool Bhulaiyaa (India) 17.7
7. Heyy Babyy (India) 16.8
8. Guru (India) 13.5
9. Ta Ra Rum Pum (India) 12.4
10. Namastey London (India) 12.1
To compare
Finland: €m
1. The Simpsons Movie (USA) 3.3
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World End (USA) 3.1
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (UK/USA) 2.9
4. Mr Bean's Holiday (UK) 2.4
5. Ratatouille (USA) 1.9
6. Shrek the Third (USA) 1.8
7. Christmas Story (Finland) 1.7
8. V2 Dead Angel (Finland) 1.5
9. Ganes (Finland) 1.4
10. Casino Royale (USA) 1.1
Sweden: Admissions
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World End (USA) 845,208
2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (UK/USA) 731,714
3. Ratatouille (USA) 676,891
4. Gothia Canal 2 (Sweden) 606,423
5. Shrek the Third (USA) 542,314
6. The Simpson Movie (USA) 473,379
7. Arn: The Knight Templar (UK/Sweden) 469,913
8. Spider-Man 3 (USA) 429,202
9. Night at the Museum (USA) 322,662
10. Live Free or Die Hard (USA) 288,784
Norway: $m
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World End (USA) 6.7
2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (UK/USA) 6.5
3. Shrek the Third (USA) 4.7
4. The Simpson Movie (USA) 4.3
5. Ratatouille (USA) 3.6
6. Live Free or Die Hard (USA) 3.4
7. Spider-Man 3 (USA) 3.1
8. Olsenbanden jr Solvgruvens hemmelightet 2.6
9. Mr Bean's Holiday (UK) 2.4
10. The Bourne Ultimatum (USA) 2.3
International Film Guide 2009
