2018年CRI Film posters exhibition showcases film development over past 40 years

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up.

Over the past 40 years, tremendous changes have taken place in the Chinese society, which has been recorded in numerous film productions showcased at the just-concluded Shanghai International Film Festival.

CRI's Shen Ting has more.

An exhibition included in the just-concluded film festival was comprised of around 200 movie posters detailing China's Reform and Opening Up reflected in its film industry over the past 40-years.

Shi Chuan, a professor with the Shanghai Theatre Academy, is the collection's curator.

He says many of the old movies displayed in the posters have one thing in common.

"Good Chinese traditions have always been a main thread of these films. Even if sometimes it is an action movie with many fight scenes, it still conveys China's traditional values which remain alive and effective in the modern-day Chinese society."

In the four decades since China began adopting the Reform and Opening up policy, China's box office has grown from 10 billion to 55.9 billion yuan, or from 1.5 billion to 8.55 billion US dollars last year.

Figures this year are expected to come in at 65 billion yuan or about 10 billion US dollars.

As China's film industry continues to progress, Shanghai, a leader in China's Reform and Opening up Drive, has become a favorite shooting location for blockbusters at home and abroad.

That is part of the reason for the movie posters' exhibition.

Wang Ye is the deputy-director of Shanghai International Film and TV Festival center.

"Watching these films one more time, they reflect the hot societal issues of the era, taking you back to a certain period which is endowed with some peculiar 1 Chinese characteristics."

During the Shanghai International Film Festival, Shanghai cinemas have been crowded with people, who have also stopped by to see the film posters' exhibition. A local senior citizen surnamed Cheng is in the crowd.

"I think these old movies are wonderful. I watched some of them years ago. These posters are a great reminder 2 of the old days. They were touching 3 movies, a lot better than the modern productions. I seldom go to the cinema anymore."

The exhibition has attracted not only senior citizens but also young student visitors,like student visitor surnamed Qian. 

"The film posters' exhibition details the general development of Chinese films. Though I'm not even thirty yet, I would rather watch old-time classic movies than some of the new films that are filled with pop culture references."

In fact, there's an undeniable hunger for well-told Chinese stories. Wolf Warrior 4 2, directed by Chinese action film star Wu Jing, released last year, has become China's all-time top box-office earner.

The visitors' opinions to the events are also guiding Chinese filmmakers in how they make their movies.

Rao Shuguang is the secretary-general of the China Film Association.

"We will adhere to the principle of creating stories close to people's life and improve our ability of telling good Chinese stories by the cinematic means to touch the audiences. This way, Chinese film industry is expected to achieve sustainable development and prosperity."

The posters put on display belong to award-winning films or films which exerted a lot of social influence, such as "One And Eight" and "Red Sorghum 5."