How China’s billions in film will change how we see Chinese people forever
If you’ve been watching China, you’re likely aware by now that China has ratcheted up its investment in the film industry by a considerable margin. Not only are Chinese investors heavily targeting Hollywood for investments but it’s also doubling down on its own market. Most of the discourse on this topic is centered around the economic and industry impacts. But I believe “Chollywood” will bring with it more than just these shifts, but it will usher in a shift in the perception of Chineseness, globally. And this shift will be one of the largest soft power shifts in the world.
Watch a handful of movies from Hollywood featuring China as a global player from 2012 to the Arrival and you will see China portrayed as a harsh, militaristic, and authoritarian nation (Sidnote: don’t forget the negative perception of Chinese travelers). Simultaneously, the Americans are played as a cynical yet reasonable and heartfelt. It’s not a cut and dry dichotomy, but the contrast, when put up to a lens, is stark. China appears inhuman while America appears human. One is robotic while the other is sympathetic. Hollywood is thus one of America’s crown jewels. A soft power infused with cultural influence with global reverberations. Hollywood makes America relatable and personable. It makes Americans accessible. And this is great for business, politics, investment, and relationships.
The Chinese film industry (and government) are becoming acutely aware of this. It’s not just lucrative, it’s about global influence.
It is therefore apt for us to imagine a future where global perception of Chinese people is more complex and evolved than it is today. A world where people see Chinese actors in the same way they see American actors, possible. But a world where modern Chinese stories have the same resonance and influence that Americans do? Inevitable. Remember the heyday of Hong Kong cinema. Stretching from Bruce Lee to Jet Li to Wong Kar Wai, these film greats groomed out of Hong Kong, came to cult classic and global status, influencing even Hollywood.
Now, take a step back and remember something about China. Many who know China know that it is not as one-dimensional as is portrayed in Hollywood cinema. China is an ancient civilization stretching over 1,500 years before the birth of Christ. Over 3,500 years of history, culture, philosophy, and depth to draw from. It has stories like Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, Dream of the Red Chamber, and more that are rich with meaning.
The stage is set. But what does all this mean?
As far as Southeast Asia is concerned, China is it’s most important player. Since 2011, China is the regions number one trading partner. SEA has particular geopolitical importance for China, where it can wield disproportionate influence beyond just economics. And most important of all, Chinese diaspora. There are approximately 50 million Chinese people living outside of China, 32.7 million of them live in Southeast Asia. 65% of all Chinese living abroad are in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia as a window into the shift
With Southeast Asia’s surplus of ethnic Chinese citizens, there is certainly a complex identity at play. When you look at countries like Cambodia and Laos, the link to China is deep. In Thailand, Myanmar, and the Philippines, the business connections to China are massive. And this is facilitated mainly by people of Chinese origin. Likewise, a quick look at latest news in Malaysia and you’ll see a shift as well.
Of course, on the other hand, countries like Singapore and Vietnam represent a diametric contrast to this “almost enthusiasm” for China. There are no clear forward trends without resistance.
But it’s possible Indonesia presents the most interesting case. The world’s largest Muslim country is shifting in attitude towards China. As Johanes Herlijanto notes, this shift is becoming more apparent everyday, there is now “…a new narrative that represents contemporary China as a role model and source of inspiration for Indonesia’s own development. Variants of this narrative suggest that China is no longer a political and security threat to Indonesia. Instead, it has been transformed from a less developed communist country into a rapidly developing economic giant that embraces globalization.” Indeed, even Indonesians are shifting in their perspectives. From 2005 to now, the number of Indonesians favorable towards China has oscillated between 58 and 73 percent.
This shift towards a positive vision of China has been ongoing for the last few years, how much more so will it be when Chinese film begins to take its own domestic market and the world by storm. Singaporeans are already shifting from watching 100% Hollywood films to 50% Hollywood and 50% Chinese.
We just have to take a step back and think for a minute about how Hollywood has given America so much power and relatability to the world. American films provide a window into America and Americans no other country has. Can you imagine what it will be like if China reaches that status?
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