Most expensive Chinese movie "Flowers of War" flops spectacularly in the US

[Korean]

Chinese Blockbuster 'Flowers of War' Leaves U.S. Audiences Cold | Reuters

Chinese Blockbuster 'Flowers of War' Leaves U.S. Audiences Cold
By Kurt Orzeck at TheWrap
Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:37pm EST

Christian Bale couldn't entice U.S. moviegoers to go see "Flowers of War," the most expensive movie in Chinese history, last weekend. Nor could director Zhang Yimou of "Hero" fame.

"The Flowers of War," a dark and violent Chinese-language movie about the Rape of Nanking that cost more than $90 million to produce, grossed an anemic $48,558 in 30 U.S. locations last weekend. Its per-location average: A mere $1,619.

"The Flowers of War" belly flop -- and the problems it has faced on the way to the U.S. market -- underscores the challenges Chinese movies can face in America.

When it comes to attracting Stateside audiences, some Chinese movies, no matter how lavishly produced, get lost in translation.

 

[LetsGetRowdy]

i know you meant to make this a negative thread but it is actually a VERY good news. this director is a white worshipper. why would you glorify the white who like the japanese are illegal occupiers of your country? this should be a wake up call to zhang yimou that no one likes his movies.

 

[rcrmj]

I just found out I never like any of Zhang yimou's movies, that guy is really deluded and well spoiled..

i like new generations low budget chinese movies, they are often imbed with deep meanings and reflect dark side of current society

 

[conworldus]

The movie sucks. It is too political, too out of touch of reality, and too exaggerated.

 

[Hack-Hook]

well I liked "House of Flying Daggers" but on other hand never liked Hero

 

[Götterdämmerung]

As a matter of fact, non-English movies rarely succeed in the US - I havent't heard one in the last ten years. Even very successful European movies like The fabulous life of Amélie got a very limited release in the US, while it made hundreds of millions in Europe. Americans in particular and English speaking countries in general are very narrow minded in foreign cultures, languages and of course movies.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Dnt know abt them.... but im going to watch this movie tommorow...

 

[rohailmalhi]

Here is what IMDB thinks........
The Flowers of War (2011) - IMDb

Seems like its a good movie. I am waiting for ****** .........

 

[skyknight]

Zhang yimoun sucks,so does his movie

 

[Dalai Lama]

Unfortunate for Christian Bale, he had kept a pretty good record up till now.

 

[Kazhugu]

i heard this movie was about the rape of nanking...might have been to exaggerated..

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

I said it sucks since the last year, so it is not out of my expectation.

 

[conworldus]

Unfortunate for Christian Bale, he had kept a pretty good record up till now.

The movie should be ok. It raked in about 90 million US in China. With Asian, Australian, and European releases, it should at least break even.

It flopped in the U.S probably because it did not negotiate a good distribution deal, and generate enough publicity. Movies are all about marketing. Even a movie as bad as Clash of Titans (which is million times worse than Flowers of War), got over 100 million dollar world wide.

btw, is Twilight a good movie? No, it sucks, but it got huge box office.

With that said, this Flows of War also SUCKS!

Best movies, like the Hurt Locker, do not get huge box office like blockbusters.

 

[Dalai Lama]

The movie should be ok. It raked in about 90 million US in China. With Asian, Australian, and European releases, it should at least break even.

It flopped in the U.S probably because it did not negotiate a good distribution deal, and generate enough publicity. Movies are all about marketing. Even a movie as bad as Clash of Titans (which is million times worse than Flowers of War), got over 100 million dollar world wide.

btw, is Twilight a good movie? No, it sucks, but it got huge box office.

With that said, this Flows of War also SUCKS!

Best movies, like the Hurt Locker, do not get huge box office like blockbusters.

But Hurt Locker did get nominated for an Oscar (Best movie I think). Not sure if it won.

Anyway, I wasn't referring to box office profit. I'm sure Christian Bale has enough money. It's his reputation he should be concerned about, cos' so far, he's only done top notch films - Batman, American Psycho, Public Enemies etc.

 

[conworldus]

But Hurt Locker did get nominated for an Oscar (Best movie I think). Not sure if it won.

Anyway, I wasn't referring to box office profit. I'm sure Christian Bale has enough money. It's his reputation he should be concerned about, cos' so far, he's only done top notch films - Batman, American Psycho, Public Enemies etc.

First of all, there is no "Best movie" award. The most prized Academy Award is called "Best Picture", then "Best Cinematography", "Best Director"... etc. Yes the Hurt Locker won big including the "Best Picture", a big slap in James Cameron's face that is.

Christian Bale chose the wrong film to break into Chinese movie market (the third biggest in the world after the US and Japan). He made a bad choice.