The Ridley Scott-directed historical epic “Napoleon” is set to get a release in mainland Chinese theaters next month.
The Apple Original Films title which in many territories is released in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, has received approval for import into China and release in a Dec. 1 slot, Sony said on Thursday.
All imported revenue-sharing films in China are released through one of two state-owned distribution companies, not by the Hollywood studios. The studios’ representative offices in China assist and part-finance the marketing and promotional campaigns.
Per a Sony synopsis, the film “details the checkered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix. Against a stunning backdrop of large-scale filmmaking orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte’s relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed.”
In North America, the film goes out with an “R” rating reflecting strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and brief bad language. China does not operate an official classification system and films must be approved for screening to audiences of all ages, or none, though some exhibitors sometime issue their own supplementary guidance.
Hollywood movies have flowed back into China this year after a more than two-year hiatus that reflected both COVID-related disruptions to releasing film and the strained bilateral political relations between China and the U.S.
import normality was restored in December last year with the release of “Avatar: The Way of Water” and appears to have been partly motivated by a need to bring life back to the Chinese exhibition business after a year of extreme pain.
Hollywood imported titles have largely been given slots that are day-and-date with their U.S. and international outings or shortly after. And, in most cases, they have been given several weeks of advanced notice, allowing them to build promotional campaigns.
“Napoleon” had its world premiere in Paris, France, earlier this week. Reviews have been mixed. The film releases in North America and multiple international territories on Nov. 22 and will hit China theaters barely eight days later.
Despite the relatively benign conditions, Hollywood films have largely struggled at the Middle Kingdom box office this year. Chinese theaters have recorded some $7 billion of gross box office so far in 2023, according to consultancy Artisan Gateway. That is up 78% compared with a miserable 2022 and some 14% below comparable 2019 performance. But local titles are clearly dominant and imported films’ aggregate market share is below 15%.
