As a fan of international television, I must say that XiXi Pictures has truly outdone themselves with their captivating series like “Islands”, “The Last Immortal”, and “Reborn”. The way they manage to resonate with audiences across borders is nothing short of remarkable. Their ability to depict the dynamics of social development, evolving relationships, and the transformation of human nature in a way that inspires reflection and personal growth is truly commendable.
As a gamer, I wasn’t entirely sure where our journey was headed when we decided to share our game, “Islands,” with the world from XiXi Pictures in China.
From a casual perspective, the tale of “Islands” carries a uniquely Chinese flavor, as it chronicles the evolving dynamics of a family spanning three generations, encompassing themes like family ties, love, marriage, and careers. The question was whether this narrative would strike a chord not just in our homeland, but also beyond. As a devoted fan, I’m eager to see how this story transcends cultural boundaries and touches hearts worldwide.
Wow, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the view counts rolling in – a staggering 3.6 million views on the @HuashiRomance YouTube channel within mere two months! The clamor for an English, Spanish, and Korean version of the series was overwhelming, not to mention requests for its broadcast on iTalkBB in North America, as well as closer to home on platforms in Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. As a gamer, it’s moments like these that make all the hard work worth it!
According to Yang Xiaopei, the founder and CEO of XiXi Pictures, the reaction demonstrated that international viewers are open to content that honestly portrays the nuances of societal progress, shifting connections, and the evolution of human character.
Although the backdrops of these tales might be unfamiliar to international viewers, they still stir reflection and motivation for self-improvement across the globe,” she notes. “Realistic storytelling continues to hold significant sway in the worldwide TV industry.
Over the past year, Shanghai- and Beijing-based XiXi Pictures have been refining their plans to expand what’s successful in China on a global scale. Among their achievements is the series “Islands,” which recently won the Golden Angel Award for Best TV Drama at the 20th Chinese American Film Festival and Chinese American TV Festival held on November 8. Additionally, actress Xu Fan and Liang Jing received awards for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively, while Yang was recognized as the Best Producer.
Xixi’s “The Last Immortal” leans more towards traditional Chinese fantasy, featuring gods and magical beings, yet it tackles contemporary youth issues such as love, heartbreak, and dealing with expectations from elders. It garnered 23 million views on YouTube’s Jetsen Huashi channels before Netflix picked it up. On the other hand, “The Youth Memories” is set in 1970s China among a driven group of young adults. This series was nominated for Best TV Drama at the 34th Flying Apsaras Awards, the longest-running Chinese TV awards. Yang expresses that this recognition boosts their confidence, demonstrating the team’s dedication and hard work. By staying committed to our vision of blending youthful spirit with historical context, we’ve crafted a story that deeply connects with audiences and stirs their emotions.
For XiXi, the future holds a drama titled “Reborn,” which they categorize as a realistic series revolving around a young girl’s quest for justice following her elder sister’s death. Meanwhile, in the production phase are three other dramas: “Six Sisters,” starring international sensation Vivian Wu (“The Last Emperor”), which chronicles a family’s journey through China’s five decades of development from the 1960s to early 21st century; and “Si Jin,” an historical drama that XiXi describes as intertwining modern social issues like marriage, love, female independence, and intriguing cases with ancient marital relationships.
Apart from these titles, XiXi Pictures also maintained a prominent public profile at the Tokyo International Film Festival in October. This recognition reflects the significant growth that the company has experienced since its establishment in 2020, earning Yang a spot on The Hollywood Reporter’s list of the 35 Most Powerful Women in International Television.
Following decades of service at Shanghai Media Group, a substantial entity within China, Yang established XiXi Pictures to capitalize on the swift advancements in China’s television and streaming industry.
According to Yang, when it comes to creating content, Chinese filmmakers and TV producers are choosing a style that reflects current life as we know it today. This realistic approach can be seen in both historical and contemporary dramas, as well as in modern shows that depict our present-day society accurately.
Similarly, Yang notes a change in direction among Chinese content producers as they delve into diverse genres. Previously, the industry was recognized for productions like visually stunning fantasy epics and palace dramas. However, she points out an increase in “domestic family dramas, stories of personal growth set in historical periods, and science fiction and crime-themed suspense thrillers.
According to Yang, some TV shows have significantly advanced creatively within the Chinese market this year. These series provide intricate details of real-life experiences, constructing elaborate storylines, and offering well-rounded character depictions.
Additionally, there’s been significant expansion in the creation of brief dramas, many consisting of episodes under 10 minutes and catering to over a billion smartphone users across the nation. This sector, valued at over $5 billion yearly, is one that XiXi Pictures is delving into.
Yang explains that these formats have gained widespread popularity due to their gripping storylines, fast-moving pace, and unique vertical filming technique. This type of content is ideal for viewers who enjoy consuming media during brief spells of free time. Regarding the demographics of the audience, there’s a broad age range. Young individuals, particularly college students and young professionals, tend to watch on mobile devices and make up the majority of viewers for many successful films and TV shows.
Moving forward, Yang mentions that Xixi Pictures will strive to stay ahead technologically, investigating opportunities offered by AI-generated content, among other advancements. This is all done to maintain audience engagement and enjoyment, with the ultimate goal of attracting more and more platforms to stream Chinese content.
Yang states that we’ll keep leveraging the exceptional skills of Chinese artists, as well as advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence in Content Generation (AIGC), virtual production methods, and 4K and 8K filming techniques. This will significantly improve the quality of Chinese cinema and television, broaden the avenues for sharing our stories domestically, and proactively seek international markets to engage with global viewers.
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2024-11-18 19:25