Subjects of the films includes moments of national honor in the face of adversity such as 'Big Earthquake.'
BEIJING -- China's top media authority has unveiled a slate of 50 propaganda pics it will make as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the revolution that swept the communists to power.
China Film Group said the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television had organized more than 30 state-owned and private production companies to work on the pics.
The films are aimed at "implementing the central government's instructions on public-spirited art work for the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China, and also to promote film production...and to create a positive and harmonious cultural atmosphere," ran a statement on the China Film website.
The 50 propaganda films celebrate various aspects of China's history since Mao Tse-tung's communist troops defeated Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist KMT in a civil war in 1949.
Subjects include the worker hero "Iron Man Wang," as well as eulogies to architectural triumphs such as Tiananmen Square and moments of national honor in the face of adversity such as "Big Earthquake," about last year's 7.9 temblor near Chengdu in the Sichuan province.
Some topics sound more challenging for foreign viewers than others, such as "College Entrance Examination in 1977."
Earlier this month China Film announced the shooting of "The Great Cause of China's Foundation," a pic which will feature the "most powerful lineup in the history of Chinese film," helmed by Huang Jianxin and overseen by China Film head Han Sanping (
Daily Variety, Feb. 13).
Among other events planned this year to mark the anniversary, helmer Zhang Yimou will stage-manage a huge parade in Beijing planned for National Day, Oct. 1.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com