The 13 categories

    Best Picture

    Zhang Weiping

    Best Director

    Zhang Yimou

    Best Adapted Screenplay

    Liu Heng, Yan Geling

    Best Actor

    Christian Bale

    Best Actress

    Ni Ni

    Best Cinematographer

    Zhao Xiaoding

    Best Art Direction

    Yohei Taneda

    Best Film Editing

    Meng Peicong

    Best Sound Mixing

    Tao Jing

    Best Sound Editing

    Tao Jing

    Best Costume Design

    William Chang Suk-ping

    Best Make-up Design

    William Chang Suk-ping

    Best Original Score

    Chen Qigang

    LOCAL cinemas are not optimistic about fulfilling the 1-billion-yuan (US$158 million) box office goal of “The Flowers of War, “a 600-million-yuan blockbuster directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Oscar winner, Christian Bale, according to a report in the Daily Sunshine on Thursday.

    The film tells the story of 13 prostitutes who showed courage during the 1937 Nanjing Massacre.

    Premiered Dec. 15, the film had achieved a box office revenue of around 152 million yuan by Wednesday.

    “It is impossible for a film to reach 1 billion yuan in box office revenue if it does not snatch 300 million yuan in its first week,” said movie critic, Cui Ding.

    The first week’s ticket sales volume usually accounts for around one-third of the total box office, according to Cui.

    Hollywood blockbuster “Transformers III” saw more than 1 billion yuan in box office revenue in China after its first-week earnings surpassed 300 million yuan, the paper said.

    Insiders attributed the pessimism about the film’s box office ambition to the fact it was released in winter.

    Dec. 15 saw the premiere of another blockbuster, “Flying Swords of Dragon Gate,” which was directed by Tsui Hark. It is the first Chinese 3D film to be about swordsmanship.

    There would have to be more than 10,000 screens in China for two films to become blockbusters at the same time, the paper said, quoting an unidentified insider.

    Besides, four more films would be released before Christmas.

    “The Flowers of War” also contains scenes of genocide and rape, repelling some potential moviegoers.

    The most violent scenes have even prompted some people to walk out of screenings, including a scene in which Japanese soldiers take turns to rape a woman, the paper said.

    Meanwhile, some audiences have been puzzled as to why 600 million yuan was spent on making the film.

    According to the producer, Zhang Weiping, most of the money was used on a special effects team from Hollywood.

    However, despite the uncertain fate of the box office, the film has applied to contend for next year’s Academy Awards in 13 categories, including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.

    (Li Hao)