FROM a cameo by Chinese space station Tiangong-1 in sci-fi blockbuster “Gravity” to a comedic gang boss in Johnny Depp’s latest comedy “Mortdecai,” Chinese elements are becoming more common in foreign movies.

    For many foreign filmmakers, Chinese elements are frequently used to help movies appeal to Chinese audiences and bring in box office earnings in one of the world’s biggest movie markets. In 2014, Chinese movie lovers spent more than 30 billion yuan (US$4.76 billion) at the cinema.

    But apart from huge box office takings — what else can China contribute to the global movie industry? Filmmakers and critics at the 5th Beijing International Film Festival had many ideas.

    Rob Minkoff, director of Oscar-winning animation “The Lion King,” said Chinese culture was fascinating to foreign audiences. He offered the movie “Kung Fu Panda” as an example in which Chinese culture, especially martial arts, attracted audiences from across the globe.

    Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO and a co-founder of DreamWorks Animation SKG, said “Kung Fu Panda” was created many years ago “out of our love for Chinese culture rather than a consideration of business.”

    “China can offer something more than martial arts,” said Stafan Laudyn, director of the Warsaw International Film Festival.

    With a long history, China has tons of stories about its thinkers, philosophers, poets and painters, which provide a treasure trove for filmmakers, he said.

    Famous Chinese film critic Zhou Liming agreed. “Chinese mythology, folklore and legends could be readily accepted by foreigners if told in a proper way,” he said.

    Disney’s animated film “Mulan” is derived from an ancient Chinese poem. French movie the “Prince and the 108 Demons,” or “les 108 Rois-Demons,” is an adaption of the classic Chinese novel “Outlaws of the Marsh.”

    At the film festival, Tom DeSanto, American film producer and screenwriter, announced that he was planning to make a trilogy based on the Chinese classic novel “Legend of Deification.” It was a legendary story about the decline of the Shang Dynasty (1,600-1,046 B.C.) and the rise of the Zhou Dynasty (1,046-256 B.C.).

    “We are building a connection ... Let’s cooperate, let’s create things together,” he said. “The next generation, our kids, will know about heroes with Chinese faces and devils with Chinese faces.”

    An increasing number of Chinese actors have appeared in foreign movies. Andre Morgan, co-founder of the oldest independent production company in Hollywood, the Ruddy Morgan Organization, believes China is home to many talented young people.

    During her 50 years in Hollywood, Lisa Lu, 88, who starred in the “Last Emperor” and “The Joy Luck Club,” has witnessed the changing roles of Chinese actors in America.

    “In the past, Chinese could only play minor parts in Hollywood movies as restaurant owners or laundry women,” she said. “Now their roles are more diversified. They are characterized as hard-working with special skills and Chinese cultural backgrounds.”

    Lu believes that those with opera or martial arts backgrounds find it easier to be accepted by foreign filmmakers and audiences.

    Perhaps the best-known Chinese Kung-fu star was Bruce Lee, who is still the idol of many. Jackie Chan and Lucy Liu have also become household names in the West with their acting prowess.

    More Chinese are joining them. Chinese faces even appeared in the “Resident Evil,” “Transformers” and “X-Men” franchises.

    China is also investing heavily in the film industry overseas.

    Last June, Chinese conglomerate Fosun International became a shareholder of U.S. media company Studio 8. In 2012, Dalian Wanda Group bought U.S. cinema chain AMC Entertainment for US$2.6 billion. It has become world’s largest cinema chain operator and has held talks with Lionsgate.

    By the end of 2014, China had signed contracts with the governments of 11 countries, including France, Great Britain, Italy, South Korea and Spain, to make films together.

    “Chinese people are becoming more and more passionate about filmmaking,” said Katzenberg. Development of the film industry has reached a golden age, he added.

    (Xinhua)