Prolific Chinese director Jia Zhangke, who also produces and spearheaded the Pingyao International Film Festival, is adding another string to his bow.
The A Touch Of Sin and Ash Is The Purest White Cannes regular and founder of X Stream Pictures is partnering with veteran Chinese distributor Tian Qi, founder of Hero Films, to launch new acquisition and distribution company Unknown Pleasures Picture.
It will focus on the acquisition and distribution of international films with the aim of expanding the diversity of films being shown in cinemas in China. Jia Zhangke will act as president, and co-founder Tian Qi will take the post of general manager.
The new company builds on the work of Pingyao, which was launched in part to showcase international arthouse cinema and encourage Chinese distribution, as well as support emerging filmmakers.
It launches into a difficult market for international arthouse films in China in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, although there have been green shoots of recovery with the $4M box office for An Anatomy of a Fall for Hishow Entertainment and Rediance last year.
Alongside Pingyao, Jia Zhangke also initiated Wings International with Tang Yan, chairman and CEO of Hello Group, a financing initiative supporting the filming and production of promising international film projects.
Tian Qi has been working in the field of film distribution for more than 20 years, championing international films in China.
His notable releases have included Spanish mystery-thriller Invisible Guest, Polish Oscar-nominated feature animation Loving Vincent, World War II Holocaust drama Persian Lessons; Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Columbia-set drama Memoria, starring Tilda Swinton; National Theatre Live: Prima Facie and Italian breakout hit There’s Still Tomorrow.
