First Release From Jia Zhangke’s Distribution Co Grosses $6M In China 

Released on March 8, the film has pulled in 1.09 million admissions and is still playing in theatres. China is now the second highest box office market for the film internationally, behind only its native Italy where it grossed $35M following its October 2023 release.

Directed by Paola Cortellesi, the film is set in postwar Rome and follows a working-class wife and mother who dreams of a better future.

Jia told Deadline: “There’s Still Tomorrow resonates with the increasingly strong women’s consciousness among Chinese female audiences. Unlike other female-themed stories, it tells us that women don’t necessarily have to escape, they can also take the initiative to become part of the public, and it empathizes with the audiences.”

The film initially had a low projection by the local industry but has outgrossed Oscar-winning animated feature Flow, released around the same time, which has taken $3.7M in the China market, and Palme d’Or winner Anatomy Of A Fall, which grossed $4M during its 2024 release. 

The success of There’s Still Tomorrow follows a lengthy post-pandemic drought for European and arthouse films at the China box office during which only a few titles have broken through. It also comes at a time when the China Film Administration has said it plans to “moderately reduce” the import of Hollywood films as US President Donald Trump’s trade war escalates, which may result in more screen space for non-US films. 

UPP co-founder and general manager Tian Qi is a veteran distributor with more than 20 years experience. He also worked with Jia to release Thai auteur Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Memoria in 2023, which went on to gross $350,000 at the China box office.

UPP is now in talks with international sales companies to bring more prestige and quality titles to China for theatrical release.