#44 Does China still make indie films?

Long gone are the days when Chinese film directors could shoot their films and win awards abroad without complications back home. But even with stricter regulations regarding the shooting and distribution of films in China, some have not stopped creating unique stories for the big screen. Today's guests share their insights into the current scene of low-budget films and art-house movies coming from China.

Featuring
Cao Liuying : Co-Founder of Midnight Blur Films
Karin Chien : Film Producer & Distributor at dGenerate Films
Jenny Wu : Indie Filmmaker & Curator

Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! 

Recommendations
- An Elephant Sitting Still 大象席地而坐 (2017)
- Blind Massage 推拿 (2014)
- Outcry and Whisper 呐喊与低语 (2020)

Quiz's answer
- According to China Daily, only 1.5% of screen time is given to indie films in their first screening week.
- The China Independent Film Festival was shut down permanently in 2020 after 14 iterations.
- The film director who goes by the surname Ceng (who used to be a farmer and a migrant worker) was arrested on the evening of his film premiere in 2016. He was not arrested for the content of the film, but because he was part of a gang fight in Chongqing in 2000 and had eluded the police for 16 years.

With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves  for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support.