Star Flops and Slowing Investment Help Explain China’s Thin Festival Presence, Says Tokyo Programming Director
According to Variety, Ichiyama Shozo, programming director of the Tokyo International Film Festival, stated that star-driven box office flops in China, slowing investment, and a reportedly more complicated censorship process have a bearing on China's low profile at international festivals this year. Ichiyama told Variety that in the past, casting a star in the leading role could guarantee a certain degree of success, but this year, many films featuring star actors have flopped at the box office.