Recently, actress Fan Bingbing was nominated for Best Actress at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival for her performance in the Malaysian film Green Night. Although she did not win the award, her interview with foreign media has stirred discussion online.
During the interview, Fan shared her thoughts on the current state of Chinese cinema, saying that “Chinese films today lack diversity,” and noting that the 2025 National Day box office was lower than that of a decade ago. She also commented on global viewing trends:
“Audiences now prefer short dramas or short-form videos. People no longer have the patience to sit quietly in a dark theater and dream. It’s a huge loss for the film industry.”
Fan added that if she were to make another Chinese film, she hopes it would feature a role she truly connects with. She also compared the market for art-house films in China and Europe, explaining that European art films receive foundation support and have dedicated cinemas, while Chinese art films often struggle to stay in theaters if opening-day box office numbers are weak.
Her remarks quickly became a talking point online. Some netizens agreed that her comments reflected real challenges faced by the film industry, while others felt her statements to foreign media were inappropriate and critical of Chinese cinema.
Fan Bingbing previously won Best Actress at the Tokyo International Film Festival for Buddha Mountain. This new nomination was seen as a significant step in her return to the international stage. Although she didn’t take home an award this time, her comments reignited public discussion about the need for greater diversity in Chinese filmmaking.
