Chinese director Feng Xiaogang recently blasted popular TV show movies when making a TV program, saying the genre was "extremely" harmful to China's movie industry.

During a recording of the TV show "Hidden Energy" last week, Feng said variety TV shows have "had an extremely bad influence on the development of the Chinese film industry." He pointed out that if the trend goes on in the future, no movie producers would invest in any serious films by filmmakers.

Chinese director Feng Xiaogang [File photo]

 

He Ping, producer and former secretary-general of the China Film Directors' Guild, also tweeted a post on Feb. 6, agreeing with Feng, "This is a serious topic. And the problem has become very serious. The directors' guild must notify the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT). Don't lose your professionalism in silence. "

The attacks on TV show movies are due to a recent hit movie based on the TV show "Running Man," which is sweeping Chinese box offices and has collected more than 380 million yuan (US$60.76 million) since its debut on Jan. 30. The "movie" was produced in only six days and was hit by widespread negative reviews which commonly branded it as a TV show on the big screen with no story - the essential element of a movie. But the bad reviews didn't prevent it from making money.

As Feng Xiaogang's comments resonate with some fellow filmmakers, some Internet users also blasted Feng as being jealous of TV show productions, and pointed out that Feng hasn’t made convincingly good films for years.

The People's Daily published an opinion piece on Feb. 9, saying TV show movies are recognized by the market and audiences, and criticized some big name directors, stars and their blockbusters, including Feng and some of his worst films, saying they are not good or creative at all. "Don't underestimate audiences' intelligence and aesthetics on films, and good films are recognized by audiences."

Last year's "Dad, Where Are We Going?" – also a movie version of a popular TV show – started the trend of making TV shows a new movie genre in China. It made an astonishing 699 million yuan (US$111.66 million) during the Spring Festival season.

"If you say the attitude defined everything, then a film is made in five or six days, so it already lost its sincerity. So don't say that they 'respect' audiences, they respect the money," Feng told Southern Metropolis Entertainment Weekly in response to the People's Daily.