Explore every episode of the podcast Middle Earth - China’s cultural industry podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #112 - The rise of Fangyan (local dialect)'s content | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:45:30 | |
Recently, a Chinese film DEAR YOU (給阿嬤的情書 - 2026) broke the country box office. This historical / family / period drama was shot on a mere 14 million yuan budget ($2 million), and yet made over 1.8 billion yuan ($265 millions). But what’s interesting about that story is that it’s not so much about the money itself, or that the director was quite unknown ; it is that this story that spam from the end of 1940s to today is primary spoken in Teochew dialect. Featuring To go further 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 are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影) The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #111 - Are filmmakers still going to have a job? The latest on Chinese A.I. filmmaking's leapfrog advance | 24 Dec 2025 | 00:49:25 | |
18 months ago, we released our episode #99 examining how AI was being used in films, documentaries, and advertising. At the time, most of the more compelling AI-driven work was confined to short-form content. But Chinese content creator and storyteller are doing leapfrog on that area. Featuring To go further 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 are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影) The World of Chinese Magazine Poster credit: Design by Wang Siqi; elements from Doubao AI The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #110 How Chinese cities are reinventing themselves after the urban boom | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:49:42 | |
China's building boom can now be declared over. Yet what awaits for the 940 million city dwellers living in Chinese cities? Featuring To go further 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 are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影) The World of Chinese Magazine Poster credit : Wirestock on Freepik.com The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #109 How Chinese stories are going to the Cannes Festival | 24 May 2025 | 00:41:13 | |
As the Cannes festival ends, we interviewed some key player regarding how the biggest film festival in the world impacts Chinese cinema. Featuring To go further 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 are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影) The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #108 - The Memorabilia Economy: Why Some Can’t Stop Dreaming of the 90s | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:33:35 | |
Nostalgia isn’t just a feeling—it’s also a powerful selling tool. Right as China's GDP growth slows and the future feels uncertain, consumers are increasingly drawn to products and stories that evoke the past. Whether it’s retro snacks or hit TV shows reviving bygone eras, some are tapping into a deep emotional connection. Featuring To go further 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 are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影) The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #107 - Ne Zha 2's Secret Weapon(s) to Reach Global Top 5 Box-Office | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:32:47 | |
In recent months, China’s box office has faced significant challenges, making a recent development all the more remarkable. Recently the animated film Ne Zha 2 has skyrocketed into the global box office top 10 in just one month. With currently over 1.9 billion in revenue, the film has achieved two groundbreaking milestones: To go further 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 are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影) The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #106 Why RedNote (小红书) ripped success out of the "TikTok refugees" (Live Podcast Rec. on RedNote) | 22 Jan 2025 | 00:59:44 | |
It has been a crazy week following the non-TikTok ban and witnessing real 'positive energy' on both sides of the Pacific. How did over 1 million Americans flock to RedNote/小红书? What hurdles lie ahead for us, and are there any potential business opportunities for international content creators? To go further 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 are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 or RedNote (阿拉丁说电影) The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #105 How female-centered content is making a killing | 08 Jan 2025 | 00:52:47 | |
When the Middle Earth Podcast started years ago, it was hard to find any feminist mainstream cultural products. But recently, movies like HER STORY (好东西) and LIKE A ROLLING STONE (出走的决心), along with female stand-up comedians and influencers, have been making their way into the mainstream. How did these success stories come to be? To go further 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 are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| Gondor (and Aladin) Calls For Aid! | 24 Dec 2024 | 00:02:03 | |
Hello everyone, the Middle Earth Podcast will continue as we enter 2025, but I call on all of you dear listeners as I’m great need of freelance work (or a full time position, let’s dream !). | |||
| (Bonus) Exploring new trends in China's film industry with independent producer Annie Song (produced by Inside the China Room) | 05 Dec 2024 | 00:46:32 | |
Episode gracefully passed over by Jiang Jiang (JJ) from the Inside the China Room podcast show in order to have a second window of distribution ;) In this episode, we explore how young independent Chinese filmmakers are seizing opportunities at film festivals and contributing to the rise of new genres in China, with a particular focus on the increasing popularity of socially themed films. We also delve into the evolving dynamics between the Chinese and American film industries, as well as the successes and challenges Chinese films face in reaching international audiences. Additionally, we discuss how innovative promotional strategies, such as short video platforms, are revolutionizing the way films connect with viewers. Annie Song holds a BA in Film Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and brings over eight years of experience to the film industry. She was recently honored with the Most Promising Filmmaker award at the 29th Busan International Film Festival, cementing her reputation as a rising star in the field. | |||
| #104 Importing Foreign Content & Experiences | 08 Oct 2024 | 00:40:34 | |
Despite China's reputation for having difficulty selling cultural products due to local regulations and the audience's taste, some do manage to bridge the Chinese audience with international content. Where do such opportunities lie, and how has the Chinese audience evolved over the years? To go further Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #103 Black Myth: Wukong - How to make 1 billion dollars with Chinese folklore? | 08 Sep 2024 | 00:53:28 | |
China's first AAA game Black Myth: Wukong certainly caught the world's attention for its production value, commercial success, and controversies. How did the creative team pull that off, and why was this game considered the "perfect package"? To go further Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #102 Remote Creatives | 08 Aug 2024 | 00:50:23 | |
Leaving Chinese Tier 1 cities that are often the heartbeat of cultural creation and where artists can find patreons, we met two creatives that leave in remote artists communities. Leveraging cheap rent and the artistic community around them, they offer a testimony to creatives' never ending resourcefulness. To go further Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #101 When (True) Crime Pays | 08 Jul 2024 | 00:50:46 | |
As any taxi driver in China would tell you, the country is safe on every level. But that must make "true crime" storytellers' lives difficult. Therefore, how can those entertainers of the dark world propose to Chinese audiences? To go further Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #100 (LIVE EVENT) A look back on the Middle Earth Podcast's 100 episodes and China's cultural industry | 08 Jun 2024 | 00:53:20 | |
After 224 guests, 4,439 minutes of content and 1 pandemic we are shamelessly celebrating Midde Earth – China’s cultural industry Podcast 100th episode! In order to make it big I have summoned all my supportive friends living in Beijing and we are today at Chill Bar for a live event to have quick introspection about the show, and so much more. The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #99 How AI is disrupting China’s cultural industry | 08 May 2024 | 00:51:55 | |
As AI is creeping into our lives and our work, no industries are left out of it and certainly not China's cultural industry. But do using AI tools to create content is an easy path and what are the ethical issues attached to such practices? To go further 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 are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #98 How has China's pro-wrestling scene changed (with Following the yuan) | 08 Apr 2024 | 00:30:39 | |
Before Covid, WWE and UFC were key to push the envelope of MMA in China, now, independent promotion companies like Middle Kingdom Wrestling are left to pick up the momentum. Featuring To go further 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 are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch! Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影 The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #97 China’s (high-end) fashion industry | 08 Mar 2024 | 00:38:44 | |
With a forecast revenue of 370 billion USD in 2024 market size, roughly three times the size of the US market and Europe, China's apparel market is home to up and coming fashion brands as well as big brands buying up international competitors. What can insiders share from that industry? The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #96 How Chinese micro-series are trying to reach international audiences | 08 Feb 2024 | 00:48:55 | |
Potentially succeeding where Quibi failed, several Chinese apps (DramaBox, Reelshort) alongside others (Pocket FM, Good Novel) are pushing for 1-minute episodes of micro-series. Often depicted as being of trashy quality, they do seem to attract some eyeballs. Yet, what are the creative conditions to produce such Fifty Shades-esque stories, and is the market where we think it is? The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #95 Chinese Web Novels: The Hidden Golden Goose? (Publishing industry - part 2) | 08 Jan 2024 | 00:38:31 | |
Started as a grassroots movement in the early Chinese internet, web novels slowly became a powerhouse of China’s cultural industry by producing powerful IPs. How did this industry came to be? To go further The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #94 Traditional Chinese Medicine – The Needling Truth | 08 Dec 2023 | 00:39:56 | |
With a 800 billion yuan market size and 1/5 of the doctor’s workforce, TCM is a force to be reckoned with in China. How did the field keeps reinventing itself and why does Chinese youth gets more attracted by it? To go further The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #93 Invisible Summit: One Blind Person's Journey to 8,848 Meters | 08 Oct 2023 | 00:41:03 | |
New documentary Invisible Summit 《看不见的顶峰》tells the epic story of how Zhang Hong became the first blind Asian person to climb the world’s tallest mountain. On this podcast, director Fan Lixin (LAST TRAIN HOME) discusses how he filmed Zhang’s extraordinary journey and what he learned during the making of the movie. To go further The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #92 How writers, bookstore owners, and printers survive in China’s publishing industry (Publishing industry - part 1) | 22 Sep 2023 | 00:44:50 | |
China’s book market is the second largest in the world, with people reading around 6 billion books a year. But how easy is it for small publishers, bookstores, and writers to get a piece of this pie? And how are digital alternatives to physical books impacting writers and small businesses and writers? Featuring To go further The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| A new show!【票房指南09】《封神第一部》中国电影终于打造出自己的指环王了吗？ | 08 Sep 2023 | 00:36:08 | |
Not sure if you could stand my broken Chinese, but I started a new show regarding China's latest box office called 票房指南 as a part of an ongoing effort to become a true 网红... | |||
| #91 How to Publish a Magazine for 100 Issues | 22 Aug 2023 | 00:44:21 | |
It's not every day that a magazine publishes its 100th issue—but Middle Earth's distributor, The World of Chinese, has reached this important milestone after 17 years of publication. We want to look at how an English-language magazine based in Beijing sustains itself and evolves into a multimedia platform (including podcasts) for human-centered stories from China. 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! With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #90 Women in China’s Cultural Industries | 08 Aug 2023 | 00:54:44 | |
Women perform up to 50 percent of the jobs in China's cultural industries, but are they getting equal opportunities and compensation as men? In this episode, guests from the world of film, TV, visual arts, and journalism discuss the barriers female leaders and employees still face in their industries, and the benefits of more gender diversity in the workplace. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #89 Georges Berne: 4 decades of lighting design accross the world (Winland Art Podcast) | 22 Jul 2023 | 00:41:18 | |
Today I plug in a new show that I'm working on where we interviewed Georges Berne, a true master in the art of lighting design who worked on the Mona Lisa. Today, he reflects on his long career and shares his thoughts on his work. The Carte Blanche space was founded in 2019 and is located at Winland IFC, 7 Finance Street, Beijing. The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #88 Is Anyone Tipping China's Content Creators? | 08 Jul 2023 | 00:46:35 | |
A billion internet users means a lot of followers for some content creators in China. But with ad revenue dropping China’s economy is slowing down, are tips and patrons a viable alternative for creators? To go further The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #87 How local government & foundations sponsor culture in China | 08 Jun 2023 | 00:41:19 | |
Culture is expensive, and China makes no exception to that. Without the support of public and private entities, many artists could not create anything or be overly commercial. After getting through the regulations hurdle, what kind of art are supported by the big companies and local governments? The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #86 Surviving the cutthroat world of e-commerce in China, with Dr Lin Zhang author of "The Labor of Reinvention" | 08 May 2023 | 00:40:17 | |
For a decade or more, rural Chinese have been setting up online stores in their homes, hoping to make a living through e-commerce rather than factory work or farming. But any easy money there was in online selling is beginning to dry up. Village neighbors have been pitted against each other in competition for customers, unscrupulous merchants copy products and images from competitors with impunity, while rural residents also struggle to keep up with evolving trends like livestreaming. For over 10 years Dr Lin Zhang followed several of these rural entrepreneurs and their families, culminating in her latest book The Labor of Reinvention - Entrepreneurship in the New Chinese Digital Economy. | |||
| #85 How “patriotic influencers” gain millions of fans in China | 22 Apr 2023 | 00:42:57 | |
As China becomes more assertive on the global stage with its diplomacy and state media, “patriotic KOLs” have appeared on domestic Chinese social media platforms, influencing the political opinions of their millions of fans. But how do KOLs craft their message to be successful, and who’s paying their bills? The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #84 Are NFTs welcome in China? (Part 3 - Chinese art collectors) | 08 Apr 2023 | 00:40:31 | |
NFTS are legal to be bought in China, but reselling them is an all other matters. Yet a local scene of buyers and artists keeps growing, while some lost a great amount of money as they were hoping for a quick return on investment. How does the scene keep growing while local regulations are put into place? With thanks to Wen Jiayin for production assistance, and Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #83 How is Chinese culture going on the global stage? | 08 Mar 2023 | 00:42:05 | |
While China struggles to export its cultural abroad, neighbors like Korea and Japan seem immune to this problem. Apart from local regulations in art, what are the issues creators from China face when trying to take their cultural products abroad, and what are some products that actually became hits? With thanks to Wen Jiayin for production assistance, Wendy Wei for illustration and Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #82 Understanding China’s national park & scenic areas | 08 Feb 2023 | 00:40:11 | |
In 2021, there were 2 billion visits to China’s outdoor tourism sites, such as nature reserves and natural scenic areas. How is this part of the tourism industry coping with a growing demand for outdoor experiences, and did that influence the creation of the country’s national park system? With thanks to Wen Jiayin for production assistance and Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #81 What’s next in China’s cultural industries : Top Stories from 2022 & Predictions for 2023 | 31 Dec 2022 | 00:40:57 | |
As the year 2023 starts, we review our top 3 stories from 2022 and make a few predictions for trends in China’s culture industries in 2023. Featuring With thanks to Wen Jiayin for production assistance and Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #80 Contemporary art in Greater China : the biggest market in the world (Part 2 - Chinese art collectors ) | 08 Dec 2022 | 00:39:04 | |
Greater China is now the biggest art-market in the world, but thousands of galleries in the middle kingdom have closed up, while many artists are struggling to make a living. How are gallery curators, artists, and tech companies keeping up with this ultra-competitive art market? Featuring With thanks to Wen Jiayin for production assistance and Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #79 Exploring Wuxia (think "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") | 22 Nov 2022 | 00:40:04 | |
Wuxia, martial arts stories about heroes and outlaws, used to be one of the most popular genres of literature in the Chinese-speaking world. After countless novels, films and video games, how are the people creating China’s “knight errant” stories modernizing the genre? Featuring With thanks to Wen Jiayin for production assistance and Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #78 Revving Up China’s New Biker Culture | 08 Nov 2022 | 00:39:58 | |
After being ostracized for years, motorbike culture is slowly building momentum among Chinese youths. Between 2016 and 2019, the number of bike sales doubled, and since the pandemic especially, a lot of entrepreneurs are jumping on new business opportunities provided by people craving the open road. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #77 Big in China: Bringing Foreign Creators Onto Chinese Platforms | 08 Oct 2022 | 00:38:44 | |
With over 1 billion internet users, China’s online video and music platforms are the place to be for every creator trying to grow their audience. What does it take for international talent to make it in this cutthroat market? Featuring 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! With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #76 Antiques: China first cultural industry (Part 1 - Chinese art collectors) | 08 Sep 2022 | 00:38:51 | |
Thanks to its rich history, China’s has plenty of artifacts that are being sold and exposed in museums. And there is a market for it, a huge one, where some pieces can be sold for several thousand yuan. How did that market evolve, and what are the dark corners of this industry? Featuring With thanks to Wen Jiayin for production assistance, Stephan Lambadaris for the voice-over & Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #75 Chinese Rap: From Underground to Mainstream | 08 Aug 2022 | 00:40:58 | |
After being underground for decades, the Chinese rap scene got a sudden boost in 2017 thanks to the reality show The Rap of China on the online streaming platform IQiyi. How has the scene evolved since then, and what lies ahead? Featuring With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #74 Chinese TV Series : How to make them better? | 09 Jul 2022 | 00:39:52 | |
C-Dramas have certainly changed over the years as the competitions grew fierce for eyeballs. Why did such changes happen, and what's the future for Chinese TV series industry? Featuring Middle Earth is distributed by The World of Chinese (www.theworldofchinese.com). Every two months, both in print and online, the team at TWOC takes a contemporary issue in Chinese society and culture and looks behind the headlines to share how it affects people on the ground. 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! With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #73 Chinese E-sports (Part 3 – China’s video game industry) | 15 Jun 2022 | 00:42:09 | |
With 400 million fans watching over 5000 professional team competing over many games, China’s e-sports industry is one of the most vivid area of China’s cultural industry. How come this industry keeps growing, and what are the recent issues that e-sports players and companies had to face? Featuring Middle Earth is distributed by The World of Chinese (www.theworldofchinese.com). Every two months, both in print and online, the team at TWOC takes a contemporary issue in Chinese society and culture and looks behind the headlines to share how it affects people on the ground. 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! With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #72 Film Distribution: How to Succeed at China’s Box Office | 29 May 2022 | 00:40:20 | |
China has become the biggest film’s market in the world after Covid-19, with 82,000 screens, so distributing a movie in Chinese cinemas seems like it would be an easy task. But with dozens of films coming out each week, what are the tricks for film distributors to find their audience? Featuring - Cai Yuchen : UEP Media film distributor - Fan Lixin : Director & InHope Pictures cofounder Middle Earth is distributed by The World of Chinese (www.theworldofchinese.com). Every two months, both in print and online, the team at TWOC takes a contemporary issue in Chinese society and culture and looks behind the headlines to share how it affects people on the ground. 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! With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support and Chu Siyi for live translation. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #71 China’s Music Festivals | 16 May 2022 | 00:50:24 | |
Music festivals have only been around for two decades in China, but have increased exponentially—even leading some to worry about a bubble—until the Covid-19 outbreak. Since then, how has the industry tried to make a comeback for Chinese music-lovers? Featuring Middle Earth is distributed by The World of Chinese (www.theworldofchinese.com). Every two months, both in print and online, the team at TWOC takes a contemporary issue in Chinese society and culture and looks behind the headlines to share how it affects people on the ground. 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! With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #70 China’s Indie Games (Part 2 – China’s video game industry) | 30 Apr 2022 | 00:41:17 | |
China’s video game industry is huge, but most of the games are made for the mass market of online mobile players. But what about the niche market of indie games, often focused more on single player story or particular game mechanics? How do Chinese creators find their audience, and do they have an audience outside of China? Featuring Middle Earth is distributed by The World of Chinese (www.theworldofchinese.com). Every two months, both in print and online, the team at TWOC takes a contemporary issue in Chinese society and culture and looks behind the headlines to share how it affects people on the ground. 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! With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support and Li Muyuan for live translation. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #69 The Seducing Power of IPs | 18 Apr 2022 | 00:41:03 | |
As China’s cultural market becomes more and more competitive, some content producers are looking for the silver bullet to avoid failure: IP. What does IP mean in the Chinese market, and what’s the best way to create one? Featuring Middle Earth is distributed by The World of Chinese (www.theworldofchinese.com). Every two months, both in print and online, the team at TWOC takes a contemporary issue in Chinese society and culture and looks behind the headlines to share how it affects people on the ground. 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! With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support and Chu Siyi for live translation. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| #68 Generations of Voices in Chinese Literature | 08 Apr 2022 | 00:49:04 | |
Chinese literature is generating an increasing amount of interest overseas. More and more books are getting translated, while Chinese authors are winning international prizes. Yet are the authors and stories being translated representative of what China’s general public is reading? Featuring
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! With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support and Hatty Liu for co-hosting The World of Chinese Magazine | |||
| #67 Creating Games for the West (Part 1 – China’s video game industry) | 25 Mar 2022 | 00:42:02 | |
If China has some issues exporting its music & film, did you know that video games often meet success on the international market? What kind of games meet success abroad, what kind of strategy Chinese companies have to use, and what are the issues inherent to game localization? Featuring Middle Earth is distributed by The World of Chinese (www.theworldofchinese.com). Every two months, both in print and online, the team at TWOC takes a contemporary issue in Chinese society and culture and looks behind the headlines to share how it affects people on the ground. 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! With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support and Chu Siyi for live translation. The World of Chinese Magazine A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;) Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| (Bonus episode) ASCENSION: Discussion with Director Jessica Kingdon | 06 Mar 2022 | 00:55:03 | |
ASCENSION has been nominated for an Academy Award in the feature documentary category. The film is a portrait of China’s industrial supply chain and its different social ladders. This conversation was originally produced by SupChina. 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! This show is part of the World of Chinese Magazine’s podcast network. Order your latest copy at www.theworldofchinese.com or follow them on Wechat (ID : Theworldofchinese). The World of Chinese Magazine | |||