Famous Canadian-American film director James Cameron met the Chinese press Wednesday at a promotional event in Beijing for his latest film "Avatar".
Director James Cameron waves to photogaphers at a promo event for his new film "Avatar" in Beijing, December 23, 2009. The new 3D project from the "Titanic" director will hit Chinese cinemas on January 4, 2010. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]
Famous Canadian-American film director James Cameron, who made the record-breaking film "Titanic" in 1997, met the Chinese press Wednesday at a promotional event in Beijing for his latest 3-D science fiction fantasy film "Avatar".
His visit heightened Chinese movie fans' anticipation for the film, which has been labeled a revolution in the movie industry.
"Avatar" producer Jon Landau, 20th Century Fox Chief Executive James Gianopulos and executives from the China Film Group Corporation attended the event.
"Avatar" producer Jon Landau, director James Cameron and 20th Century Fox chief executive Jim Gianopulos (L to R) are present at the film's promo event in Beijing, December 23, 2009. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]
Cameron said starting in 2005, it took his team two years of technical research and development before working with actors to create the techniques necessary to capture the actors' facial expressions and add them to computer-generated characters.
Cameron also said he was thankful that his film will be released in both 2-D and 3-D in China.
Speaking about "Avatar's" mixed themes on peace, war and environmental protection, Cameron said, "I think the film is a plea for us to open our eyes to see each other as human beings, for what we are, to see past the cultural differences, to respect nature, respect each other, and to respect other cultures."
"Avatar" director James Cameron is present at the film's promo event in Beijing, December 23, 2009. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]
Cameron also confirmed he would make a second "Avatar" film if the first one does well at box offices around the world.
"Avatar" is Cameron's first heavyweight commercial project in 12 years since his 1997 flick "Titanic," which won a record 11 Oscars and grossed more than 1.8 billion U.S. dollars worldwide.
Chinese Film Fans Eagerly Anticipating 'Avatar'
Not to hit Chinese cinemas until January 4, 2010, "Avatar" has already been spawning an Internet buzz among Chinese moviegoers for several weeks. Eagerly awaiting Avatar's release, China's film fans are discussing whether Avatar's earnings can surpass Transformers 2, which currently holds the box office ratings crown for imported films.
The 3D science fiction fantasy project grossed 232 million dollars to top the North American box office in its first week. While sweeping theaters across the world, the movie has drawn critical applause from most of the mainstream Western newspapers so far, mostly for its ground-breaking visual effects. A Chinese film review says Avatar outshines those self-acclaimed epics by leading audiences on a genuine epic journey on the planet Pandora.
Starring Terminator Salvation actor Sam Worthington, Star Trek actress Zoe Saldana and veteran actress Sigourney Weaver, the film tells the adventure of paraplegic ex-Marine Jake Sully who takes part in a mission to mine for a precious material on the alien planet of Pandora, which is inhabited by a humanoid race called Na'vi. While infiltrating the Na'vi people under the disguise of his "avatar" identity, Jake finds himself bonding with the natives and falls in love with the beautiful Na'vi girl Neytiri.
Avatar is Cameron's first heavyweight commercial project in the 12 years since his 1997 flick, Titanic, which won a record 11 Oscars and grossed more than 1.8 billion U.S. dollars worldwide.
It's now rated 8.9 out of 10 on the international film database website imdb.com and has an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 on RottenTomatoes.com, a reference site for public reviews of movies. RottenTomatoes' consensus review says that Avatar "might be more impressive on a technical level than as a piece of storytelling, but it reaffirms James Cameron's singular gift for imaginative, absorbing filmmaking."
