娱乐英语新闻:"Aftershock" breaks China's box office record

BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Director Feng Xiaogang's Aftershock has been a box office success and moved viewers to tears but it has had mixed reviews. The movie focuses on a family during and after the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in Hebei province that claimed 240,000 lives.

According to Huayi Brothers, the film grossed 36.2 million yuan ($5.3 million) on the day it premiered, July 22, which was 200,000 yuan ($29,500) more than James Cameron's Avatar when it screened in China in January.

However, the numbers have caused controversy as critics say the figures are exaggerated.

In response, Feng fought back on Sina Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter.

A scene from Aftershock, featuring Xu Fan (center) in the main role.

"Our elites are so worried the Americans will lose face. How can it be possible that a local film beats a Hollywood blockbuster? Something must be wrong!

"Sorry, I hurt your feelings, but the first day gross was 36.2 million yuan, or even more than that. Our nation has experienced many frustrations and that makes some of our people feel inferior all the time."

The State Administration of Radio, Film and TV, China's senior regulator of the industry, confirmed the figures to Sina.com last Thursday.

When filming started last year, Feng anticipated the film would gross 500 million yuan ($73.8 million) at the box office. By Friday, the film had raked in more than 400 million yuan, breaking the record of the highest-grossing Chinese film Founding of a Republic, which featured more than 100 stars and was directed by film mogul Han Sanping.

Aftershock has the benefit of Feng's directorial talents, a strong marketing campaign and the fact that it is the only major movie currently screening, on some 4,000 screens.