Directory of World Cinema: China 2 Gary Bettinson (Lancaster University, UK) 9781783204007

Since the publication of the first volume of Directory of World Cinema: China, the Chinese film industry has intensified its efforts to make inroads into the American market. The 2012 acquisition of US theatre chain AMC and visual effects house Digital Domain by Chinese firms testifies to the global ambitions of China's powerhouse film industry. Yet Chinese cinema has had few crossover hits in recent years to match the success of such earlier films as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; House of Flying Daggers and Kung Fu Hustle. Yet even overseas revenue for Chinese movies has dwindled, domestic market growth has surged year after year. Indeed, annual production output remains healthy, and the daily expansion of screens in second-or third-tier cities attracts audiences whose tastes favour domestic films over foreign imports.

Gary Bettinson is senior lecturer in film studies at Lancaster University and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Asian Cinema.

'With in-depth articles on prominent film stars and directors, this hefty book (330 pages) is a great resource for those in the academic field or just curious minds who want to know about Asian film beyond the box-office hits.'