Confirmation of Shake-Up in China’s Film Industry
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Version 0 of 1. LOS ANGELES — Even more mysterious than the subterranean power struggles in Hollywood are the hidden currents in China’s growing film business. But one mystery clarified itself, at least a little, when Asia Film Business on Monday confirmed what had been widely reported for months: Han Sanping has stepped down as chairman of the China Film Group, a government-sponsored company with duties that include the supervision of film imports to China. Asia Film Business was following a report in which China’s Huaxi Metropolitan Daily said that Mr. Han was retiring after seven years as chairman. His departure leaves both La Peikang, who has been deputy chairman of China Film Group, and Jiao Hongfen, its vice chairman, in charge of the company. Rob Cain, a consultant who writes about China’s film business on his Chinafilmbiz.com Web site, was among those who described the now-official transition weeks ago. Identifying La Peikang as the new top officer, Mr. Cain wrote of him in February: “Don’t let La’s quiet, academic demeanor fool you; he’s undoubtedly as tough and effective as they come in China’s political bureaucracy.” |