Power, linkages and space: an exploratory study of China’s film cluster from 2010 to 2020

ABSTRACT In this paper, the network perspective is combined with the clustering theory to investigate the power structure, cooperation network, and spatial distribution of Chinese film clusters between 2010 and 2020. The top 20 grossing films are collected. Moreover, three types of network, including network between directors and companies, inter- and intra-firm network and inter-city network, are established on the basis of the social network analysis and the data processing in Python. In this paper, the imbalance between the power structure and the film resource distribution is demonstrated. In addition, it is revealed that small coteries exist in China’s film clusters. The above small coteries are more significantly connected under the network, while there are relatively sparse connections outside the network. Several emerging eastern cities (e.g., Hangzhou and Nanjing) have stood out, which may be conducive to reducing the absolute monopoly of Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai in the China’s film industry.