Examining the Chinese-Australian post-production relationship through Chinese audiences’ cinema experience

ABSTRACT In recent years, China has become one of the largest film industries and in order to remain competitive, Chinese blockbusters are attempting to imitate Hollywood post-production qualities. As Australian post-production companies are internationally renowned for their expertise, Chinese filmmakers are seeking opportunities to collaborate with Australians. The Australian government recognises China’s enthusiasm and has begun highlighting the nation’s strength through various programmes targeted towards the Chinese film industry. Though efforts have been placed to promote Australia's post-production industry, there is currently minimal research on Chinese cinema audiences' opinions regarding this transnational collaboration. To examine the effects of transnationality in Chinese cinema, this paper analyses Chinese audiences' opinions, along with exploring how the Australian government and post-production companies are engaging with China, to understand the potential of this partnership. The paper utilises data collected from the Chinese social networking site Douban to understand audiences’ reception on the post-production elements of the Chinese film Hero (2002). Overall, the analysis demonstrates that Chinese audiences are not identifying Australia’s role, however the impact of Australian practitioners are being emphasised through complements on the film’s visual effects, showing great potential between this transnational collaboration.