Private movie bars popular but problematic
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, December 28, 2015
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| A private movie bar in Shanghai. [whb.news365.com.cn] |
However, the rapid emergence of private movie bars quickly provoked concern. The major worry is that the film sources may infringe copyrights. Such private bars have no right to screen current films being screened in big theaters and have no funds to get copyright licenses to screen certain films. Consumers usually choose Video-On-Demand to watch those films that have been permitted and licensed to be shown on Chinese video websites. Due to the privacy and lack of government supervision, some pirated films downloaded from the Internet as well as pornography and other illegal content has also been shown in the boxes, according to various local media reports.
In addition to content, a movie bar's security, including alarm systems, is also a concern and needs to be monitored.
According to the Regulation on the Administration of Films that came into force on Feb. 1, 2002, China allowed enterprises, institutions and other social organizations as well as individuals to fund, invest in and remodel the cinemas. Before they can do this, they need to submit an application to the administrative department of films.
The Shanghai-based Wenhui Daily has reported that industry insiders estimate that there will be more than 100,000 private movie bars open in China. "This is new, and China's watchdog has not issued any relevant circulars on this," one insider said, and there are no specific laws or regulations to point out which particular government department should be responsible for the private movie theaters and bars.
"If the private cinemas eventually get regulated, it could become a new highlight of cultural consumption and a strong supplement for traditional theaters," the insider continued, "but the precondition is that such cinemas must be run by laws and regulations."
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