Chinese actor Feng Yuanzheng said that China is experiencing stunning changes in the Chinese film industry and filmmakers should raise their standards, on Monday in Beijing during the first session of China's top advisory body.

"In 1984, my first film cost 400,000 yuan, now it costs 40 million yuan to make," Feng said. The veteran actor is a new member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and is attending the first session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee which will close on Thursday.

He pointed out that there has been a change in the living habits and leisure time of Chinese people . "Years ago, people would merely seek pleasures such as a good meal, karaoke and spa, but now, they also go to theaters and cinemas."

This large improvement in people's living standards, considers Feng, has changed Chinese people's tastes for art. He urged Chinese artists to consider how to improve themselves to make more high-quality works of art.

China's box offices raked in more than 10.13 billion yuan (US$1.594 billion) in February, according to data from the Film Bureau under the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of China (SAPPRFT). The figure surpassed the world record for a single month's gross, previously held by North America's US$1.395 billion in July 2011.

"Let's see after February, whether it is the new trend or just an accidental peak," Feng said with cautious optimism, noting that since last December, many art-house films, such as Feng Xiaogang's "Youth," Chen Kaige's "Legend of the Demon Cat" and Li Fangfang's "Forever Young" made outstanding performances in the film market.

"The fact that these art-house films became blockbusters indicates that the Chinese audience have enhanced their cultural levels and taste, and also reflects what the audience demands, " he said, "I think every film creation should come from the real life, then the film can resonate with people's hearts. Please don't underestimate the audience."

Feng even predicted three years ago the future booming of Chinese art-house films, "There has been a great leap in artistry in the latest Chinese films, as I can see, in how to combine artistry and commercial elements in a film to make it successful will be the next direction for all Chinese filmmakers."

He also discussed how to make Chinese films go global, stating that while viewers in developing countries may love to see the everyday life of the Chinese, people in developed countries with higher artistry standards would like to see a greater art value in Chinese films.

"We may not always have to make historic epics and films depicting how poor and backward China once was, we should also make films to show the world the modern China and its glory. We need to improve our production level and art level," he added, "A new era begins, and we have a new starting point. "

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