According to a new report from Business Insider “a Chinese state-backed propaganda epic about the defeat of US troops is on track to become the country’s highest grossing movie of all time.”
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” has made $769 million since releasing in China on September 30.
The film “follows a group of Chinese soldiers during the Korean War as they try to beat back US and allied forces from what is now China’s border with North Korea, despite freezing conditions and staggering odds.”
The report adds “The film coincided with a concerted effort by Beijing to whip up nationalist sentiment on what is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party.”
According to CNN “The Battle at Lake Changjin” was commissioned by the Chinese government’s powerful central propaganda department and the country’s top movie regulator. It received huge support from the government from script development, production and publicity, to using serving soldiers among the movie’s 70,000 extras.”
“Beijing has ordered China’s cinemas to use the box office this year to spread propaganda celebrating the anniversary of the Communist Party. Movies will have to focus on themes of “loving the Party, the country, and socialism” and “singing the praises of the Chinese Communist Party, the motherland, the people, and its heroes,” the China Film Administration said earlier this year, explaining its goal,” the report adds.