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Key Takeaways
- The Fragments Festival returns to London, showcasing films by underrepresented filmmakers and featuring unique individuals and minority groups.
- China’s summer box office season saw record-breaking numbers, with revenues reaching RMB 20.6 billion ($2.84 billion) and total admissions of 504 million.
- PVR Inox, India’s largest multiplex chain, achieved its highest-ever monthly admissions and box office month in August.
- Pluto TV and TP Vision have partnered to launch Pluto TV’s ad-supported streaming TV service across Europe and Latin America.
- Warner Bros. Discovery and Unifi have expanded their business partnership in Malaysia, bringing four HBO channels and the HBO Go streaming service to viewers.
- Hong Kong Disneyland had limited operations and later closed due to the approaching Super Typhoon Saola.
Festival for All
The Fragments Festival, set up to showcase underrepresented filmmakers and films featuring unique individuals and minority groups, is returning to London’s Genesis cinema for its third edition. The festival will open with the screening of Ken Loach’s “The Old Oak,” which centers around the tensions that arise in a struggling pub following the arrival of Syrian refugees. The festival will close with “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood,” an Estonian film that documents a space for women to share their innermost secrets and intimate experiences. The festival features eight features, 26 shorts, and 11 events highlighting stories from diverse communities.
Hot Summer at China’s Box Office
China’s summer box office season saw a 16% increase in total box office revenue, reaching RMB 20.6 billion ($2.84 billion) compared to pre-pandemic 2019. The season broke records for the highest box office, admissions, and screenings in the history of the Chinese summer box office. The top-grossing film of the season was “No More Bets,” followed by “Lost in the Stars,” “Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms,” and “Never Say Never.” Four Chinese films achieved revenues over RMB 2 billion ($275 million), compared to only one in 2019.
Exhibition Success for PVR Inox
PVR Inox, India’s largest multiplex chain, achieved its highest-ever monthly admissions and box office month in August. The chain recorded 19 million admissions and $64 million in box office revenue driven by popular films like “Jailer,” “Gadar 2,” “Oppenheimer,” “Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahani,” “Dream Girl 2,” and “OMG2.” PVR Inox operates 1708 screens across 361 properties in 115 cities in India and Sri Lanka.
Partnership for Streaming Service Expansion
Pluto TV and TP Vision have formed a partnership to launch Pluto TV’s ad-supported streaming TV service on the Philips Smart TV platform across Europe and Latin America. This partnership spans more than 25 territories, including the U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, and many more. The collaboration aims to provide viewers with free streaming television content and expand Pluto TV’s reach.
Expansion of HBO Channels and Streaming Service
Warner Bros. Discovery and Unifi have expanded their business partnership in Malaysia, bringing four HBO channels and the upcoming launch of HBO Go streaming service to viewers. HBO, HBO Family, HBO Hits, and Cinemax will be available on Unifi TV starting from October. This expansion follows the recent addition of HGTV and Cartoon Network to the platform, offering a total of nine Warner Bros. Discovery channels.
Impact of Super Typhoon Saola on Hong Kong Disneyland
Due to the approaching Super Typhoon Saola, Hong Kong Disneyland operated under limited conditions and later closed completely on Saturday. The storm’s eye wall was expected to pass within 40km (25 miles) of the city, leading to the closure of schools, stock markets, and cancellation of flights. Safety precautions were taken to protect visitors and staff from the severe weather conditions.