In Columbia, Maryland, a group of Chinese cinema enthusiasts took a unique approach to promoting China’s top-grossing movie by organizing an IMAX screening in the United States. On a recent afternoon, a gathering of over 100 individuals, including Chinese students, young professionals, and families, assembled outside Baltimore to partake in a cultural celebration. Attendees dressed in traditional Chinese attire, with some children dressed as beloved characters from the feature film. Attendees signed a Chinese scroll and received tickets styled in the fashion of traditional Chinese paintings, while others gleefully posed with props such as red-tasseled spears and swords.
The movie showcased was “Ne Zha 2,” a Chinese animated film that has achieved significant commercial success, grossing approximately $2 billion and surpassing the global earnings of “Inside Out 2.” Despite its success in China, “Ne Zha 2” remains relatively unknown internationally. The screening organizers sought to change this by introducing the film to American audiences.
Ne Zha is a legendary character in Chinese folklore, featuring a mischievous child god-general introduced in a 400-year-old narrative known as “Creation of the Gods.” Sun Bohan, a 27-year-old student in Baltimore, yearned to experience “Ne Zha 2” on the IMAX screen. Faced with the challenge of competing movies like “Captain America: Brave New World,” Sun explored options to bring his vision to life. Renting a theater was the solution, yet the cost was prohibitive. Through the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu and WeChat, China’s popular messaging platform, Sun rallied support.
More than 100 interested individuals joined his initiative, each contributing to the event’s success. Among them was Raye Xia, a manga and anime aficionado who had already watched the film multiple times. She created a unique ticket design featuring Ne Zha with a dragon set against the backdrop of Washington’s cherry blossoms. “I appreciate playing a part in such an event here,” Xia expressed, attending in cosplay attire.
For others like Hoff Xu, the screening offered a creative outlet, as she fashioned her own costume using copper wire, binder clips, and recycled clothing. “I wanted to enhance the immersive experience for everyone,” Xu noted, as her outfit was a hit, with audience members eagerly taking photographs with those in costume.
Zhao Yuanyuan attended with her 7-year-old son Jiang Wei’en, emphasizing the importance of preserving Chinese culture. “Seeing a Chinese movie excel internationally fills me with pride,” she declared, hoping her son embraces the cultural heritage.
The event highlighted the strength of grassroots efforts among the Chinese community in the U.S. Attendees forged personal connections through shared cultural experiences amid growing concerns of increased hostility towards immigrants. The assistant professor of Sinophone cinema at the University of Maryland, Belinda He, remarked that such gatherings are crucial for community belonging.
Sun was not alone in this endeavor; similar screenings occurred in Indianapolis, Boston, and New York City. In New York, Ma Ruoyuan, a finance professional, collaborated with others to organize screenings for 600 attendees. “The chance to see ‘Ne Zha 2’ on an IMAX screen truly united everyone,” Ma reflected.
IMAX Corporation explained that demand requires months of scheduling, allowing “Ne Zha 2” brief showings on its screens before expanding availability following the conclusion of “Captain America” screenings. The company expressed its effort to accommodate various movies while meeting prior commitments.
In China, “Ne Zha 2” is celebrated as a patriotic film, with screenings organized to bolster morale among various audiences, including law enforcement. The Sichuan province supported the film financially, demonstrating how art can serve community goals, as 15 million yuan was allocated towards its production.
For Sun, staying up late to bake cookies for the Baltimore screening exemplified the spirit of cooperation among expatriates. “I began on my own, yet the support from diverse individuals made the event worthwhile,” Sun shared, appreciating the collaboration.