China's box office revenue, including pre-sales and limited previews, during the ongoing May Day holiday, which is coming to an end, has exceeded 700 million yuan (about 96 million U.S. dollars) as of 13:50 Monday, according to data from online platforms.
Of the top three films driving this box-office surge, two are Chinese productions, drama film The Dumpling Queen and suspense-action film A Gilded Game, while the third spot is claimed by the Japanese animated masterpiece Princess Mononoke, directed by the renowned Hayao Miyazaki.
Directed by Andrew Lau, The Dumpling Queen is inspired by a true story and depicts a vivid portrait of grit and perseverance. Starring Ma Li, Kara Wai and Zhu Yawen, the film follows a single mother who moves to a new city and, through sheer determination and skill, builds a dumpling stall into a household brand.
A Gilded Game, produced by and starring Andy Lau, promises a gripping tale of financial intrigue and market manipulation.
Thirteen new films have been released for the five-day May Day holiday, which will come to an end on Monday, offering something for every taste. They range from biographies, suspense, comedy to animation.
"I'm most interested in The Dumpling Queen because the main character is Mary and I have a feeling it'll be pretty funny to watch," said Li Jiannan. a moviegoer.
"As a Marvel fan, Thunderbolts is definitely my first pick," said Xu Zelin, another moviegoer.
"When we're with the kids, it's mostly cartoons, we've already watched two this holiday. But when it's just me and their dad, we usually go for suspense thrillers, like Trapped," said Lu Yao, a mother with two kids.
Industry insiders said that subsidies not only boost moviegoing and help box office numbers but also create a ripple effect, supporting the entire film industry, from production and distribution to screening.
"More movies are hitting theaters this May Day holiday compared to last year, and people are really excited to go. The most talked-about films are getting extra showtimes to keep up with demand. On top of that, with this year kicking off China's Year of Film Consumption, a billion yuan in ticket discounts are being rolled out. Those savings are definitely giving the box office a boost," said Yi Zhi, manager of Emperor Cinemas at Beijing Group Center Store.
May Day holiday box office tops 700 mln yuan
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
