Chinese film industry split over 'Curse'

BEIJING, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- While many in China's film industry are pleased with the amazing success of "Curse of the Golden Flower," others have seen it as an example of impropriety.

The BBC reports that the Beijing Polybona Film Distribution company has alleged that when "Curse" was recently released, all other featured films in China were blocked to cause the drama to garner the highest four-day draw for a domestic feature in history.

Beijing New Picture Films exec Yang Yang, whose company distributed "Curse," has denied any such dealings led to the film capturing the record $12.3 million box office total.

"If the digital cinemas choose to screen only 'Golden Flower,' it is the choice of the market," he explained.

But the Beijing Polybona Film Distribution group maintains that cinemas have sworn to only show "Curse" until Jan. 14, thereby limiting its launch this Friday of "Confession of Pain."

The BBC said prior to the success of "Curse," starring Gung Li and Chow Yun-Fat, China's box office record was held by "The Promise," which made $9.6 million in its debut weekend in 2005.