When Sony Pictures released the latest Chinese sensational hit movie 'The Mermaid' in only 34 theatres across North America last weekend, most Chinese movie fans felt let down. The general feeling among Chinese fans was that Stephen Chow's latest mega blockbuster deserved much more respect.

Like Us on Facebook

In hindsight, Sony Pictures may be very well regretting not paying heed these feelings. That is because 'The Mermaid' scored North America's biggest opening for a Chinese movie in a decade during its first weekend. It broke the record of Jet Li's 'Fearless' which grossed 10.6 million from 1,806 screens back in 2006.                     

'The Mermaid' box office feat is all the more impressive given that it was released only in 34 theatres. Not to mention that there was a conspicuous lack of marketing before film's release. All these facts only show that Sony Pictures underestimated the true potential of the movie.

Interestingly, in the past Chinese movies got much more respect from American studios. The fact that Jet Li's Fearless was released in 1,806 screens across North America highlights this. Sony Pictures' faith in many other Chinese movies has paid off in the past - including Chow's last domestic hit 'Kung Fu Hustle', which coughed up $17.1 million in the North American market.

Ang lee's 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's' surprising triumph at the Oscars in 2000 opened up a new chapter for Chinese movies. Ang lee's spectacular rise in Hollywood thereafter was seen as a sign of better things to come for Chinese films in the international market.

Now the puzzling question is how did Chinese movies lose the plot? With so many encouraging things in the past, Chinese movies should be making a breakthrough in the lucrative American market.

Many film critics and experts hold the 'language barrier' as a reason for the failure of Chinese movies. Experts say Chinese film makers need to look at the American market with a new perspective. A move that will help Chinese movies to expand their reach beyond the traditional market of the Chinese diaspora and strike a chord with the English speaking American audience.

American film critics are especially vocal about Chinese movies' failure to strike a chord with English speaking American audience. Unless this is achieved, Chinese movies will never taste success in American market.

There is a feeling among Chinese film critics is that 'The Mermaid' does have quite a few elements to strike a bond with the American audience. The movie's sub plot of a property tycoon trying to destroy marine reserves touches on concerns of global warming.

TagsStephen Chow, The Mermaid