"Amazing, vast work of fantasy"
Interview with Nadia Motina, Founder of Arna Media
Q: How did Arna Media manage to secure the distribution rights for "Ne Zha Beats the King of Dragons"?
- It was nothing short of a miracle. When they saw my photo with Jackie Chan from the premiere of "God of War 3: Mission Zodiac" in Moscow back in 2013, they couldn't believe their eyes. That film currently holds the record for the most successful Chinese movie in Russia.
Negotiating with the producers wasn't easy. They don't really pay attention to distribution, don't know the market, and have no idea about the intricacies of the industry, but they do know they've got a true gem on their hands, and it needs to be sold for top dollar. The talks took over a month, and eight companies were vying for the rights. I managed to sign the contract because I've worked with Chinese films before, including "Kung Fu Unicorn" with Jackie Chan in 2023. And I could guarantee a wide release and quality marketing, working hand in hand with our partners at Atmosphere Pictures.
Q: Have you ever worked with Chinese films before? What makes them unique when it comes to distribution and release?
- Russians love Jackie Chan, but not all his films are successful in the Russian market. I launched several films with this actor. The main problem is the release date. The producers wait until the last minute for release approval and only begin marketing a few days before. They can't tell when we can plan our own release.
Q: In your opinion, what allowed "Ne Zha Beats the King of Dragons" to gather such a massive box office in China?
- It's an incredibly beautiful, grand-scale fantasy filled with attractions that people went to see multiple times.
Q: Do you think the international release, including Russia, could propel "Ne Zha" further up the list of highest-grossing films?
- The film is currently being released in Europe and Latin America. I think it could climb to 4th place in the list of all-time highest-grossing films.
Q: From your perspective, will the story based on Chinese mythology be appealing and understandable to the Russian audience?
- The story is quite simple, revolving around a main character fighting for something dear to them and overcoming obstacles. I think the film will resonate with the Russian audience. Our partners – the theaters – estimate potential box office earnings around 400 million rubles, which is approximately 1.3 million viewers.
Insights:
- Arna Media secured the distribution rights for “Ne Zha 2” through a deal negotiated with All Rights Entertainment, a sales company based in Paris, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles.
- Aurélien Piris, head of sales for Europe and Africa at All Rights Entertainment, led the negotiations for this agreement.
- The deal grants Arna Media the right to release the Chinese blockbuster, directed by Yang Yu, across Russia.
- The film currently holds the record for the most successful Chinese movie in Russia.
- Producers of the film didn't have a deep understanding of the distribution, marketing, or specifics of the Russian market, resulting in delays and challenges during negotiations.
Movies-and-tv distribution and entertainment are crucial aspects that Nadia Motina, the Founder of Arna Media, excels in. With her previous work on Chinese films like "Kung Fu Unicorn" with Jackie Chan, she was able to understand the unique challenges and potential of Chinese film distribution.
