Red Carpet

More about the book

Competition between the United States and China shapes the foreign policy landscape, extending into an unexpected arena: the film industry. Wall Street Journal reporter Erich Schwartzel reveals how this rivalry manifests in Hollywood, where American studios strive to attract Chinese audiences and navigate strict Communist Party censorship. As China's economic power has surged, it has become a vital revenue source for Hollywood, prompting studios to tailor films for Chinese tastes. Concurrently, China has developed its film industry to promote its national agenda globally, creating a complex competition that reflects a modern Cold War over the dissemination of democratic versus authoritarian values. The narrative features memorable figures, from A-list stars like Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie to eccentric Chinese billionaires and filmmakers, illustrating the tangled web of the industry. Schwartzel blends original reporting with political history and entertainment intrigue, taking readers on a journey through global cinema—from propaganda film sets in Beijing to Hollywood boardrooms and Kenyan living rooms where families choose between American and Chinese films. This exploration is both alarming and entertaining, offering a fresh perspective on the power struggle of this century and changing how we view movies.