John Cusack stars in 2012. Expand

John Cusack stars in 2012.

Student Lulin Jia is one of hundreds from Auckland's mainland Chinese and international student community flocking to watch the blockbuster movie 2012 because of its pro-China scenes.

"Finally we have a Hollywood movie that shows China, not as the enemy, but as a friendly nation that can help save the world in times of trouble," said Jia in Mandarin.

The film, in which Earth's core overheats and threatens the human race, and world leaders race to build an ark in the mountains of central China for people and animals that can repopulate the planet, has been a huge success in capturing the mainland Chinese movie-going market.

In the movie, China is one of the first nations to agree to open the ark's gates to refugees and an American military officer says only the Chinese can build an ark of such a scale at such speed.

Although 2012 is not part of SkyCity Cinema Asia's programming, the chain's head of distribution, Milt Barlow, says it again proves "catering and committing to the local Chinese market" is the way to boost the movie business.

The Chinese Government-commissioned anniversary film, The Founding of a Republic, beat all other films in its opening week to occupy top spot at the chain's Queen St, St Lukes and Highland Park screens.

Screenings at the 450-seat Mega Screen in Queen St were sold out every night, and so were The Message, Ip Man and Shinjuku Incident, Mr Barlow said.

Cinema Asia was launched last December as a "test" to see if there was a market for mainstream Asian movies, and after 24 releases, Mr Barlow said it had become a permanent feature of the group's programming.

Most of the films are released on the same date with on which they are launched in Asia.

Dorathy Li, chief editor of Skykiwi, a popular local Chinese online forum, says the Chinese "naturally love to go to the movies" and the pro-China themes are a refreshing change.

"I think many are fed up that the Chinese are always being portrayed as poor, corrupt or stupid," Miss Li said.

"It's about time the Chinese are being shown in a more positive light."

DRAWCARD

* Hundreds flocking to see 2012 because of pro-China scenes.
* China anniversary film top movie on the week of its opening.
* Four titles have screened to sold-out crowds every night at Queen St Mega Screen.

By Lincoln Tan | Email Lincoln