BEIJING, May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The restored version
of Chinese heritage film Diary of a Nurse (1957) (the
"Film") has been selected to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival (the "Festival") as part
of a series of restored films for the festival's "Cannes Classics"
segment. The film was restored jointly by iQIYI, Inc. (NASDAQ: IQ)
("iQIYI" or the "Company"), an innovative market-leading online
entertainment company in China,
and New IPicture Media (Shanghai)
Co., Ltd. ("NIP"). The film stood out from over 200 restored
heritage films, becoming the first restored Chinese heritage film
to be screened at one of the world's three most prestigious film
festivals in Cannes, Venice and Berlin. The film's selection not only marks
the international film industry's recognition of Chinese film
restoration standards, but also the
unique artistic value of heritage Chinese films.
Based on the overall significance that heritage films have had
on the development of film industry, film restoration has become a
field of growing importance. The restored version of Diary of a
Nurse marks the first film to be restored and re-released under
iQIYI and NIP's joint "Copy and Restoration for World Classics"
project (the "Project"). The project represents the company's
ambition to restore Chinese heritage films at a pace of three to
four films per year over the course of the next four to five years,
and screen them at prestigious international film festivals around
the world. Upcoming film restorations of Chinese heritage films
under the project include The Peach Blossom Fan (1963) and
Family (1956).
"Due to the fragility of early film, the restoration process
becomes more difficult as the film ages and that's why it's crucial
for us to dedicate ourselves to restoring these heritage films
early on," said Yang Xianghua, iQIYI President of Membership and
Overseas Business Group. "However, as technological development
continues to drive advancement of the film industry, we are
constantly discovering new methods to better restore and preserve
film classics that are significant to Chinese film culture. We will
continue to support and promote the restoration and preservation of
heritage films in order to bring more Chinese film classics to
global audiences."
Under the project, not only will the
restored films be premiered at internationally renowned film
festivals, but they will also be presented to audiences through
other methods of distribution. For example, during the
premier of Diary of a Nurse at the 2018 Shanghai
International Film Festival, the restored film also premiered
simultaneously on iQIYI's online video platform. In addition, aside
from film restoration, iQIYI is also committed to the restoration
of classic Chinese TV dramas. In March
2019, the company officially launched its "Digital
Restoration Project for TV Classics", to roll out online releases
of 100 Classic Chinese TV dramas, of which half will be digitally
restored.
iQIYI's dedication to film restoration is also showcased through
partnerships with professional institutions as well as its
utilization of leading technology. With the support and guidance of
China's National Radio and
Television Administration, iQIYI has conducted restorations on
multiple classic Chinese TV dramas including The Railway
Story (2002) and Life Show (2002). This was done using
the company's self-developed ZoomAI technology, which allows film
to be restored with high precision and standard, smoothening
playback fluidity and improving the overall viewing experience of
audiences. iQIYI has also partnered with the China Film Archive to
restore Chinese heritage film Yearnings (1990) through an
image quality enhancement method based on neural networks.
About iQIYI, Inc.
iQIYI, Inc. (NASDAQ: IQ) ("iQIYI" or the "Company") is an
innovative market-leading online entertainment service in
China. Its corporate DNA combines
creative talent with technology, fostering an environment for
continuous innovation and the production of blockbuster content.
iQIYI's platform features highly popular original content, as well
as a comprehensive library of other professionally-produced
content, partner-generated content and user-generated content. The
Company distinguishes itself in the online entertainment industry
by its leading technology platform powered by advanced AI, big data
analytics and other core proprietary technologies. iQIYI attracts a
massive user base with tremendous user engagement, and has
developed a diversified monetization model including membership
services, online advertising services, content distribution, live
broadcasting, online games, IP licensing, online literature and
e-commerce. For more information on iQIYI, please visit
http://ir.iqiyi.com.
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SOURCE iQIYI, Inc.