BEIJING: A sports film frenzy has been sweeping China this year, marked by box office sensation “YOLO,” which hit cinemas on Feb. 10 and tells the story of an obese, unemployed woman in her 30s who determines to change her life through boxing.
Since February, boxing gyms across China have seen a sharp rise in members, with some people even reportedly heading straight from the cinema to the gym.
Through public movie screenings, film festivals and the popularity of sports clips online, sports are playing an increasingly significant role in inspiring the Chinese people and shaping China’s culture.
Many who have seen “YOLO” have cited both the film’s storyline and how lead actress Jia Ling lost over 50 kilograms for her role as sources of inspiration.
According to Meituan, a leading online services platform in China, user searches containing the keyword “boxing” surged in the first couple of weeks following the film’s release. With box office sales surpassing 3.46 billion yuan (about 487 million U.S. dollars), it is currently the top-grossing film of the year in China.
Shui Qingxia, former head coach of the China women’s national football team, said that engaging in sports is a personal challenge that activates adrenaline, noting that the popularity of related films and media has been driven by the fact that more and more people are now actively taking part in sporting activities. –Agencies
