12 sept 2016 mk2 and Fabula Entertainment Enter Major Franco-Chinese Partnership

Paris-based mk2 has signed a partnership with Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke’s Shanghai-based Fabula Entertainment. This partnership includes production and distribution, exhibition as well as Virtual Reality content.

mk2 and Fabula Entertainment have joined forces to co-develop and co-produce films as well as to promote and distribute the best in Asian cinema worldwide. mk2 will also support Fabula Entertainment in the development of their newly created Open Village, a network of cinema theatres in Mainland China. In addition, the partnership includes co-development and co-production of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) content as well as upcoming VR centers in China.

“We are very proud to continue our collaboration with Jia Zhangke on a larger scale and to actively participate in the future development of Chinese cinema as well as the promotion of the best in world cinema in China” says mk2 CEO Nathanaël Karmitz. “Joining forces with Jia Zhangke is a natural thing to do. Our relationship was established years ago when mk2 started operating as the international sales agent for his films”.

“It’s been eight years since I started collaborating with mk2 on 24 City in 2008” explains Jia Zhangke. “Now there will be a more extensive collaboration between my own company Fabula and mk2: from making movies to building cinemas. I believe that the spirit of mk2 will help us improve the quality of films and cinemas here in China, and thereby share the most creative films in the world with the people in China. This is a rather exciting project because, far from Hollywood, the collaboration with a company like mk2 will for sure contribute to the preservation of cultural diversity in this ancient country”.

mk2

In addition to its activities in film production, international sales and distribution of a film catalogue of 600 titles, mk2 has 40 years of experience as a film exhibitor and operates more than 20 theatres in Europe. mk2 has always strived to be innovative by incorporating book shops, restaurants and concept stores in its arthouse multiplexes designed by top architects and designers. Recent developments include private cinemas for hire, large-scale pop-up cinemas, and events combining film screenings with gastronomy, music and gaming.

mk2 and Jia Zhangke

24 City (2008) – International sales
I Wish I Knew (2010, Cannes Un Certain Regard) – International sales
A Touch of Sin (2013, Cannes Best Screenplay) – International sales
Jia Zhangke, A Guy From Fenyang (2015, documentary by Walter Salles) – International Sales
Mountains May Depart (2015, Cannes Official Selection) – Coproduction & International Sales

Fabula Entertainment

Fabula Entertainment launched in May 2016 is an integrated company that develops, finances and produces commercials, films and creative content for the Chinese and the international market. Chinese director Jia Zhangke is the founder, chairman of the board and major shareholder. Fabula Entertainment is also active in film education and film related lifestyle.