NGC Asia to Co-Produce Shanghai Doc

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SHANGHAI: National Geographic Channel Asia is set to co-produce an international version of a documentary about Shanghai, called The Bund, originally developed by Shanghai Media Group (SMG) and Central Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio (CNDF).

Directed by CNDF’s Zhou Bing, The Bund, over 5 one-hour HD episodes, depicts the evolution and rising global influence of central Shanghai over the past century.  There is also a two-hour theatrical version, which premieres in China today. NGC will air the international version of The Bund series to more than 330 million homes worldwide in 2011.

This continues an almost decade-long partnership between NGC and SMG to deliver docs about China to the world. And NGC and Zhou Bing previously cooperated with China Central Television on The Forbidden City, which was transmitted to a global audience of 290 million homes on NGC in 2006.

Li Run-Gang, the president of SMG, commented: “Director Zhou Bing is a storyteller who aspires to introduce Shanghai to a global audience that is keen to know this fascinating city. In The Bund, he celebrates the city’s uniqueness and delivers a true reflection of Shanghai. We are delighted to partner with National Geographic Channel to bring The Bund to the world through its renowned production standards and global network.”

“Helping us to develop engaging and relevant content about China for a global audience, SMG and CNDF are valuable partners of National Geographic Channel," added Zubin Gandevia, COO for Asia at FOX International Channels. "We are honored to have the opportunity to continue to grow this treasured relationship. It not only lets us continue to diversify our international content with outstanding subjects about China, but also fosters the local documentary filmmaking industry as a core National Geographic mission. With increasing awareness of the wealth of filmmaking talent in Asia and growing international curiosity about China, there is huge potential for Chinese entertainment today, both in China and worldwide."