One of Hollywood's latest blockbusters -- Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, starring Arnold Schwar-zenegger -- will hit local screens next month.

The film will be released by Huaxia Film Distribution Co Ltd, a new Beijing-based distributor of imported films.

"The film will symbolize the end of China Film Group Corp's more-than-five-decade monopoly on imported films," said Zhao Jun, vice manager of the firm.

Launched on June 19, the company with 60-million yuan (US$7.23 million) in investment from 19 firms, including Shanghai United Cinema Line and Shanghai Film Group Corp, now shares distribution rights of imported films on the Chinese mainland with China Film. The movie choice for each distributor is decided by lucky draw.

Huaxia is making all efforts to ensure that Terminator becomes a hit, according to Beijing Youth Daily.

It has invested about 3 million yuan to develop a record-high 300 copies in the country. The previous record was 280 copies for Titanic in 1997. Huaxia is optimistic about the film's success, estimating it will reap "at least 50 million yuan nationwide."

The firm has also got the distribution rights for The Hulk, the latest work of famed director Ang Lee. The movie is scheduled for local release on September 11.

Wu Hehu, marketing director of United Cinema Line, hailed Huaxia's arrival. "Finally, China Film's monopoly is coming to an end. That's nice for us since with a rival around, both will improve their service."

Nevertheless, the proportion of annual film imports into China will still remain the same -- 50 percent of all distributed domestic films. Imported films can include a maximum of 20 blockbusters -- films which are not directly bought by distributors -- whose box office receipts the two companies must share with overseas distributors and mainland cinemas.

(Eastday.com July 29, 2003)