Abstract: Chinese film started from the creation cultural form that favoured popular culture. After going through the temporary coexistence of propagendist and commercial standards, it turned into the monistic setup of pan-politicization. It is not until the new period when the art standard has gradually been established and the commercial tradition has arduously been restored, that the creation cultural setup has really been formed, in which polyelements exist side by side and mix together. The ups and downs of Chinese film creation in different periods tell us that only by keeping abreast with the time, taking as the basis the conformity with the social, historical and cultural tendency, and establishing the correct creation cultural consciousness from the angle of the epochal character, will creation be prosperous and can both the art and the commercial harvests be available.

Key words: Chinese film, film creation, popular culture, elite cultural consciousness, art autonomy, commercial film, theme film