Guests watch a short video at the opening ceremony of the 2022 China Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Under the theme of "China Film Centennial -- The Inheritance of Films," the film festival is expected to become an important platform for both sides to enhance people-to-people understanding and friendship between Malaysia and China.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Film collaboration is a fertile common ground to enhance bilateral relations between Malaysia and China by strengthening people-to-people exchanges, Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin has said.
In his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2022 China Film Festival in Malaysia on Thursday evening, Zahidi said the film festival will become an important platform for both sides to enhance people-to-people understanding and friendship between Malaysia and China.
"I am hopeful that the film festival will not only provide a glimpse of quality entertainment to the audience, but also pave the way for further cooperation between film industries of our two countries," he said.
"This film festival is also part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between film industries of Malaysia and China. It provides an opportunity for filmmakers and producers from both countries to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and hopefully identify opportunities for collaboration," he added.
For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said there was a longstanding tradition of film collaboration between China and Malaysia.
People have become more approachable and closer to each other thanks to films. Films help enormously to increase mutual understanding between peoples. They also help to strengthen ties and consolidate friendship between countries and societies, he said.
Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2022 China Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
These works to be screened will provide a window for people to learn the extraordinary history and achievements of Chinese films in the past 100 years. They themselves stand good evidence to the world of strong ties and close connection between China and Malaysia. These films will definitely bring a unique cultural experience to the Malaysian people, the ambassador said.
This year's festival, with the theme of "China Film Centennial -- The Inheritance of Films", will run through Sept. 18.
Eighteen excellent Chinese films and two Malaysian films will be presented to the audience, which include both newly produced ones and the classics restored.
Some of the Chinese films to be screened include Cliff Walkers, Hi, Mom, A Writer's Odyssey, Leap, and The Wandering Earth. ■
