Chinese actor Liu Haoran (R), Singaporean director Anthony Chen (C) and Chinese actress Zhou Dongyu pose during a photocall for the film "Ran Dong" (The Breaking Ice) at the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, on May 22, 2023. (Photo by Li Bohan/Xinhua)
In recent years, the global film market has seen an increase in the number of Chinese films presented at international film festivals, as well as more intense cross-border partnerships between Chinese and international filmmakers and actors.
CANNES, France, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese filmmakers and actors attending the Cannes Film Festival in Southern France have recently stressed the importance of international communication on promoting film industry development.
The 76th edition of the festival runs from May 16 to 27. Films starred by Chinese actors, such as Only the River Flows and The Breaking Ice, are competing in the festival's Un Certain Regard section.
Over the weekend, Chinese film director Ning Hao told journalists that "At the Cannes Film Festival, Chinese filmmakers and actors actively promote excellent films and communicate with international film directors, producers and actors to see what they have done. Especially after a period of silence for the film industry during the pandemic, this kind of communication is very important."
Actress Yao Chen addresses the 2023 Cannes Film Festival China's New Talents Going Global Program event held in Cannes, France, on May 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
"When the pandemic started, many of us were confused about the future. But films can also give people hope and strength, that power can be transmitted," Chinese actress Yao Chen said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.
"Now Chinese films are coming back to the international film festivals. We exchange information and present our works to let the world know more about Chinese films. This is very valuable," she said.
In recent years, the global film market has seen an increase in the number of Chinese films presented at international film festivals, as well as more intense cross-border partnerships between Chinese and international filmmakers and actors.
On Friday night, four Chinese films -- Moon Man, The Cord of Life, Vanished Girl, and Football on the Roof -- received film shortlist certificates of 2023 Cannes Film Festival China's New Talents Going Global Program.
Actress Huang Lu arrives for the opening ceremony of the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Chinese actress Huang Lu, shortlisted in several international film festivals, also appeared in Cannes this year. She said the "heat" of the festival has recovered to pre-pandemic levels. "Everyone is full of energy, and many domestic and foreign projects and cooperation are being actively promoted."
"The progress and development of Chinese film is rapid, more and more people are willing to pay attention to the industry. Chinese film is based on a very profound cultural heritage, and the industry has been actively communicating with the world," Huang told Xinhua.
Regarding the Cannes Film Festival as an important global event and exchange platform, Ning said, "In recent years, the development of the Chinese film market has been obvious. The film itself is an effective way of cultural exchange."
"In addition to actively participating in international film festivals, we should also do well in our own festivals, so that the exchange can be more efficient," Ning added.
Chinese director Wei Shujun (C), actor Zhu Yilong (2nd R), actress Chloe Maayan (2nd L), actor Tong Linkai (1st R), and actress Liu Baisha (1st L) pose during a photocall for the film "He Bian De Cuo Wu" (Only the River Flows) in competition for the category Un Certain Regard at the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)■
