The Maritime Silk Road International Documentary Film Festival 2023 concluded in Quanzhou, East China’s Fujian Province, on Thursday. Over 400 industry insiders from around the world attended the event, sharing insights on how to establish a more robust international platform for documentaries. Guests highlighted China as a ‘treasure’ for documentary filmmaking, capable of conveying an honest and unbiased image of the nation globally.
Producer Miao Tong, known for the documentary series “A Long Cherished Dream,” highlighted the importance of showing the real lives and thoughts of Chinese people to a global audience. Despite negative rhetoric about China in some Western media, there is a substantial audience with an open and curious mindset who want to know the truth, Miao noted.
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Malcolm Clarke, who also worked on “A Long Cherished Dream,” expressed his intention to tell a story that is both honest and fair. Clarke first came to China in the 1980s and, upon his return in 2013, was astounded by the rapid development he witnessed. “I’d like to say to my Western friends, if you really want to see the future, come to China,” he asserted at the film festival.
Miao acknowledged Clarke’s professionalism and dedication to narrowing the “information gap” between China and the West. Many international filmmakers and producers, like Clarke, have witnessed China’s true nature and believe that escalating confrontations are dangerous and meaningless.
“As producer and director of ‘A Long Cherished Dream’, the two experts said the feedback they received from international audiences shows that they were moved by the credible depictions of Chinese people. “Through ‘A Long Cherished Dream,’ audiences can see their own reflections in the struggles and sacrifices of these individuals, finding points of resonance,” Miao explained.
Mathieu Béjot, director of strategy and development of international documentary marketplace Sunny Side of the Doc, suggested that the world needs more stories about China. He believes that strong, compelling stories that resonate internationally will naturally shed light on China.
Wang Yuxiao, a video creator on the Bilibili platform, was also invited to share his perspective. Such internet-savvy creators are critical in the development of Chinese documentaries, uncovering engaging stories and providing valuable inspiration to feature-length documentary filmmakers.
Despite these successes, Miao noted that challenges persist in disseminating Chinese documentaries globally. There are obstacles posed by a hostile Western media environment, and China is still seeking to produce more outstanding works that utilize narrative styles resonant with Western audiences.
“It is up to us to tell the world what we see in China, but it is also up to China to do a better job of telling its own stories, because there are 1.4 billion fantastic stories in this country, and the world deserves to hear them,” said Clarke. The film festival underscored the importance of showcasing these stories, emphasizing the power of documentaries in bridging cultures and understanding.
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