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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: China-Malaysia Film Culture Festival showcases diverse cinematic talents
KUALA LUMPUR: Popular Malaysian films Guang, directed by Quek Shio Chuan, and Sepet, by the late Yasmin Ahmad, are among the country's cinematic representatives at the Second China-Malaysia Film Culture Festival, running from June 5 to 8. A total of six Chinese and three Malaysian movies will be screened in conjunction with the festival at GSC Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur, and GSC Gurney Plaza in George Town, Penang. The Chinese film lineup includes The Goddess (1934), Hong Kong's It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World (1987), Creation Of The Gods 1: Kingdom Of Storms (2023), Creation Of The Gods 2: Demon Force (2025), Honey Money Phony (2024), and A Place Called Silence (2024). The other Malaysian film is Blooms Of Happiness (2025), directed by Ryon Lee. The festival, organised by Lomo Pictures Sdn Bhd with support from the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), GSC International Screens, and the China Film Archive, was officially launched today by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching at GSC Mid Valley Megamall. Also present at the event were Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, the festival's organiser Aron Koh, its head of exhibition Pan Vui Shang, and China Film Archive director Li Tao. Koh highlighted that this year's festival brings together a compelling lineup of cinematic works from Malaysia and China, ranging from restored heritage films and contemporary hits to forums exploring the intersection of cinema with extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI). "This year's festival offers audiences an immersive cultural exchange through the universal language of film," he said. Koh added, "This festival offers a unique platform for filmmakers, industry professionals, and young enthusiasts from both countries to share their passion and perspectives. Through dialogue and collaboration, it highlights the power of cinema to celebrate diversity and bridge cultures." Teo emphasised the festival's broader significance, saying, "The festival is more than a celebration of cinema; it is a growing platform for deepening cooperation and joint creation between our two countries. With our shared cultural affinity and minimal language barriers, we see greater potential for co-productions across film, animation, and new technologies." Koh noted that this year's festival marks a first for China's newly restored 1934 silent classic, The Goddess, starring Ruan Lingyu, a defining work in Chinese film history. "As for the Malaysian films, they represent heartfelt storytelling rooted in local culture, offering audiences a rich view of Malaysia's cinematic voice," he added. The festival also features special industry programmes, including a forum on AI and filmmaking, as well as an acting workshop led by renowned Hong Kong director Clifton Ko. Lomo Pictures also announced a long-term strategic partnership with Beijing Tianying Holdings Group, with plans to co-develop the first-ever XR co-production between China and Malaysia. "This marks a new chapter in transnational film-tech collaboration, underlining Malaysia's growing relevance on the global creative stage," Koh said. He added that following its Malaysian chapter, the festival will travel to Xi'an, China, further expanding the conversation and cultural bridge across borders. Hans affirmed that film unites people across countries, and Malaysia is ready to share its cinematic treasures with other nations while also getting acquainted with state-of-the-art developments in Chinese cinema.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Roundup: Chinese film week in Budapest promotes cultural exchange through cinema
BUDAPEST, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The third edition of the "Imazsia Chinese film week," which opened here on Saturday evening, featured Chinese films ranging from contemporary hits to award-winning classics. In an interview with Xinhua, Victoria Varadi, the event's chief organizer, expressed gratitude for the extensive support from Chinese institutions, including the China Film Administration, the China Film Archive, the Beijing Film Academy, and the Chinese Embassy in Hungary. She also highlighted the growth of the festival, which now includes not only film screenings but also workshops, cultural showcases, and audience meetings with filmmakers. "It is a great joy to see how the Film Week has developed since its inception," Varadi said in her keynote speech at the opening ceremony at the historic Urania National Film Theatre in Budapest. "This year, our program features eight films, including three festival-award winners and five contemporary audience favorites." The opening ceremony showcased a dynamic performance by the Face Team acrobatic basketball group, known internationally for their appearances in Britain's Got Talent and Cirque du Soleil. The festival opened with the screening of "Her Story" from Shanghai, a 2024 Chinese comedy directed by Shao Yihui. Upcoming films in the program include "Blush," "Detective Chinatown 1900," and "The Wandering Earth 2." Notably, the festival also hosts a Contemporary Chinese Literature Club, with author Su Tong, known for his novel "Blush," participating in a roundtable discussion. Audiences in Budapest demonstrated enthusiasm for the event. Gabor Dicserdi, a 46-year-old construction cost manager, said he appreciated the opportunity to discover a curated selection of films he would not find on streaming platforms. "We watched a documentary today, and we will come back for the closing film next week," he added. Meanwhile, Marta Fekszi, CEO of Origo Filmstudio, underscored the importance of building long-term ties with Chinese filmmakers. "We are always grateful for the visit of Chinese delegations, and we hope to collaborate on future productions," she said. "Over the past two days, I had a profound experience at Urania: attending Su Tong's reader event and the Asian film screening exhibition. It made me realize how Chinese culture is now reaching the world with real depth and diversity, not just as entertainment," Fan Liyun, a Chinese teacher at the Confucius Institute at Miskolc University in Hungary told Xinhua.
