From: Utpal Borpujari
Panaji: With films like Aamir Khan-starrer “3 Idiots” becoming big Box Office hits in China and an Indo-China Audio-Visual Co-production Agreement having been signed last September, all eyes are on the large Chinese contingent at the 45th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
While several acclaimed Chinese feature films are being screened at the festival, a high-profile delegation, comprising actress Zhang Ziyi and actor Tony Leung among others, are enjoying the sights and sounds of Goa. Incidentally, Ziyi stars in Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wai’s film “Grandmaster”, which is the closing film of the festival.
The Chinese films, being screened at Kala Academy, the largest auditorium of the festival, have proved to be a big draw here.
The fact that films by top directors like Peter Hu-Sun Chan (“American Dreams in China”), Gao Qunshu (“Beijing Blues”), Chen Kaige (“Caught in the Web”), Charlie Yeung (“Christmas Rose”), Jing Wang (“Feng Shui”) and Xue Xiaulu (“Finding Mr Right”) are part of the focus section is in itself proof of the high importance China has bestowed on IFFI.
Quite clearly, the Indian side is highly excited about this new cinematic “Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai” mood. “Indian and Chinese movies are very popular amongst the masses so we thought we should understand the best of technologies of both the countries. We have got together to understand each other so that we operationalise the (coproduction) agreement,” says Information & Broadcasting Ministry Secretary Bimal Julka.
Responding with positivity, Chinese Information Minister Tony Gong says, “I believe we should proceed first with the coproduction of films. The two parties can hold mutual film exhibitions to show each other and help the audience learn a lot about Indian and Chinese films.”
Actress Zhang Ziyi too is excited by the turn of events, and she believes that Bollywood’s song and dance sequences could be combined with Chinese martial arts to attract movie goers in both countries.
“We are honored to be here. We thank all for giving great opportunity for all Chinese filmmakers to showcase their works here. I love the beautiful dances and songs of Bollywood. I’ m just thinking if we could combine Indian dance and songs with our martial arts in future,” says Zhang.
“The Lunchbox is a beautiful film, and 3 Idiots is so popular in China,” she says. “Whether it is about songs and dance sequences, or the way love stories are handled, we love Bollywood.”
(Published in Eastern Chronicle, http://www.easternchronicle.net; 28-11-2014)
Utpal Borpujari 