Witness 'a very different China' at London's China Film Festival

The 2024 China Film Festival has opened in London. The event, hosted by the China Film Administration, is screening six Chinese films at what organizers say is a great opportunity to showcase the diversity and charm of Chinese cinema to the world.

Screening on the opening night was One and Only, which is about street dancing. It has been described as a testament to the power of perseverance and the organizers said that it paints a similar picture to classic British films such as Billy Elliott and Chariots of Fire.

The event was opened by the Chinese ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang and he told the audience that film is so important for "cultural exchange, collaboration and enhancing friendship between China and Britain."

"I know some of you have been to China. Many of you have not but please use these six movies as an invitation to see the real China," the ambassador urged. "I think the China you're going to see will be very different from what you read in the press here. So enjoy the movie and come to visit China."

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Chinese film is taking on an increasing international significance. The Wandering Earth 2 which is one of the films being shown was the first Chinese film to open in China and in the UK on the same day.

The Wandering Earth 2 was in the top 10 films worldwide in 2023 and it became the highest-grossing Chinese-language film in the UK box office over the past 15 years.

In 2014, the UK and China signed a film co-production agreement with the aim of encouraging closer cultural ties. Rupert Daniels from the Department for Business and Trade spoke of the UK government's support for the film industry and encouraged people from all over the world – and particularly from China – to take advantage.

"You can tell from the buzz around us that Chinese cinema is really where its at, at the moment," Rupert Daniels told CGTN Europe. "And if you bring that together with the UK, you’ve got some real magic and we’re looking forward to seeing what we can do between China and the UK to make this even more special."

China's film market generated $8 billion in box office revenue in 2023, with domestically made films accounting for almost 84 percent of that. And as the country pushes to become a major cinematic player, China Film Administration hopes that festivals like this can play a part in connecting Chinese film and international audiences.

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