Asian filmmaking masters gather in Beijing

The renowned Indian filmmaker Aamir Khan walks the red carpet on the evening of Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the opening of Asian Film and TV Week. [Photo provided to China Plus]

High-profile filmmakers from across Asia gathered in Beijing recently for Asian Film and TV Week, where they discussed how increasing cultural ties can help to develop a unique language for Asian cinema.

The Chinese director Jia Zhangke presided over a forum called "Masters in Conversation", where he was joined by 13 other leading Asian filmmakers including Aamir Khan from India, Majid Majidi from Iran, Chen Kaige from China, and the Oscar-winning Japanese director Takita Youjirou. A major take away from the event was that co-productions help build people-to-people bonds, and that this is the way to generate a language of Asian cinema.

The actor Chen Daoming, who also heads the China Film Association, said he believes that emotional films more easily convey values that can be understood across borders. And the Singaporean director Neo Chee Keong Jack suggested that producers invite directors from different nations to shoot short films with the same theme, with the aim of turning it into a feature-length film that can be screened in the participating countries with the goal of helping different peoples to enhance their mutual understanding.

Another topic discussed at the gathering was the role of Asian films in promoting cultural inheritance and mutual learning among civilizations.

The Chinese veteran director Chen Kaige (left) speaks at "Masters in Conversation", a part of Asian Film and TV Week that opened in Beijing on Thursday, May 16, 2019. [Photo provided to China Plus]

Asian Film and TV Week also includes Asian Film Week 2019, which will showcase 60 films from 30 Asian countries at screenings in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Xi'an.

The Chinese veteran actress Zhang Ziyi attends "Masters in Conversation", which is part of Asian Film and TV Week that opened in Beijing on Thursday, May 16, 2019. [Photo provided to China Plus]