ISLAMABAD: Representatives from Chinese and Pakistani film industries and production houses have called for greater cooperation and exchanges in the field of cinematography through joint production.

They also made suggestions for revival of Pakistani cinema through training workshops for filmmakers and technicians, expansion of market and diversification of audience by removing language barriers.

Academics, filmmakers and artists from the two countries were speaking at a conference on ‘Chinese and Pakistani cinemas’ at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Friday.

The conference was part of the four-day film festival organised by Chinese Cultural Centre in collaboration with the country’s embassy, Chinese Film Corporation and Film Archives in connection with the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the people’s republic.

Professor Zhou Xing, Director of Art Education, Research Centre, Beijing Normal University, Zhang Xin, Director of the Department of Exchange and Cooperation of Network of International Culture Link Entities, and Wang Xinglin, Chairman of the China Film Group Corporation explained Chinese cinema and the potential and opportunities for their Pakistani counterparts in China.

They said China’s cinema had become No1 industry in the world after Hollywood producing about 900 films a year and earning billions of dollars at the box office.

They said compared to Pakistan making a movie in China was costlier because of its post-production cost and effects. A film costs $700m in China compared to $3,000 in Pakistan.

China has 60,000 screens and adds 30 per day. Over 1.6 billion people buying tickets to the cinemas.Chinese films grossed$500 millionoverseas.

PNCA Managing Director Jamal Shah, Aijaz Gul, noted filmmaker and distributor Satish Anand, Sadia Jabbar, CEO Sadia Jabbar Productions, filmmaker Raja Khan, renowned playwright, filmmaker and director Shahid Mehmood Nadeem, filmmaker Farooq Baig and Serendip Productions CEO Huma Baig also stressed the need for arranging workshops for Pakistani technicians and filmmakers to benefit from the Chinese expertise and technology.

Mr Shah said Pakistan had a great potential for film productions in terms of its beautiful locations, sites of ancient civilisations and heritages. The time-tested friendship does not reflect at cultural level and in films.

He urged the film aficionados and governments to explore means for creating space for the two countries’ cinemas and encouraging join productions.

China has a great potential to expand its world market. But language barrier is a major hurdle in expanding Chinese cinema in Pakistan, said Sadia Jabbar.

Earlier, Prof Zhou in a digital presentation spoke about the 114 years history, evolution, traditional and aesthetic representation of Chinese cinematography.

He also spoke about the three important traditions of early Chinese films - family ethics comedy and martial art.

He also touched upon the first golden era of Chinese films (1930-1940) which highlighted the miseries of the people that surprised European filmmakers for using neorealism.

He also spoke about the film of the new China since the founding of the People’s Republic in Oct 1949 depicting the exploitation and oppression of the working class, ethnic diversity and a true depiction of youth, love and emotional expression.

Professor Zhou spoke about the great changes the Chinese film industry witnessed after the economic reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping in 1978. Directors of the fourth generation created some excellent films ushering Chinese cinema into a new era.

Fifth generation directors

Prof Zhou spoke about the fifth generation directors who connected with the world featuring new form of expression, distinctive culture and diversity of life and won awards at Berlin Film Festival.

Chinese cinema with innovation and expansion of artistic creations and market has enhanced cooperation with filmmakers, opened its market to countries along the Belt and Road Initiative and doing co-productions with Hollywood, he said.

In the 21st century, Chinese cinema is bringing in more films including commercial film from other countries.

“We learn from others, carry forward the tradition of Chinese cinema, promote productions in demand and cultivate the young generation to work together with veteran directors,” the professor noted.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2019