CGTN interviewed Liu Chun, general manager of China Film Co-production Company (CFCC), on August 24, the third day of the 10th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF). Liu analyzed the impact of domestic and foreign co-productions under the epidemic from a professional perspective and introduced the types of Chinese films and co-productions that have been popular abroad in recent years.

Founded in 1979, CFCC is a company solely authorized by China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television to administer affairs relating to Chinese-foreign film co-productions. CFCC is always ready to provide filmmakers wishing to film in Chinese mainland with all-round information related to co-production policies, industry landscape and co-production resources.

When talking about the impact of the epidemic on the sector, Liu said that some of the films that have been completed, including co-productions, were originally scheduled for release in the first half of this year, but were unable to make their way to official release. Some of the films planned for shooting in the first half of the year have not started due to the epidemic.

Such a situation is common around the world. And cooperation between countries and regions has also been affected, Liu said.

Travel restriction adopted are affecting foreign crews entering China and domestic teams going abroad for shooting overseas, he said.

However, according to the current development of the global pandemic and the requirements of epidemic prevention and control, this problem may not be easily aolved in the near future, he said. "Therefore, the specific production work of co-productions between Chinese mainland and Hong Kong may be relatively less challenging."

In the interview, he also mentioned that some films were shown on video platforms instead of cinemas due to the epidemic. Liu pointed out that regardless of the results and audience comments, many are reluctant to take this step.

But he also pointed out that the development of online video platform will help spread films more widely, for example, some of the more artistic and low-cost films are suitable for playing on video platforms. But some films with high technology and special effects have more visual impact when seen in the cinema.

When it comes to sino-foreign cooperation, it has to talk about the popularity of different types of Chinese films abroad. According to Liu Chun, due to the international popularity of Hong Kong films in the early days, martial arts films have great influence abroad.

Films such as "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers," directed by Zhang Yimou, have also highlighted Chinese elements. In the form of film and television, (action elements) are the most easily accepted themes among Chinese elements by other civilizations, other countries and other markets.

"So the genre of action movies, including some of Jackie Chan's early works, has a relatively high international popularity," Liu said.

"Now, of course, something has gradually changed." Liu said that most of the co-productions released in China in recent years, such as "The Meg" and "Kung Fu Panda," are still shot in a foreign-led way. However, in his opinion, it just shows that our creators can further improve in the spirit and skill.

"If we solve the shortcomings, I believe that any theme and film type, whether it is animation, feature film, costume film or modern film, will be accepted and liked by audiences in different countries and different markets," he added.

The 10th Beijing international film festival was held on August 22 to August 29, during which master classes, forums, film screenings and other activities were held, enriching the cultural life and spiritual world of the audience.

Reporter: Ye Qing

Videographer: Chen Haomin

Video editor: Chen Haomin

Cover image: Liu Shaozhen

Project manager: Deng Junfang

Supervisor: Zhang Shilei