During the Beijing International Film Festival, film composer Simon Franglen spoke with CGTN's Ali during a cross-cultural exchange, offering live reactions to three Chinese film music pieces. He highlighted the distinct "flavor" of Chinese film music as a powerful cultural voice. For him, great scoring serves as a film's "heartbeat" – supporting story, dialogue and emotion rather than standing out. His advice to young composers: think holistically, seize key moments and refine your work with patience. As he listened, Franklin was struck by a deeply Chinese sense of loneliness – a quiet reminder that music, even in its solitude, builds bridges between cultures.