Actor of 'Long Day's Journey Into Night' embraces French culture

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About two months after the arthouse film "Long Day's Journey Into Night" hit the theaters in China, its star Huang Jue attended another cultural and art event – the opening ceremony of the 24th Francophonie Festival in China at the French Cultural Center in Beijing on Thursday.

As the publicity ambassador of the event, the actor also announced that he would begin to learn to speak French systematically.

But why did the actor develop an interest in learning French?

Ties with France and French-speaking countries

Although not yet a perfect, Huang managed to learn a few French words from his wife, who studied in France. He also said he somehow felt he had an inner relationship with France. Except for starting a romantic relationship with his wife years ago in France, his last piece "Long Day's Journey Into Night" was also nominated the Prize of Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival last year.

During the interview with CGTN, Huang said "Long Day's Journey Into Night" was cooperation of China and France. Some distribution works and investment were arranged by a French company, which kept close communication with the crew members during the shooting. One of the cinematographers was also from France.

A poster of "Long Day's Journey Into Night" starring Huang Jue (L) and Tang Wei. /VCG Photo

As for the cultural and language convergence, the actor told us he was quite impressed when he visited Morocco, a country in Northwest Africa. The country is one of the Arabic countries, but French is the major language.

"Looking at them speaking French and praying in mosques, I could feel the mix-and-match of cultures," Huang said.

As for the films screened during the Francophonie Festival, the actor recommended "Bienvenue à Marly-Gaumont (Welcome to Marly-Gaumont)," a movie about how a black doctor who blends into a community where the residents had never seen a black person before.

An annual cultural carnival

Coming to the 24th edition, the Francophonie Festival in China is an annual cultural event held by the Embassy of France, and supported by other embassies and organizations of French-speaking countries in China, for cultural communication and language learning between the two sides.

Actor Huang Jue (3rd L) accepts the certificate of appointment for publicity ambassador at the 24th Francophonie Festival in China, February 28, 2019. /Photo courtesy of the 24th Francophonie Festival in China

With the theme "Games," this year's festival will run from March 1 to 31 in several major cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xi'an, Chengdu, Jinan, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Shenyang, etc. Activities vary across diversified art forms, from concerts, music festivals, ballets, photography exhibitions, to lectures, math contests, film screenings and games.

"Play games is to share, to entertain and to study," said Olivier Richard, minister-counselor of the Embassy of France in China, "The three words also reflects the spirit of the French world. Through games, we can learn the value of sharing and inclusiveness."

The festival will also feature three major contests, the "19th French Song Contest," "3rd French Theatre Contest," and the "5th Poetry Translation Contest."

Olivier Richard, the minister-counselor of the Embassy of France in China, speaks onstage during the opening ceremony of the 24th Francophonie Festival in China, February 28, 2019. /Photo courtesy of the 24th Francophonie Festival in China

"No matter to study French in China or study Chinese in France, or to learn any foreign language in any country," said Olivier Richard, "In essence, it's the communication and dialogue between different cultures."

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations. As noted by Huang, cultural exchange is beneficial for both countries.

"Our biggest cultural confidence is inclusivity," Huang Jue said, "The convergence has given us a driving force or characteristic to move forward."

Director: Jiang Qingrui

Video Editor: Liang Si

Videographer: Liang Si

Animation and Special Effects: Liang Si

Article Written by: Jiang Qingrui

Copy Editor: Josh McNally, Henry Zheng

Chief Editor: Wang Dewei, Qin Xiaohu