Caribbean films screened in Beijing to promote cultural exchanges
Updated 21:06, 25-Apr-2019
Wu Yan
["china"]
02:39
"Caribbean films screening offers our Caribbean filmmakers an opportunity to show what they do and to tell stories from our part to the world," said François Jackman, Barbados Ambassador to China, "It also offers Chinese films goers an opportunity to see what is going on in the Caribbean."
Beijing Caribbean Films Take II, co-organized by the Institute of Culture Innovation and Communication of Beijing Normal University (BNU) and the Organizing Committee of Beijing College Student Film Festival, opened in Beijing Normal University on April 23, 2019.
The two-day film screening selects eight films from four Caribbean countries (Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Bahamas) to present the Chinese audience with the splendid cultures of Caribbean countries through scenes of life, arts, history, music, and economy, and promote cultural exchanges between China and Caribbean countries.
Guests from Caribbean countries and UNESCO and organizers pose for a photo call during the opening ceremony at Beiguo Theatre, Beijing Normal University, on April 23, 2019. /Photo courtesy of the organizer of Beijing Caribbean Films Take II

Guests from Caribbean countries and UNESCO and organizers pose for a photo call during the opening ceremony at Beiguo Theatre, Beijing Normal University, on April 23, 2019. /Photo courtesy of the organizer of Beijing Caribbean Films Take II

Rommel Hall, a film director from Barbados, brought two of his films this time, "The Abiola Movie" and "Liquid Gold: The Story of Rum in Barbados."
"I'm very excited to be here and very excited to share the Caribbean with the world," said Hall when attending the opening ceremony.
"The Abiola Movie" covers a universal issue by recalling teens struggles that a Barbadian woman experienced, while "The Story of Rum in Barbados" shows Barbadian culture through the famous drink that born in the country.
"I really hope that people do respond to our films and they really can get something from what we have to offer," said Hall.
During the opening ceremony, a film was screened featuring twelve female Chinese descendants, who live in Trinidad and Tobago, facing the problem of identity cognition.
"I think it's a nice thing, a bit of diversity. It's kind of open up Chinese people to a different experience about Chinese descendants in other parts of the world," said Kenneth St. Brice (Junior), a young man from Trinidad and Tobago in the audience.
Guests from Caribbean countries interact with the audience after the screening of a film at Beiguo Theatre, Beijing Normal University, on April 23, 2019. /Photo courtesy of the organizer of Beijing Caribbean Films Take II 

Guests from Caribbean countries interact with the audience after the screening of a film at Beiguo Theatre, Beijing Normal University, on April 23, 2019. /Photo courtesy of the organizer of Beijing Caribbean Films Take II 

"The sceneries in the Caribbean countries are stunning because the film presents bright colors. There are many shots of carnivals in the film, which fascinate me," said Huang Liya, a student from Beijing Normal University after watching the film, "I wish I could visit there sometime in the future."
"The Caribbean is a region of enthusiasm, mysteries and various cultures in Chinese eyes. Only a few Chinese actually visited there, but many are eager to visit this legendary region," said Yu Dan, dean of the Institute of Culture Innovation and Communication, Beijing Normal University.
Caribbean countries have exerted many efforts in attracting Chinese tourists. In 2013, Bahamas enacted a visa-free policy to Chinese. Since then, many Caribbean countries followed suit, including Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
"China and Caribbean countries have many cooperative opportunities no matter in economic cooperation or cultural exchanges. So we hope such film screening can open another channel," said Yu.
And both sides expect more. "There are many ways you can invest in Jamaica," said Cherett Campbell, minister counselor at the Embassy of Jamaica when speaking about the development of the Jamaican film industry. As the "cultural powerhouse of the Caribbean" positioning itself as "a major producer of creative products for global consumption," Jamaica is seeking business opportunities in building its film/animation industry.
Audience ask questions to the guests from Caribbean countries after the screening of a film at Beiguo Theatre, Beijing Normal University, on April 23, 2019. /Photo courtesy of the organizer of Beijing Caribbean Films Take II 

Audience ask questions to the guests from Caribbean countries after the screening of a film at Beiguo Theatre, Beijing Normal University, on April 23, 2019. /Photo courtesy of the organizer of Beijing Caribbean Films Take II 

Highlighting cultural understanding and people-to-people relations being the foundations of the solid relationship between China and Caribbean countries, Barbados Ambassador François Jackman said, "Once you develop those kinds of relationships, other things will follow. Trade, commerce, economic cooperation can follow."
To facilitate cooperation, more and more Caribbean countries have joined in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). On May 14, 2018, Trinidad and Tobago signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Initiative with China, becoming the first country in the Caribbean to reach an agreement of its kind.
Earlier this year, Barbados and Jamaica also signed such MoUs, further deepening the relationships between China and the Caribbean countries.
"Belt and Road Initiative is open. More and more people will be willing to communicate because of understanding, and then cooperate because of communication," said Yu Dan, "We will have more partners in the Caribbean region."
Director: Wu Yan
Videographer: Li Ang
Video editor: Wu Chutian
Top image designer: Sa Ren
Copy editor: Katrin Büchenbacher, Keely Stanley
Chief editor: Pei Jian, Zhou Zongxin