Produced by China Media Group (CMG) and Argentina Radio and Television, the documentaries co-produced by China and Argentina, "Glamorous Argentina" and "Glamorous China," made its debut at Argentina's Kirchner Cultural Center on November 28, local time, which also happens to be the venue of this year's G20 Summit.
When Argentina is mentioned, most people think of dancing, football and Lionel Messi. Luckily for anyone interested in the South American nation, a new documentary titled "Glamorous Argentina," is giving viewers a glimpse into more of the country's wonders.
Just like the crew members of "Glamorous Argentina" are all from China, the two-episode, 120-minute "Glamorous China" is shot from the perspective of Argentinians.
Two dancers are performing at the premiere of “Glamorous Argentina” and “Glamorous China,” at the Kirchner Cultural Center in Buenos Aires, November 28. /CGTN Photo
In order to make the documentary "Glamorous China," Ariel Piluso, the general director of the documentary led a team of eight people to film in China for 21 days. He accepted the interview with CCTV and told the reporter about his 21-day film shoot and his first impression of China in the 90s. Until then, like most Argentines, their perceptions of China was mostly the old China, or 1960s.
Piluso choose four places including Beijing, Shanghai, Guizhou and Hangzhou, as the director said, in addition to the political center of Beijing and the economic center of Shanghai, they also chose Hangzhou, the remarkable place where the G20 Summit held in China, and Guizhou, which has a different traditional culture and nice relationship with Argentina.
Piluso told the reporter that what shocked him most was the Miao village in Guizhou, where the once poor and backward village had undergone significant changes in only five years.
Ariel Piluso, director of the documentary "Glamorous China." /CGTN Photo
“There are lots of things in common surprisingly,” said Piluso. “We found that the culture, the look of the people, the craft they did, the silver craft, the textiles, even their songs were very similar to our culture, the ancient culture of South America.”
In the interview, he expressed his expectation and views on the changes in China in recent years.
The great change of Miao village is only a microcosm. In Piluso's lens, many surprising Chinese phenomena make them start to think about their own country.
Piluso hoped people who are interested in China will have more opportunities to look into China.
The G20 Summit in Argentina this year adds one more link between China and the passionate South American country. "Passion," as Director Piluso said, is the common language between us, and no barriers can hinder efforts for the two sides to get to know each other.
According to Piluso, the “Glamorous China” will be two episodes, with 60 minutes each. Argentine Radio and Television began broadcasting the documentaries in primetime on November 29.