China News Service Manila, December 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese films in the eyes of Filipinos
China News Service reporter Zhang Xinglong
The Chinese film "One and Only", which is based on the new competition event break dancing in the Hangzhou Asian Games, was screened at the Newport Cinema in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, on the 2nd, which is the "finale" of the "Chinese Film Festival" series of screenings this year.
It is reported that the screening of the 11 Chinese Film Festival, which opened in Manila on November 28, will last until February 2023, 2024. During the event, six Chinese films, including "Warm", "Thirty Thousand Miles of Chang'an" and "The Wandering Earth 2", will be screened in the capital Manila, Neihu Province, Pampanga Province and other places.
On November 11, the 28 Chinese Film Festival opened in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The picture shows the upcoming screening of the Chinese film "Warm" at the opening ceremony. Photo by Jiang Yufeng
Let's start with two "One".
Anson is a museum worker in Manila. After learning about the screening of the film festival from a friend, he came to feast his eyes.
When it comes to Chinese films, Anson first thinks of Zhang Yimou's "Not One Less." In fact, out of his love for Zhang Yimou, he couldn't wait to rent a movie disc at a local video store shortly after the movie was released.
"By discussing the issue of rural education in the changing times, we will show the outside world that China's countryside is different from the city." When sharing his insights, Anson said that at that time, the film was a "small window" for Filipinos to understand the real China. For this reason, when he was visiting Hong Kong more than 20 years ago, he also bought a DVD of this movie, which he has collected to this day.
Coincidentally, more than 20 years later, Anson saw the Chinese film "Warm" on the screen of the Manila theater, and the film also has "One" in the translation of the title. In his opinion, there are similarities in the content expression of the two films, both reflecting the close connection between the individual and the collective in Chinese culture. Anson argues that "No One is Missing" embodies the quest for "collective integrity", while "Warmth" focuses on the personal dreams of young dancers, but also emphasizes growth in a collective environment. "It's about teamwork as well as about personal development." Anson concluded.
Looking at the similarities and differences between Chinese and Philippine cultures from Chinese movies
Agpao, a young Filipino man, has been exposed to Chinese films since he was a child, and although he can't recall the specific name now, he remembers that "that movie is related to Chinese kung fu, and the starring role is Jackie Chan." ”
One of Agpao's favorite Chinese films is Life Events, which was released in 2022. The film tells the story between Mo Sanmei, a morticist who has been released from prison, and Wu Xiaowen, an "orphan".
"Where did you go? What are you running around in the middle of the night? What should you do if you get lost? ”
"My father's name is Mo Sanmei, and my family lives in Heaven at No. 73, Huai'an Road, Yuhua District, Yanjiang City, and I won't lose it."
This is one of the most touching episodes of Agpao. From strangers who don't know each other to "father and daughter" who have become the bonds of each other's lives, the emotional bond between Mo Sanmei and Wu Xiaowen has long surpassed blood relationship.
In Agpao's life, there are also characters similar to "Mo Sanmei". "They chat with me, answer my questions, give me affectionate emotional support, and to me, they are my 'parents'." Agpao believes that this kind of simple emotional interaction between people "you are good to me, I am good to you" is universal in any culture, and this is also true in the cultures of the Philippines and China.
"Why do people cry when they die?" In this movie, there are also plots that Agpao cannot understand. Agpao, who came from a Christian family in Benguet Province in the northern Philippines, believed that death meant the end of suffering and a journey to heaven, and that the journey of life should be celebrated. Agpao said he gave the film a "high score" despite the fact that the funeral culture in the film was unfamiliar to him. He believes that this is an important way to understand different cultures.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said at the opening of the film festival that he believes that the film festival will help further deepen the cultural understanding of the Chinese and Philippine peoples. Perhaps, Agpao's feelings are the meaning of this film festival.
When asked about the "schedule" for early next year, Agpao said he had informed his brother, who works in Pampanga province, where there would be a screening in early February, and that he wanted to watch "Fengshen Part 2: Song of the Storm" with his family. Anson said that he is looking forward to "Thirty Thousand Miles of Chang'an", which will be screened in Manila in early February next year. (ENDS)