Collaboration, sharing new ideas ‘important’
China’s film market has been recovering in the post-epidemic era and, with its bright prospects, has become an essential consideration for international filmmakers.
French director Frederic Auburtin is among those who are seeking stronger connections with China’s movie industry. It was a Chinese film shot in Yunnan three years ago that helped Auburtin develop close relationship with Chinese filmmakers and producers. The director shared his excitement with China Daily in an interview on April 22 amid the Beijing International Film Festival.
Auburtin expressed interest in working with Chinese filmmakers because of their “incredible talent” and the “unique energy” they bring to the production. He hailed his previous activities in cooperating with Chinese and Vietnamese producers as “absolutely unique” experiences that he hopes to replicate.
Auburtin said during the film festival that it has been a great opportunity to witness “a new birth of fresh air in the Chinese film industry” in the post-epidemic era, and that he believes it is now the perfect time to collaborate with Chinese filmmakers on new and interesting projects.
“It is important to develop and share new ideas and techniques, rather than remaining selfish and closed off,” said Auburtin, who is confident he will create very interesting films with his Chinese partners.
When asked about cooperation amid different cultural elements, he said cultural and language barriers are not so easy to understand but the unique way to tell stories with different perspectives is what is valuable for filmmakers and audiences alike.
He shared this idea while commenting on commercial versus artistic films. Auburtin said it is the same as music — good ones come in all shapes. The quality of a film “depends on who is part of the creative process”.