(Global Times) Established by the Chinese Guangxi Film Group, the Center for Film Translation of ASEAN Languages serves as an important platform for co-produced film projects between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors.
"Facing Southeast Asia, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region provides the nation with one of the most convenient routes to the sea. It's this special location that makes the region an important portal for the 21st Maritime Silk Road and the Silk Road Economic Belt," said Pan Huaiyuan, vice president of the Guangxi Film Group and the head of the center.
The center started translating and producing films in 2013. It was responsible for translating Vietnamese films, such as Hot Sand, Scent of Grass Ashes and Adrift, into Chinese, while also translating Chinese movies such as The Gift of Life into Vietnamese and Monkey King: Hero is Back, Saving Mr Wu and The Nightingale into Thai.
According to Pan, another important part of the center's efforts has been the cross-nation film weeks it has hosted. In December 2013, the first China-Vietnam Film Culture Week was held in Pingxiang, Guangxi ; the China-Singapore Film Culture Week in Nanning, the capital city of Guangxi in September 2014; and a China-Thailand Film Culture Week in Bangkok, Thailand in April 2016.
In 2016, Vietnam was the guest nation of honor at the 13th China-ASEAN Expo.
This connection between the two nations continues this year. The second China-Vietnam Film Week will be held in September and November in Nanning and Ho Chi Ming City, respectively. During the three-day film festivals, a total of six films from both countries will be screened. Additionally, forums and business talks on film will be held.
The center has also worked on a number of co-productions over the years. According to the Guangxi Film Group, the current plan is to complete one co-production every one or two years.
Distance is one example of the center's co-productions. Directed by filmmakers from China, Singapore and Thailand, the film tells three stories focusing on family, friendship and love that cross national boundaries. Distance was the opening film of the 52nd Taiwan Gold Horse Awards in 2015 and released internationally in 2016.
The center is currently working on Da Ben Xiang (The Giant Elephant), a Sino-Thai coproduction. It tells the story of a Chinese Thai archeologist who lives a disappointing life in a city. However, after he has a run in with an elephant, the two take on a mission to search their shared lost homeland. Production of the film is expected to finish during the second half of 2017.
"Film is a universal art form enjoyed by audiences around the world," Pan said. "China has the largest number of film screens in the world and is the second largest film market, while Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing markets for film. Both sides are eager to communicate and cooperate to expand movie co-productions."
Source: Global Times by Wei Xi