Chinese and German filmmakers aim to learn from each other

Chinese director Yang Chao shares his opinion on German films. [Photo/CGTN]

"The way the German filmmakers focus on reality is really something Chinese filmmakers should learn," said Chinese director Yang Chao, a Silver Bear award winner at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale).

"I kept getting inspirations from German films and German culture," he added.

German films never lacked fans in China, and Yang is definitely an avid one. Last year, he took home the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution for Cinematography at Berlinale for his film Crosscurrent.

He's become an advocate for German cinema and hopes more moviegoers in China will familiarize themselves with it as well. At the opening ceremony, Yang, together with Chinese director Liu Jian, whose work also made into the main competition at the 67th Berlinale, and a lineup of German filmmakers appeared to promote German films.

Communications between two countries

In the past few decades, Chinese filmmakers have been frequent participants at the Berlin International Film Festivals (Berlinale). Renowned directors Ang Lee, Zhang Yimou, were also among the Golden Bear and Silver Bear award winners.

While Chinese films are not unknown in Germany, people are working on bringing German films to Chinese audiences.

Enrico Brandt, the Cultural Consular at the German Embassy in China, who has been organizing all types of cultural communication events between the two countries, believed that Chinese audiences will be able to relate to these films because they deal with problems about how to face the past, present, and family relationships, which are universal problems.

He believes it's important to allow Chinese audiences know Germany and its people's life though movies.