Interview: Venice Film Festival aims to deepen ties with China

Chinese cinema could become one of the "big players" in the Western markets, and the Venice Film Festival wishes to help with this, said director of the prestigious international film event Alberto Barbera here on Thursday.

"We would like to increase our relationship with the Chinese film industry and Chinese filmmakers. We will keep on looking for good Chinese films, and keep supporting Chinese films with themes that have international interest," Barbera, a renowned Italian film critic who has headed several international film festivals, told Xinhua in an interview.

There has been long-standing relationship between Venice and Chinese cinema, which began in the late 70s and the early 80s when Chinese films first came to Venice for the competition, Barbera said. "They got awards, international promotion, and attention from all over the world, and we have kept on having a strong interest on Chinese cinema ever since."

Established in 1932, the Venice Film Festival is the oldest-running film festival in the world, and one of the three major European film festivals.

Its 73rd edition, running form Aug. 31 to Sept. 10, attracted participants from some 43 countries and regions, with 20 films competing for the Golden Lion, the highest prize awarded at the festival.

The festival is also witnessing a growing trend of cooperation between Chinese and European film industries.

"I think there is an interest from both sides," said the director. "Because the Chinese film industry needs to open up to the world, and Western companies need to get a share of the Chinese film market, which has become one of the most important markets of the world."

The bilateral interest could find a common field for investment, research, and experimentation to help new filmmakers get access to production, he explained, calling it a "profitable moment for everyone."

The festival itself is seeking more opportunities for cooperation with China. Barbera said they were currently discussing the possibility of working with Chinese film festivals and giving more support to new Chinese filmmakers who are eager to achieve success overseas.

Despite the strong Chinese presence in investment, production, and distribution at this year's festival, no Chinese-language film was selected for the main competition.

"The problem of Chinese cinema, at this particular moment, is that it is focused on the domestic market mainly. It means that most of the films that are produced now in China have excellent quality in terms of the technical and narrative aspects, but they are oriented to get interest from the domestic audience," the director said.

Nonetheless, he believes that as the Chinese film industry continues to mature, filmmakers will soon realize the importance of diversity.

"You cannot concentrate the entire production on commercial films, comedies, or action movies. It is important to have different kinds of films, because diversity is something that could interest different markets in the world," he said.

Barbera expressed confidence in the fast-changing Chinese film industry. "We are in a global market, and the Chinese film industry is open to the world. More and more Chinese films will become active in Western markets and appeal to Western audiences." Endit