A Paris-based Chinese filmmaker believes that holding cultural events, such as Fajr International Film Festival, can be a big step forward to get nations closer to each other.
Li Jingxiang, director of the feature Spring Sparrow which is screened at the 37th Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) in Tehran, in an exclusive interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) talked about the role of cultural figures and works in making people from different cultures across the world closer to each other.
‘We are of different cultures, I am Chinese, but most of the spectators of my movie at the festival were Iranians, we all understand the story and the message of the film in a same way,’ Li said.
‘Cinema, music, and all other forms of arts share a characteristic that is understood by all cultures,’ she said while describing the art as a common non-linguistic language for all people around the world.
Expressing gratitude for her film’s well-reception at the FIFF, the Chinese film director and producer said, ‘Filmmaking is a difficult task. It took me two years to make Spring of Sparrow. The festival invitation and the warm welcome by the audience were an encouragement to me and urging me to make further efforts.’
The Chinese filmmaker has previously made several short movies and documentaries.
When asked about the cinema of Iran, she said that the cinema conjures up the name of Abbas Kiraostami, the prominent Iranian filmmaker and the director of globally renowned works such as Where Is the Friend’s Home?, Taste of Cherry, and Close-Up.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 37th FIFF, she described the event as a professional festival with an acceptable selection of films.
‘The festival is a good place for introducing Iran, its culture and capacities to the world, and therefore an opportunity for filmmakers and specialists to communicate with each other for future cooperation.’
Li also expressed her willingness to cooperate with Iranian partners, if she is given any chance.
The 37th edition of FIFF, comprising of various sections, kicked off on April 18 and will run until April 26 in Charsou Cinema Complex in Tehran.