Film fest cements Sino-French bonding

The annual French Film Panorama in China, which has kicked off its seventh edition since April 1, is always an event for the two countries' filmmakers to meet friends, old and new alike.

Actor Vincent Perez, one of the 15 French filmmakers and actors who came to China for the event, found an old friend when he attended the event's Beijing press conference on April 13.

Chinese actress Yu Nan, who was in the French film Rage, was one of the guests. Yu won the best actress award at the 2001 Deauville Film Festival and it was Perez who presented her the award.

"We have not met for nine years," Yu told China Daily. "But the moment we met we recognized each other. It felt very magical. I am happy to see more cultural exchanges between China and France."

Perez and his companions traveled to Guangzhou, Wuhan, Shanghai and Chengdu to promote the screening of 13 recent French feature films and 12 shorts, all in French and with Chinese subtitles.

"We have to thank Chinese filmgoers for their love of French films," says Perez, who enjoys a high popularity among Chinese viewers for Fanfan and Fanfan the Tulip. "We won't come here without your support."

Perez also got to know a new friend. Chinese singer Shang Wenjie sat beside him and they talked all the way in fluent French.

Shang majored in French from Shanghai-based Fudan University and has translated a French book. She is also a winner of Super Girls, the Chinese version of American Idol.

"I love so many French films," she told the press conference. "But since someone is sitting here beside me, my favorite one, I would say, is Fanfan the Tulip."

Her speech raised well-meaning laughter among the French filmmakers. When she later sang La Vie En Rose, she led a chorus.

Initiated by Unifrance - the organization promoting French films worldwide, and the French Embassy in China, French Film Panorama in China has been working to make Chinese distributors, filmmakers, press and the audience more familiar with French cinema since 2004.

This year the films will be screened in five cities until April 30. "This year's films feature a variety of genres, but all of them are serious, interesting works," says Ren Bonnel, president of Unifrance.

Among the films screened is Welcome to the Sticks - the highest-grossing film in France ever. It broke the 42-year-old box office record set by Don't Look Now - We're Being Shot at. The Hedgehog, starring senior actress Josiane Balasko, is also on the list.