Donnie Yen during an interview on the sidelines of China's ongoing annual "two sessions," on March 5, 2024
The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon, a new crime film from the Taiwan island directed by Hong Kong director Wong Ching-po, has impressed audiences in the Chinese mainland with its black humor and dark thrills, gaining a surprising box-office success. Previous releases from the Chinese mainland such as YOLO, Pegasus 2 and Johnny Keep Walking! have been greatly received in Taiwan. Political advisors shared their views on further deepening bonds, especially among the young people in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, through films and TV series.
Hong Kong action movie star Donnie Yen, who is also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, said that Chinese filmmakers are now increasingly respected in Hollywood, getting better roles and scripts, which shows the strength of China's market and the dignity of its people.
On the sidelines of China's ongoing annual "two sessions," Yen shared with media his experiences as a Chinese film industry professional in Hollywood.
He attributed the increasing respect earned by Chinese film professionals in Hollywood to their continuous hard work and efforts over the years, and the strength of China and the Chinese market, as well as the dignity of the Chinese people.
He stressed that only films that can move audiences and resonate with them can have a far and wide reach. This way, the "Chinese core" of films can be seen by more people.
In the past, Chinese kung fu films were more familiar to and well received by audiences overseas. As these types of films are relatively straightforward and overseas audiences coming from different cultural backgrounds can understand them easily without needing to delve deeply. Yet with the types of Chinese films growing increasingly diversified, things are changing. "Now the audience is smarter and has higher standards for films, which means films have to resonate with them."
In order to promote exchanges between young people in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, Yen said he hopes to organize more youth-oriented film festivals to boost interaction among young people.
"In the past, I brought some young Hong Kong filmmakers to the Chinese mainland to learn, and likewise introduced some Chinese mainland filmmakers to Hong Kong for exchanges, so everyone could learn from each other."
Yen said that he started collaborating with Chinese mainland filmmakers in the 1980s.
"Now we focus more on creation and innovation. We rarely say who's from Hong Kong or who's from the Chinese mainland. We are all Chinese filmmakers."
Similar to films, TV dramas can also be a bridge between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong for deepening understanding and exchanges. Blossoms Shanghai, a TV drama directed by the Shanghai-born Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, made its debut at the end of 2023. Adapted from a Chinese novel penned by Mao Dun Literature Prize winner Jin Yucheng, it became an instant hit.
Li Jingze, a political advisor and vice president of the China Writers Association, pointed to Blossoms Shanghai as an example to shed light on the relationship between literature and film and TV series creation. He noted that in recent years, like Blossoms Shanghai, many impressive film and television works have been adapted from literary works. He said that literature provides a crucial "artistic soil" for film and TV series creation.
Li shared Yen's view regarding the prerequisite for good film and TV work being its capacity to resonate with audiences.
"People of different ages resonated with Blossoms Shanghai for their own reasons. Some were reminded of their youth, some liked the female characters in the drama, and some were fond of the cinematography."
Film and TV series can also strengthen ties on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, as the charm of Chinese culture can be shared through watching these literary and artistic works.
Chinese mainland TV drama Empresses in the Palace has proven extremely popular in Taiwan, especially during the Spring Festival period. Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said she hopes watching films and dramas can strengthen ties.
Feng Yuanzheng, president of the Beijing People's Art Theater and member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, stated that this precisely demonstrates the cultural roots shared between the two sides.
"Our language and writing system come from the same roots, with absolutely no barriers in between. When we go to Taiwan to perform plays, we receive warm welcomes as well. Especially for classic plays like Teahouse and The Top Restaurant, the older generation are moved to tears," said Feng.
"The younger generation can see that our roots are such, and such is the culture of China," he added.
