French Prime Minister Manuel Valls (C) and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) speak with French film director Jean-Jacques Annaud. (Photo : Reuters)
Although French director Jean-Jacques Annaud came to blows with the Chinese government during the release stage of his 1997 film "Seven Years in Tibet," the tide has certainly turned, as the Chinese release of his "Wolf Totem" adaptation is scheduled for later this month.
The progression of the relationship between Annaud and Beijing is indicative of a dynamic between China and France that is presently healthy, as shown at Berlin's premiere film event this year.
The Berlin Film Festival, held over the weekend, staged the European Film Market event, at which a number of major Sino-French co-productions attracted the avid interest of attendees.
In addition to Annaud's $40-million "Wolf Totem," the list of features included Europacorp's 3D-animated "108 Demon Kings," which is based on the Chinese tale; "The Water Margin"; and "Journey to China," a co-production that was borne of a partnership involving Shanghai Qingxi Media and France's Haut et Court.
Representatives from both nations, whose respective industries were bolstered by the Sino-French co-production agreement that was signed in 2010, spoke with the media to provide insight into the progress that has been achieved. French producer Isabelle Glachant, who is Unifrance's Beijing representative, said that the filmmakers who have been selected for projects are travel-friendly and are open to working with Chinese actors.
The French producer further explained: "We are used to making films that don't look French. The need to look Chinese doesn't bother us."
According to Glachant, "the Chinese are showing us they like the way we do it," showing that a culturally sensitive attitude is at the core of the success that France has experienced in the Chinese market. This openness might be why the Chinese government's quota for overseas movies does not apply to French producers.
