Telling the Story of the Belt and Road Initiative from an International Perspective — Expert Seminar on the Film 'Chang'an, Xi'an' Held in Beijing

Recently, an expert seminar on the film 'Chang'an, Xi'an' was held in Beijing. The event was hosted by the China Film Archive and CRI Online of China Media Group , and organized by the China Film News and CRI Online Shaanxi Channel. The film 'Chang'an, Xi'an' was produced by the China Media Group's CRI Online, in collaboration with Xi'an Port Culture and Sports Industry Development Co., Ltd. and Shaanxi Butterfly Effect Entertainment Media Co., Ltd.

Key attendees included Sun Xianghui, Curator of the China Film Archive and Director of the China Film Art Research Center; Zhang Ling, Chief Editor of the Film Channel Program Center of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee; Zhang Hong, National Committee Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, former member of the Party Group of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, former Secretary of the Party Group of the China Film Association; Qin Zhengui, Director of the Film Script Center of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee; Lin Siwei, Deputy Curator of the China Film Archive and Deputy Director of the China Film Art Research Center; Liu Chi, Vice President of CRI Online of the China Media Group. Other experts and scholars from the film and art industry, including Xia Meng, Akber Mijiti, Hou Guangming, Rao Shuguang, Ban Yongji, Tang Ke, Zhang Wei, Zhao Weifang, Zuo Heng, Chen Ruijun, were also present. They joined the discussions with representatives of the film 'Chang'an, Xi'an' such as Zhang Zhong, Hu Die, Shi Jia, and He Fei (KHALIFI HOSSEIN) on the film's artistic characteristics and its creative strengths and weaknesses.

Diplomatic guests from the embassies in China, including Abu-Talip Aimakhanov, Political Affairs Counselor of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in China, and Iranzadeh, Cultural Counselor of the Embassy of Iran in China, also participated in the seminar. The event was chaired by Huangfu Yichuan, a researcher at the China Film Art Research Center and the president and editor-in-chief of the magazine Contemporary Cinema.

It is reported that the film 'Chang'an, Xi'an' took nearly four years to complete since its launch in 2021. It is a collaboration among filmmakers from China, Iran, Kazakhstan, and other countries, who worked together to create this heart-wrenching cross-border love story. The film was produced and written by Iranian director Naghi Nemati, with the post-production completed in Iran, and the entire narrative in Kazakh language. Filming locations included Xi'an, the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, and various sites in Central Asia. It features modern scenes such as the Xi'an International Port Area, Xi'an Port, and the Chang'an China-Europe freight train, alongside historical and cultural elements like the Terracotta Warriors, the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, and Qin Opera, showcasing a rich blend of Chinese and foreign cultures. The film 'Chang'an, Xi'an' adds significant real-world relevance and international appeal through the background setting, script structure, creative team, and cast.

Movies with female themes have garnered global attention. The movie 'Chang'an, Xi'an' tells a touching story about a cross-border marriage between the beautiful Kazakh student Ayana and the handsome Chinese young man Sangare. The film explores the story from the fresh perspective of Kazakh women, incorporating three narrative lines: a travel group centered around the China-Europe freight train, the heroine's introspection and future aspirations, and the legendary love story of the white snake. By entering the big theme from a small perspective, the three narrative lines and three time-space reflections deepen the story, themes, and cultural connotations, enrich the characters' emotional worlds, and draw international attention to the current status of women's survival.

In addition, the humanistic undertones and international perspective presented in the movie 'Chang'an, Xi'an' have been highly praised by experts at the event. The movie 'Chang'an Chang'an' is a positive exploration and bold attempt at multicultural collaboration and joint production across multiple countries, paving the way for future endeavors. This movie has heightened expectations for Chinese cinema's global reach. With its focus on Central Asia and Belt and Road Initiative countries, the movie 'Chang'an, Xi'an' holds great potential.