At the 2025 Golden Panda International Cultural Forum, Swiss actor and director Vincent Perez delivered a stirring message about the enduring power of cinema. "From film stock to VR and AI, our tools evolve, but the heart of art never changes: emotion and communication," he told an audience of artists, entrepreneurs and thought leaders.
Perez, who made his name on screens across Europe, revealed that he had long dreamed of returning to the Chinese mainland—specifically to Chengdu—to reconnect with local storytellers and audiences. He encouraged everyone to become creators of their own lives, urging filmmakers to root their work in local culture while resonating with viewers around the world.
His call to action resonated with the forum’s diverse crowd—from emerging directors exploring immersive tech to digital nomads seeking authentic cultural experiences. By blending tradition with cutting-edge innovation, Perez argued, cinema can forge emotional bridges across borders and generations.
As VR headsets and AI-driven tools reshape the industry, Perez’s reminder serves as a powerful rallying cry: no matter how advanced our tech gets, the essence of film—emotion, empathy and human connection—remains unchanged. For young global creators, that lesson is both timeless and timely.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
