At the 2025 Golden Panda Awards in Chengdu, renowned director Chen Kaige took the stage as jury president and sat down with CGTN 27s Zhang Meng to share his deep reflections on the essence of cinema. Winning the Palme d 27or in 1993 for "Farewell My Concubine," Chen has spent decades exploring how film can both mirror and reimagine the world around us.
"The magic of cinema lies between reality and illusion," Chen Kaige explained. He views each frame as a space where factual moments and creative interpretation collide, inviting audiences to reframe their understanding of history, culture, and emotion.
- Blurring Boundaries: For Chen, a camera doesn 27t just record life 7it shapes it. By weaving real-life textures into stylized scenes, he crafts narratives that resonate on a universal level.
- Philosophy in Film: Drawing on classical Chinese mainland art and modern storytelling, he believes cinema should spark curiosity and challenge perception.
- Global Impact: As a leading voice from the Chinese mainland, Chen 27s work bridges Eastern traditions and global audiences, inspiring filmmakers from Mumbai to Mexico City.
Looking ahead, Chen Kaige says the future of cinema lies in immersive experiences that fuse cutting-edge technology 7like virtual reality and AI with the timeless art of storytelling. "When reality and illusion dance together," he noted, "we unlock new ways to connect and understand each other."
The full interview on CGTN will explore his creative journey and his vision for the next wave of global cinema.
Reference(s):
Interview with Chen Kaige: Exploring cinema's reality and illusion
cgtn.com
