Earlier this year at the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) in Sanya on Hainan Island in the Chinese mainland, German filmmaker Julian Radlmaier and Russian producer Kirill Krasovski sat down with CGTN's Zhang Meng to discuss their Golden Coconut Awards–nominated feature Phantoms of July.
On their first trip to the Chinese mainland, both filmmakers stressed that cinema transcends cultural boundaries. Radlmaier noted that "storytelling is a universal language." Krasovski added that the festival's lineup, featuring creators from around the globe, reflects a growing hunger for diverse voices in film.
They praised the openness of audiences in the Chinese mainland and the festival's platform for sparking cross-border collaborations. Radlmaier said the energy was contagious, hinting at plans for co-productions that blend European and Asian perspectives.
As global filmmakers seek common ground through shared narratives, HIIFF 2025 has emerged as a vibrant meeting point for artistic exchange. With a spotlight on innovative storytelling and international partnerships, the festival underscores cinema's power to unite diverse communities.
Reference(s):
HIIFF 2025: German and Russian filmmakers on cinema's universality
cgtn.com
