At this year's Shanghai International Film Festival, Brazilian filmmaker Petra Costa found herself in what felt like a sci-fi set: Shanghai's streets awash in zero-emission new-energy vehicles.
Recalling her mother's 1980s visit—when the Chinese mainland lagged behind Brazil in infrastructure and innovation—Costa was struck by the scale of change. "The progress in such a short time is remarkable," she told CGTN, marveling at how cityscapes and technologies have transformed.
As a jury member at one of Asia's premier cinema events, Costa is not only celebrating film but also the broader spirit of collaboration brewing within the BRICS framework. She believes that the meeting of two dynamic film cultures—Brazil's vibrant storytelling tradition and the Chinese mainland's booming creative industry—could spark a wave of co-productions.
For young global citizens and tech enthusiasts, Shanghai's electric transition offers a glimpse of how urban innovation can reshape daily life. For business minds, it signals the rising power of sustainable technologies on the world stage. And for film lovers, Costa's vision hints at new stories waiting to be told through cross-border partnerships.
From eco-friendly streets to film sets, the Chinese mainland's transformation is a reminder that rapid development—when coupled with green ambition—can open doors for creative exchange and real-world impact.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
