Nearly 60 international filmmakers from over 30 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative enjoyed a one-day tour through Pudong New Area on June 20, during the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Their journey began at Xinchang ancient town, boasting a well-preserved expanse of 150,000 square meters of historic buildings reminiscent of the water town style.

Producer Pablo Iraola, a first-time visitor to China and Shanghai, was struck by the stark contrast between the modern cityscape and the ancient town, wondering aloud how such a feat was accomplished.

In a century-old tea house within the town, the melodious tunes of pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute) and sanxian (a three-stringed Chinese lute) instruments echoed. Two performers from the Shanghai Pingtan Troupe welcomed the filmmakers with a performance of the famous Chinese melody Jasmine.

At a traditional Chinese medicine center, the guests explored the art of making medicine sachets. This process involves selecting materials, choosing fragrances, grinding, bagging, and sealing. The staff then explained the sachet's significance: a gesture of goodwill towards friends and a charm for protection and prosperity.

Following their visit to the ancient town, the filmmakers enjoyed lunch at Shanghai Village near the Shanghai Disney Resort and ventured into a Belt and Road-themed market to relish Southeast Asian cuisine.

The evening's highlight unfolded as the filmmakers immersed themselves in two major art exhibitions at the Museum of Art Pudong: Paths to Modernity: Masterpieces from the Musee d'Orsay, Paris and Chen Yifei: A Retrospective on Art and Legacy. The former, an impressive showcase from the Musee d'Orsay, presented works by renowned artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet. The latter offered a comprehensive retrospective on Chen Yifei, a central figure in Chinese oil painting.

Concluding this journey, the filmmakers shared their impressions. Estonian director Liina Trishkina lauded Pudong's distinctive fusion of modernity and traditional culture. Hungarian director Balint Szimler expressed a newfound appreciation for Shanghai's cinematic appeal and voiced his aspiration to return for future film projects.

Source: Shanghai Observer