On April 24, the Sino-French co-production documentary film "Kangxi and Louis XIV" held an expert observation seminar in Beijing. The seminar was hosted by China Xia Yan Film Society and Guangzhou Radio and Television Station, and undertaken by Bai'an Film (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
"Kangxi and Louis XIV" experts observed the seminar site photo
Kangxi and Louis XIV was created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France in 2024. This "Chinese Story, International Expression" film tells the story of King Louis XIV of France who sent six "mathematicians of the king" to China more than 300 years ago, and then the emperor of the Qing Dynasty at that time, Kangxi, actively interacted with Louis XIV with an open mind, which opened a far-reaching Sino-French scientific, commercial, and ideological and cultural exchanges, including the scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries that gave birth to China's first scientifically significant "Imperial Opinion Panorama" Covering an area of 11 million square kilometers, not only marked the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, but also Tibet, Xinjiang, and Taiwan are impressively encompassing China's territory; commercial and trade exchanges between the two countries have brought tremendous benefits to both sides, especially since Chinese goods have entered France, they have repeatedly set off a "China fever" and a "China tide"; ideological and cultural exchanges between the two countries have brought a large number of ancient Chinese classics, including the Analects, to France. In particular, it had a profound impact on the Enlightenment on the eve of the French Revolution, which not only realized the spread of Western learning to the East, but also achieved the spread of Eastern learning to the West.
"Kangxi and Louis XIV" profoundly reflects General Secretary Xi Jinping's important concept of "civilization is colorful because of exchanges, and civilizations are enriched by mutual learning", and concretely shows the fruitful achievements of exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and French civilizations. The film is real, delicate, vivid, interesting, knowledgeable, and informative, and it is a unique and refreshing documentary film.
Kong Quan, Executive Deputy Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Leading Group of the CPC Central Committee, former Chinese Ambassador to France, and senior diplomat, Zhao Jinjun, Vice Chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, former Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, former Chinese Ambassador to France, and senior diplomat, Hu Zhanfan, Honorary Chairman of the China Television Association, former Director of CCTV, and former Vice Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Zhang Pimin, Chairman of the China Film Foundation and former Deputy Director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, Consultant of the China Film Association, Tong Gang, vice president of the China Federation of Radio and Television Social Organizations and former deputy director of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, Zhong Chengxiang, a famous literary critic and librarian of the Central Museum of Culture and History, former vice chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and former chairman of the China Literature and Art Critics Association, and Liu Jianzhong, a famous documentary expert and former director of the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, participated in the discussion and spoke highly of "Kangxi and Louis XIV".
【Summary of Expert Speeches】
Zhao Jinjun: The good relations between China and France are not accidental, and they have historical roots
(Vice Chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, Former Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Former Chinese Ambassador to France, Senior Diplomat)
The main part of my diplomatic career was in France, from secretary to counsellor, then from counsellor to minister, and finally to ambassador. I have devoted my life to the work related to Sino-French relations, and I think I know Sino-French relations very well, but after watching this film, I realized that there is such a history between the two countries, between Kangxi and Louis XIV, and I don't know so much. I think it's very precious and valuable. I would like to express my gratitude to the proposers, creators, and practitioners of this film, which is very well made! "Kangxi and Louis XIV" can make people understand that the reason why China and France were able to have such a good relationship later is not accidental, it has historical and cultural origins, and it is also closely related to the characteristics of the two peoples. I hope that the film will be released in cinemas soon, and that I will see more in-depth reviews that reinterpret the relationship between China and France, which has such a deep and long-standing relationship between the two peoples.
Hu Zhanfan: The scarcity of subject matter increases the richness of Chinese documentaries
(Honorary Chairman of China Television Association, former director of CCTV, former vice chairman of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles)
It's a movie like no other. There are really not many films that choose such a theme and make such a beautiful film in my impression. First of all, this is a film with a scarcity theme, and it is very interesting to watch. In addition, it also has a very strong historical material, and has high existence value and dissemination value. The birth of this film has increased the richness of Chinese documentaries. There are not many documentaries that reflect Sino-foreign relations, and even fewer reflect this period of history, because this history itself is relatively short - before it, Shunzhi was closed, and later came to Qianlong, and began to close the country again. The documentary reflects the multifaceted and complex nature of Chinese history and even world history. The good-looking nature of this film also lies in the fact that it is very smooth, the story is very strong, and the audience does not look boring. It is not simply about historical materials, but about stories, the language and pictures are very informative, and the production is also very exquisite, and it is a very skillful documentary production technique.
Zhang Pimin: This film will definitely go down in the history of Chinese documentary films
(Chairman of China Film Foundation, former Deputy Director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television)
I have a lot of respect for the creators of this film. This is a documentary with a very high degree of overall completion, and I can't fault it. I believe that this film will definitely be written into the history of Chinese documentaries. I also hope that the distribution of this film will be taken seriously, this film is from Guangzhou, and in Guangdong alone, it is itself a big box office for Chinese films, not to mention other major cities in the country. How much influence and value can such a good film create in China, I think we need everyone to work together.
Tong Gang: It has strong practical significance, and the merit is in the present and the benefit is in the future
(Consultant of China Film Association, Vice President of China Federation of Radio and Television Social Organizations, Former Deputy Director of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television)
This is a work that is very ideological, artistic, and ornamental. The film is a great success, and it takes a fresh look at a little-known piece of history from three hundred years ago. In the context of building a community with a shared future for mankind, this film has strong practical significance.
How to win a win-win situation, the monarchs of China and France three hundred years ago were actually already thinking. The West learns from the East, and the East learns from the West, and these contents are well infiltrated in the movie. There are some twists and turns in the world, but mankind will eventually move towards great harmony, and these twists and turns need to be resolved by our contemporaries with wisdom. This film opens our minds to this question. The significance of this film is that the merit is in the present and the benefit is in the future.
Zhong Chengxiang: We just want to sing the praises of such films
(Famous literary critic, librarian of the Central Museum of Culture and History, former vice chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, former chairman of the China Literature and Art Critics Association)
"Kangxi and Louis XIV" takes history as a mirror, connects such a precious history with contemporary culture, harmonizes with modern society, and completely opens up the channel between history and reality.
The breakthrough of "Kangxi and Louis XIV" lies in the diplomacy of the head of state, writing that the Eastern civilization and the Western civilization converged 300 years ago, and began an important chapter in the history of human civilization exchanges. In fact, this sentence is also a universal truth in dealing with the contradictions between countries and nations in today's world, and it may also become a cultural remedy for resolving local disputes in the world today.
The film also gives us philosophical inspiration. In the 21 st century, which kind of philosophy is more applicable? I believe that we should take Chinese civilization as the mainstay and absorb useful things from Western civilization that suit China's national conditions with a broad mind. In short, this film can help us better understand Xi Jinping's cultural thought, and it is a good example of why civilizations can learn from each other through exchanges, and because of mutual learning, they can prosper and develop together.
Liu Jianzhong: The standing position is high and down-to-earth
(Famous documentary expert, former director of the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television)
After watching this film, I was amazed, and I thought it was a work that could win awards. To sum up, it has four characteristics. First, the theme is prominent, and the angle of theme selection is special. It focuses on the two heads of state, and the standing position is particularly high, but the content inside is very substantial, and it is down-to-earth and not empty. The film begins with a letter from Louis XIV to Emperor Kangxi in 1688, followed by Louis XIV's death in 1715, Kangxi's death in 1722, and the death of Bai Jin in 1730, which is a period of several decades, very concentrated and not scattered. Second, the materials are sufficient and the historical materials are detailed. This film has a strong historical value and documentary value, which is the most important and essential thing in the documentary. Third, the story is smoothly narrated. These historical materials are presented in the form of storytelling, time, place, people, events, news elements, there are beginnings and endings, and there are interrelationships, which seem very smooth and can catch you to watch. Fourth, from the perspective of documentary, the literary expression and film and television performance of this film are very distinctive. It has a very accurate grasp of the subject of Sino-French historical exchanges, and the Chinese are very comfortable watching it, and the French will also be very comfortable watching it, which is very rare. The author of the commentary, as well as the historical consultant, contributed a lot and was very skillful.
Yan Xiaoming: It is both documentary, intellectual and artistic
(Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of China Film Foundation)
After watching the film, I was shocked, I didn't expect it to be such a documentary, intellectual, and artistic masterpiece, and I think it will leave a mark on China's diplomatic history, cultural history, and film history. Kangxi and Louis XIV has several features. One is the length of history. In less than two hours, it gave a very methodical explanation of Chinese culture and European culture in the historical period of 300 years or more. The second is breadth. How did the two most important countries in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres at that time, China and France, communicate across the ocean? The film connects them through a ship. The third is height, in the past, our films showed a lot of people-to-people diplomacy in history, such as Marco Polo, Monk Jianzhen, etc., but this one was upgraded to the diplomacy between the kings of the two countries at that time. Fourth, depth. In the past, we often said that Lin Zexu was the "first person to open his eyes to the world" in modern China, but the previous Kangxi was actually "looking at the world". Chinese culture has had a great impact on Europe and the world. In the future, how can we better carry forward Chinese culture, this film has brought us all-round thinking.
Jiang Ping: The combination of strong and powerful forces is eye-catching
(Senior Film Producer, Famous Director, President of China Xia Yan Film Society)
The first film co-produced by New China and foreign countries was the Sino-French co-production "Kite", which was made by Beijing Film Studio, the predecessor of China Film. 60 years later, we made such a film "Kangxi and Louis XIV", which is also a Sino-French co-production, and it is precisely to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, which is eye-catching and refreshing. From the interaction between the two kings, this film echoes the theme of building a community with a shared future for mankind today. In fact, in the integration of Western civilization, we also have a lot of parts that learn from the West, and what is shown in the film can be said to be the earliest, and it is detailed, precious, concrete, and three-dimensional. It has documentary value, historical value, and artistic value, and is a rare documentary with both ideological and artistic properties.
In terms of production, thanks to Guangzhou Radio and Television Station, it made such an excellent work. The main creative team of this film is a strong team, especially the director La Peikang, who has used his years of experience in France to the film, and the producer Dong Peiwen, who has made great contributions to the early cooperation between mainland and Hong Kong films more than 20 years ago, and has been making a lot of good films over the years. It is hoped that "Kangxi and Louis XIV" will be able to achieve a double harvest of social and economic benefits in the future.
Hou Guangming: The mirror movement is natural, infectious, and a rare boutique
(Former Secretary of the Party Committee, Doctoral Supervisor and Professor of Beijing Film Academy)
From the perspective of historical cognition, this film tells how the two emperors tolerated each other and finally achieved a win-win situation, which also has the efforts of a group of scientists such as Bai Jin in China. This is a historical truth, and it can also be used as a reference for today. From the perspective of cultural communication and mutual learning between civilizations, this film presents the content and achievements of Sino-French exchanges from philosophy, science, art and other fields. In the current era of globalization, mutual learning between cultures is very important, not only to promote understanding between the two peoples, but also to contribute to cultural diversity and the progress of human civilization. From a documentary point of view, the film uses a variety of means such as images, sound effects, documents and even expert commentary to present the facts of 300 years ago, and it is very well presented - the camera movement is natural, vivid and vivid, and infectious. From the perspective of the presentation of Chinese and French cultural characteristics, it is a rare masterpiece in Sino-French co-productions.
Guo Benmin: It brings a strong impact and viewability
(Former editor-in-chief of Central News Documentary Film Studio)
China has a civilization of thousands of years and a long history of international exchanges. Of course, there were twists and turns in the subsequent exchanges, such as Qianlong's complete blockade and isolation. But before that, there was a period of mutual appreciation, mutual learning, and mutual integration between civilizations. It's a clever topic, almost fill-in-the-blank. It's rare that it's not a feature film – it's boring if it's an interpretation, and it lacks the authenticity and impact of a documentary film. This work comprehensively applies various perspectives and various techniques, including restoring the place where the story took place, and the impact and watchability brought by the images in the film are very strong.
Li Fang: The cultural value is high, and it is more important for political significance
(Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily Overseas Edition)
First of all, it is a historical documentary, but at the same time it also has a very important political significance. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as the Sino-French Year of Culture and Tourism. This year is also the first anniversary of General Secretary Xi Jinping's Global Civilization Initiative, so the significance of this film is needless to say. Secondly, the film has a high cultural value. I know this story, and I have seen the letters written by Louis XIV to the Kangxi Emperor in the exhibition in the Forbidden City. China and France are separated by thousands of rivers and mountains, but they have been experiencing continuous attempts to understand each other, and this film represents the important dialogue of exchanges and mutual learning in the history of world civilization three hundred years ago, which is very meaningful.
Huangfu Yichuan: A very good exploration and practice of Chinese films "going global".
(Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, President and Editor-in-Chief of Contemporary Film, Researcher of China Film Art Research Center)
I was so excited after watching the movie, I didn't expect it to be so good. First of all, it is a very high-quality and very good-looking documentary, which is informative, interesting and storytelling, and has historical thinking and current significance. The film is very informative, very solid in structure, very smooth in narration and commentary, and very relatable in its summary, judgment and outlook on this period of history. Secondly, this is a film with a strong contemporary, a rediscovery and reflection on history. It uses a good way of telling the story to present the inevitability of human development brought about by the integration of two countries, which can bring a lot of food for thought and inspiration to young people. Moreover, this film is a very good exploration and practice of Chinese films "going global". For "going out", co-production is a particularly good form, we used to focus more on feature films, but in fact, we still have a lot of documentaries worth going overseas.
Zhang Yan: A paper film on the mutual learning of Chinese and French historical civilizations
(Professor, School of Arts and Media, Beijing Normal University)
This is a documentary commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, which has important historical value and significance of leading and presenting the times, and is in line with the spirit of the times, a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Civilization Initiative and other national themes. It has the following distinctive characteristics: the exploration of the creative form of documentary is novel, with essay films as the main feature, there are theories, historical theories, and evaluations, and it is more disseminated, appealing and influential. With lofty intentions, taking history as a mirror, we strive to restore history on the screen and build a picture of the beginning and starting point of Sino-French economic, trade and cultural exchanges. With people as the core, focusing on the two kings, and taking the French scientist Bai Jin, who was reused by Kangxi, as the central figure, the narration and emotional writing are narrated and written from Bai Jin's point of view, which has great internal tension and achieves resonance, empathy and communication and acceptance effects. On the basis of insisting on cultural self-confidence and focusing on interaction, it shows that the two monarch heroes see the same thing and go in both directions, so as to tell the Chinese story to the world, and also reflect the mutual respect, promotion and reference of global civilizations. In short, the film has effectively promoted the international telling and global promotion of Chinese stories.
Wang Yiyan: It is difficult to produce, which reflects the wisdom of the team
(National first-class director, director of the cultural program department of the Central News Documentary Film Studio)
As a veteran director who still insists on working on the front line, I am very excited after watching this film today. The quality of the work is very good, and I agree that it is a work that deserves to win an award. "Kangxi and Louis XIV" is a Sino-French co-production - I have also made a film in France, I know that the difficulty of production is far greater than the difficulty of creation, the "fieldwork" in the early stage of the film is very sufficient, and in the post-production is also commendable, there are many actions that were originally very money-burning, in the case of limited funds, to achieve the current effect, I think it is the wisdom of the post-production team. And this film is very ideological. I have always emphasized that if a documentary stays at the excavation of historical facts and the accumulation of historical materials, it is not called a documentary, but a documentary must be an academic and ideological embodiment.
Fan Hui: It is suitable for young people to watch, and I hope that the film will enter the campus
(National second-class screenwriter of China Film Group Corporation)
Documentaries are a popular genre for young people. Because compared with fictional feature films, documentaries are more objective and credible. For young people with a certain educational background, they are more willing to choose documentaries as the object of their viewing. "Kangxi and Louis XIV" is very meaningful for popularizing the history of Sino-French cultural exchanges among young people. The narrative angle of this film, especially the reproduction of history, can intuitively allow young people to substitute for the scene of history, and the subject matter involves the integration of multiple disciplines, which I think is worth promoting on campus. I hope that this film can enter more colleges and universities and primary and secondary schools across the country, so that more students can see it.
【Behind the scenes of the main creator】
Chen Jiacheng: Learning from History and Observing the Present (Producer of "Kangxi and Louis XIV")
Civilizations are colorful because of exchanges and enriched by mutual learning. Three hundred years ago, representatives of China, France, the East and the West, started a dialogue and made indelible contributions to the development of human philosophy, science, art and culture. Kangxi and Louis XIV have never met, but they have been friends for decades, sending envoys to each other, giving gifts to each other, learning from each other, and the Confucian moral code of "do not do unto others as you would have them do unto you" has been consistent in the exchanges between people, countries and countries, and even civilizations and civilizations.
2024 is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the Year of Cultural Tourism between China and France, and it also coincides with the Olympic Games. "Kangxi and Louis XIV" is a video document jointly completed by China and France, which was published at this time, with film, an important carrier of international cultural exchanges, to the "Sino-French story" containing "the common values of all mankind", through "international expression and international communication", to better communicate, blend and communicate with people, countries and civilizations, and contribute our strength.
The film's director, Producer La, proposed that we make this film, and gave guidance throughout the filming process, which presents many precious cultural relics and documents, and experts and scholars from Peking University, Beijing University of Foreign Chinese, Sun Yat-sen University and other universities tell the stories behind the cultural relics...... The main creator of the film systematizes the complex historical materials to realize the expression of "seeing both trees and forests" in the image. Thank you to everyone for their love and hard work, and together they have made this work possible.
La Peikang: Each is beautiful and promotes the common values of mankind
(Director of "Kangxi and Louis XIV")
"Kangxi and Louis XIV" was proposed by me to Cui Songdong, then director of Guangzhou Radio and Television, at the Xiamen Golden Rooster Film Festival in December 2021. I make this suggestion based on the following four considerations:
First, Guangdong Province, especially Guangzhou City, is at the forefront of China's reform and opening up, has a high degree of opening up to the outside world, is in the forefront of China in all aspects of work, is rich in film resources, and is currently the largest box office on the mainland. In particular, it is necessary to make good use of Guangzhou Radio and Television Station's own resources and give full play to its own advantages to make some films that express Chinese cultural self-confidence, openness and inclusiveness, and show that Chinese civilization and the world's outstanding civilizations have exchanges, mutual learning, mutual benefit and win-win results, and at the same time can be recognized by the international mainstream market through international expression.
Second, when I made this suggestion, I learned from the old works filmed by the Guangzhou Radio and Television Station in the past that on March 6, 1698, there was a 500-ton French merchant ship called the "Amphitlet", which was loaded with French goods and nine French scientists to China, and its terminal was Guangzhou, and not anywhere else. The "Amphitlit" thus opened a far-reaching Sino-French exchange and cooperation, and this ship became the first voyage of Sino-French exchanges and friendship. At that time, I proposed that we could use this boat as a clue to dig out the small stories, vignettes, major events and big figures of exchanges and exchanges between China and France at all levels, fields and periods in an all-round, in-depth and multi-angle manner, and make a documentary about these real and little-known contents, especially the interesting anecdotes of equal exchanges and mutual learning between China and France, into a documentary with profound thoughts, rich connotations, real, delicate, vivid and interesting, which not only highlights the important position of Guangzhou in the friendly exchanges between China and France. Showing the glorious history and prosperity of Guangzhou, it can also bring a piece of intuitive and three-dimensional historical knowledge to the audience, leave a string of precious memories written in film language for history, and promote it with these novel and unique contents, which may bring surprises to Chinese and foreign audiences, and become a documentary film that can take into account both Chinese and foreign markets.
Third, 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Over the past 60 years, the Sino-French relations personally created by Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and General de Gaulle have been developing well, quite smoothly and productively in all fields and at all levels. President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to China-France relations, calling them "a special pair of relations among the world's major powers." At present, when Sino-US relations are in difficulty, good Sino-French relations are particularly important. Therefore, it is necessary to take the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France to make a documentary that reflects the history and culture of the two countries and the friendly exchanges between the two countries to celebrate and commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Later, after many arguments, we decided to frame the main content of the film from the middle of the 17th century to the middle of the 18th century, specifically a series of little-known small stories that occurred in the three fields of science and technology, commerce and trade, and ideology and culture between China and France during the period of Kangxi and Louis XIV, and presented these small stories in the language of documentary and all the artistic and technical means we can master.
Fourth, this film must be made into a Sino-French co-production, so that it can be meaningful and convincing, and can complement the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, so as to ensure that the film enters the mainstream market in France, and with the help of French channels, the film can be sold to more countries. I have been engaged in the management and practice of Sino-foreign co-productions for many years, and I know that there are not many co-productions with equal Chinese and foreign elements, balanced investment in Chinese and foreign arts, technology and capital, and both Chinese and foreign markets. I suggest that we not only make a co-production, but also make a co-production that respects the diversity of world civilizations and promotes the common values of all mankind. Now it seems that we have basically achieved that goal. The film's French collaborators are very satisfied with the final cut version and are confident in the film's upcoming overseas distribution and sales efforts.
That's my four-point consideration. Director Cui quickly accepted my suggestion, and immediately after returning to Guangzhou, a meeting was held to make a collective decision to make this film. After a series of prescribed procedures such as bidding and bidding, in February 2022, the film was officially launched, and it has taken two years and two months so far. The film has received strong support and enthusiastic help from relevant units and individuals in China and France at every stage of the preparation, planning, teaming, writing, preparation, viewing, shooting, including filming in France, negotiation with the French side, and post-production. Here, I would like to first of all thank Cui Songdong, the former director of Guangzhou Radio and Television, Chen Jiacheng, the current director, all members of the leading group, as well as Li Lin, Xu Bin and many other comrades in the station, without whose support this film would not have been possible; In addition, we must also thank the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Department of European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Palace Museum, the National Library of China, Peking University, Beijing University of Foreign Chinese, and the Film Script Planning and Planning Center of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee for their greatest support for this film.
At present, "Kangxi and Louis XIV" has been selected for the 2024 Paris "Chinese Film Week" screening program of the National Film Bureau, and will be screened in a prestigious cinema in Paris on the evening of May 12 this year. It is hoped that during the 14th years of Kangxi and Louis, this rare exchange and friendship between China and France will never be forgotten, and that this film can play a positive and constructive role in strengthening Sino-French cultural exchanges, enhancing the friendship between the Chinese and French people, and enhancing the level of Sino-French film exchanges and cooperation.
Zhang Li: Avoid fragmentation and have a sense of history
(Later choreographer of "Kangxi and Louis XIV")
I think there are four highlights in this film. The first is structure. Kangxi and Louis XIV involves a long span of history and a huge amount of information, which can easily become fragmented if it is not handled well. To this end, we have carried out a reasonable combing, drawing on the practice of traditional chapter back novels, and divided the film into three chapters, namely science and technology, business and trade, and ideology and culture, which are very clear. Secondly, documentaries are often inseparable from scene reproduction, but if you don't grasp it well, things that are too dramatic will make people feel dramatic, so we used special old-fashioned techniques in the scene reproduction part of the film to make the picture more historical and more engaging. Music. The theme of this film is grand, so it can't be "small" musically. The Chinese and French sections of music are played by orchestras, which are magnificent and combine the characteristics of their respective local music. This film systematically shows a lot of little-known historical materials. For example, the "Panorama of the Imperial Palace" in the Kangxi period was the first map of China with modern scientific significance, and it was completed with the help of French scientists; for example, Kangxi had the French scientist Bai Jin by his side, and Louis XIV actually had a Chinese translator Huang Jialiu by his side. There are many similar precious historical materials in the film, and I believe the audience will be interested.
Dong Peiwen: An in-depth dialogue between Chinese and French cultures
(Producer, Kangxi and Louis XIV)
"Kangxi and Louis XIV" was completed by the cooperation of the Chinese and French teams, which is not only an artistic exchange, but also an in-depth dialogue between Chinese and French culture. Here, I would like to give special thanks to the superintendent of the company. He is a very successful film entrepreneur himself, and he has lived and worked in France for many years, and this time it is all up to him to communicate directly with the French team, because of the language and time difference, we have been discussing with the French side for more than a month, from 5 or 6 o'clock in the evening until 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning, and he also gives guidance throughout the whole process. Bao Yonghong, the Chinese choreographer and director of this film, read a lot in the early stage of the project, and sorted out the story line of the film from the vast historical materials. And French director Gilles Thomson, who led the French team to work with us and shared a lot of valuable French resources, so that we finally created a film with an international perspective, which can be enjoyed and recognized by both Chinese and European audiences. I would like to thank Zhang Li, the director of the later stage. He used a lot of ingenious film methods to integrate and package, which greatly improved the storytelling of the film, and the final effect of the film was completed in one go, without being dull and procrastinating.
There are many precious cultural relics displayed in the film, especially Kangxi's authentic work "Holy Ancestor Counting Grass", which is the first time that it has been publicly authorized to be displayed. We have received strong support from a number of important institutions in China and France, including the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Palace Museum, the National Library of China, the First Historical Archives of China, the Archives of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal French Furniture Workshop, the National Library of France, the Guangdong Customs Museum and the Thirteen Lines Museum in Guangzhou. Finally, we would like to thank all departments of the producer for their great support to us. As a producer, I feel a great responsibility. I have always adhered to the principle of quality first and creating high-quality films, and this time is no exception, striving to bring the audience a masterpiece of documentary films.
Source: China Film News
Editor: Zhang Fan