Amman, Dec. 2 (Petra) – Screenings of the “China Film Festival 2025” opened on Monday evening at the Rainbow Cinema in Amman, organized by the Royal Film Commission Jordan (RFC), the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Cultural Centre in Amman.

China’s Ambassador to Jordan, Guo Wei, expressed in his opening remarks at the launch of the four-day festival his appreciation to all Jordanian institutions for their interest in cultural cooperation between the two friendly countries, praising the Royal Film Commission for its efforts in hosting the event.

He said cinema is an art that transcends language and geography, conveying through image and sound the essence of culture and the strength of the human spirit, noting that cinema represents a vivid embodiment of cultural exchange and a cultural bridge between China and Jordan.

He said Chinese cinema enjoys a long and profound history and forms an important part of Chinese culture, serving as a key bridge connecting China to the world.

He noted that China’s film industry has in recent years had significant global impact, with an increasing number of Chinese productions screened worldwide, becoming a tool for cultural exchange and cooperation.

He highlighted the depth of cooperation between China and Jordan across various fields, especially in technology, culture and film, stressing that the festival will deepen cooperation between the two countries and help deliver tangible cultural results.

He said the festival will screen four recently produced Chinese films considered among the distinguished works of recent years, outlining their themes and explaining that they explore values of goodness, depict courage, reflect family values, and present China’s history, culture and rich diversity.

Royal Film Commission Managing Director Mohannad Bakri said hosting the festival offers an opportunity to strengthen cultural and cinematic exchange between China and Jordan, adding that the four Chinese films being screened present examples of Chinese cinematic creativity.

He noted that Jordan and China share deep cultural ties stretching back thousands of years, pointing to the Silk Road as a clear example of historic connectivity between Dunhuang and Petra.

He expressed hope that this cultural legacy would continue through broader cultural and production cooperation, including future Chinese films shot in Jordan, as well as joint projects benefiting both sides particularly as China today represents the world’s largest film market.

Mao Yu, Deputy Executive Director of the China Film Administration (CFA), expressed his delight at visiting Jordan at the head of a delegation from the Administration.

He said Jordan is rich in history and vitality, and that over 48 years the two friendly countries have developed relations in all fields, especially cultural exchange, steadily since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

He said a delegation of ten representatives from China’s film industry is accompanying him to participate in organizing the festival and to exchange expertise with their counterparts in Jordan’s film sector, opening a new chapter in cinematic cooperation.

He said film is an art that crosses borders, carrying not only shared emotions and dreams but also forming a bridge that strengthens understanding between peoples.

He noted that China’s film industry produces around 1,000 films annually, with more than 15,000 cinemas and more than 90,000 screens, and annual box office revenues reaching $9 billion, making China the world’s second-largest film market.

He said China’s film sector is open to the world, adding that the Chinese Administration encourages cooperation between China and Jordan in co-production, film exchange and screening more Jordanian films in China.

He said the festival is organized under the supervision of China’s National Film Administration, the Chinese Embassy in Jordan, the Royal Film Commission, the China Film Archive, and the Chinese Cultural Centre in Amman, with strong support from various Jordanian institutions.

He noted that the four films selected for screening are among China’s most acclaimed in recent years, diverse in subject and style, and well-received by Chinese audiences. He added that screenwriter Xu Luyang, of the opening film Dead to Rights, was present at the opening ceremony.

The event continued with the screening of the historical war drama Dead to Rights, directed by Shen Ao and produced in 2025. The film has won nine awards at Chinese film festivals, including the Golden Gazelle Award for Best Film at the 2025 Changchun Film Festival, and was nominated for six additional awards.

//Petra// AF
02/12/2025 21:39:44