Bridging Eastern and Western Cultures through Film

On 12th February 2024, the 2024 Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival, sponsored by the Queen’s Annual Fund, held its information session in the Auditorium of the McClay Library at Queen’s University Belfast. The theme of this information session was ‘Bridging Eastern and Western Cultures through Film,’ and it also formed part of the Chinese New Year Forum at Queen’s University Belfast 2024.

The information session was hosted by Dr. Liang Wang from the Language Centre at Queen’s University Belfast, with Dr. Derek Johnston, a representative from the AEL School of Queen’s, in attendance. Members of the Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival Organizing Committee delivered speeches on topics related to this year’s festival.

Tianpeng Yao, a member of the EAFF Organizing Committee and a PhD Candidate in Film Studies at Queen’s University Belfast, first introduced the festival’s purpose, main competition units, and special sections. He then detailed the submission status for this year’s festival. To date, the festival has received 517 film submissions from countries and regions including China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, South Korea, India, Malaysia, Ireland, Hong Kong (China), and Macao (China). After a preliminary review, 411 films that meet the festival’s submission criteria have been selected.

Tianpeng also provided an overview of the specific timeline for this year’s film festival. The film review period is scheduled from 12th February to 31st March 2024. It is anticipated that on 1st March, the organizing committee will announce the official selection of films for this year’s festival. The official screening dates for the festival are from 1st May to 2nd May, with screenings taking place at the Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast. Additionally, during this period, there will be a series of cultural forums related to the EAFF theme.

Northern Irish independent filmmaker Dylan Craig, drawing from his own experiences in film production in the Northern Ireland region of the United Kingdom, provided an in-depth exploration of local social life and film culture in Northern Ireland, summarizing the abundant film production resources and industry opportunities in the region.

Following that, Tianpeng delved into the special segment of this year’s film festival, titled “Cultural Bridge” Using the film Shaolin Temple starring Jet Li as an example, he illustrated how audiovisual media effectively disseminate Chinese culture, enhances cultural diversity, and spark profound interest among Western audiences in Shaolin and Kung Fu culture. Tianpeng emphasized that through the universally embraced medium of film, not only can China’s rich cultural heritage be showcased, but it can also facilitate cultural exchange and understanding between East and West, igniting global audiences’ curiosity and enthusiasm for traditional Chinese martial arts and philosophy. Additionally, he mentioned that through films like Shaolin Temple, international audiences can gain deeper insights into Chinese history and culture, thereby fostering cultural exchange and mutual respect.

Wejdan Alawad, a member of the EAFF Organizing Committee, lecturer at IMSIU University in Saudi Arabia, and a PhD student in Translation Studies at Queen’s University Belfast, presented from the perspective of Japanese anime films on how Japanese culture is interconnected in the Middle East. She pointed out that the unique visual style and rich storytelling of anime deeply attract artists and animators from the Middle East, inspiring them to create works that blend Japanese and Middle Eastern artistic influences. Through collaborations with Japanese animators, studios, and production companies, Middle Eastern creators have successfully fused elements of both cultures, launching anime series with Middle Eastern characteristics, thus fostering cultural understanding and appreciation. Additionally, the depth and breadth of anime in narrative and exploration of societal issues provide new inspiration and approaches for storytellers and creators in the Middle East, enabling them to explore complex emotions and social issues in innovative ways.

EAFF organizing committee member, Liyang Liu, who achieved a Master’s degree from Media and Broadcast Production at Queen’s University Belfast, further discussed how films promote cultural diversity. Using film examples such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Belfast, she elucidated on the significant responsibility films undertake in bridging different cultures. Films not only serve as a form of entertainment but also act as bridges for conveying and understanding diverse cultural values, lifestyles, and perspectives. With its unique narrative style and visual language, film transcends borders and cultures, offering audiences profound insights into different societal and cultural backgrounds. By presenting diverse stories and characters, films encourage open-mindedness and foster understanding and respect for various cultural traditions and viewpoints.

The EAFF information session not only showcased the power of cinematic art but also highlighted the active role of Queen’s University Belfast in promoting international cultural exchange. As this year’s film festival enters its intense judging phase, we look forward to the EAFF becoming a significant platform for fostering multicultural understanding and integration. Simultaneously, we anticipate exploring the infinite possibilities of cinematic art with global audiences, continuing to use film as a bridge to connect every corner of the world, and collectively building a more inclusive, understanding, and harmonious world.