SA and China can 'do much to cooperate in film making'

The interest shown by Chinese audiences in South African films has sparked a debate about the possibility of the Chinese and South African film industries cooperating in the future.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

This is one of the points made by deputy director-general of China Film Administration Luo Yang, during the opening of the China Film Night at Montecasino's Cinema 15 in Fourways.

An enthusiastic audience of local and expatriate Chinese and South Africans filled the theatre to capacity.

Luo related the enthusiasm expressed by Chinese audiences about the South African film, Yesterday, featuring Leleti Khumalo, which was selected as the opening film at the China-Africa Film Week in June this year.

"We also played other famous SA films during the film week, which received widespread acclaim from Chinese audiences."

"China and South Africa share great potential for cooperation in the film industry. China has a massive film market, accounting for 21% of the global box office last year," Luo said.

She praised Johannesburg, the hub of South Africa's film industry, for being the home to "outstanding creative teams".