Egyptian participants have spoken highly of the Chinese films screened at the ongoing China Film Week in Cairo, Egypt as part of efforts to strengthen cultural and cinematic cooperation between the two countries.
Six acclaimed Chinese films are presented to Egyptian audiences during the film week, including "The Lychee Road," "Dead to Rights," "I Am What I Am 2," "The Shadow's Edge," "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru," and "Panda Plan." Spanning genres from historical drama to youth animation, the diverse selection offers a multifaceted glimpse into contemporary Chinese cinema, reflecting the deepening cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The Lychee Road, which premiered this summer, follows a Tang Dynasty (618-907) official tasked with the near-impossible mission of transporting a bushel of lychees-prized but famously quick to spoil-on a grueling 2,500-kilometer journey from Lingnan in southern China to the capital, Chang'an. His desperate ingenuity in overcoming the logistical challenge becomes a sharp satire of bureaucratic absurdity. A hit in China, the film grossed nearly 100 million dollars.
The film has been met with enthusiasm by the Egyptian audience.
"This film is emotionally resonant and compellingly plotted. As you watch it, your mood will ebb and flow right along with the story. I highly recommend you watch it," said a local moviegoer Marina.
"I closely observed viewers' expressions during screenings and I can see that audiences are genuinely moved by the spirit of the characters. This made me realize that although the film tells a story set in China more than a thousand years ago, people's emotions are shared across both time and geography, from China to Egypt," said Da Peng, leading actor and director of "The Lychee Road".
The film week has not only captivated Egyptian audiences but also drawn praise from local cultural and film industry leaders, who see it as a significant step in strengthening mutual understanding through the power of cinema.
Ahmed Saleh, head of the Egyptian Film Center said, "In recent decades, the development of Chinese cinema has been remarkable, evolving from a domestic industry to a global force with far-reaching influence. The China Film Week is not just a cinematic event. Rather, it is an extension of the deep-rooted cultural ties between Egypt and China, and a genuine opportunity to explore a society rich in history, arts, and humanistic vision."
Running from Nov. 29 to Dec. 13, the event aims to build stronger bridges between the Egyptian and Chinese film industries by encouraging joint productions, industry collaboration, and talent exchange programs.
Chinese films win over Egyptian audiences at film week
