Film lovers along Hollywood Boulevard paid tribute to Chinese classic kung fu movies, affirming that cinema knows no borders in its ability to connect audiences worldwide.
The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) kicked off in Shanghai on Saturday, featuring a significant increase in global participation and a strong lineup of world premieres.
Co-hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, this year's festival has received about 4,100 film submissions from 125 countries and regions across the world, with entries from the Americas and Africa showing a marked increase.
Back in Hollywood, the legacy of Chinese kung fu cinema remains a beloved and lasting presence for moviegoers.
"I've seen several Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee movies," said a fan.
"Anything with Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee are classics," said another fan.
For many interviewed along the boulevard, cinema is a universal language that fosters understanding across cultures. Movies, they said, know no borders. Its ability to bring people together through shared experiences earns it a seat at the table of international relations.
"I feel like movies, for the most part, they all entail a message, and I think those are universal for, like, whatever language regardless. So I think, yeah, it could be a bridge," said a fan.
"For sure, it will definitely connect countries together and bring them together," said another fan.
A moviegoer said that even without understanding the language, he connected with a Chinese film through universal themes.
"I think that's an easy way for people to connect, even if it's a Chinese film. Like, I saw a Chinese film, a language I didn't understand, but I connected to the themes that connect all humanity, like love and drama and comedy. So I think all those things are international, for sure, and I think that is a great way to connect humans, to understand why we're all not so different," he said.
Founded in 1993, SIFF has become a prestigious international event, reflecting Shanghai's ambition to establish itself as a global cultural hub. The festival has attracted growing international attention thanks to China's flourishing film market.
From Hollywood to Shanghai, cinema knows no borders
European Union (EU) leaders had agreed to extend sanctions on Russia for another 12 months, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.
The decision, made at an EU summit in Brussels, marks the first time that the bloc has renewed its economic sanctions package for a full year.
Previously, the measures had been extended every six months.
The summit also agreed to produce a preliminary deal on a two-trillion-euro (about 2.30 trillion U.S. dollars) long-term budget for 2028-2034 by October, according to a draft statement published on Friday.
However, significant disagreements remained among member states regarding the allocation of funds.
While Germany, the Netherlands and some countries push to slash the bloc's total spend, southern and eastern member states are concerned that funding for sectors such as agriculture will be sacrificed in favor of more defense spending.
Another hotly discussed topic is the Ukraine issue. The country opened negotiations this month on the first cluster of its accession talks with the EU, and von der Leyen said the bloc aims to open negotiations on additional clusters in the near future.
The European Council also adopted joint conclusions on Ukraine endorsed by all 27 EU leaders for the first time since Dec 2024, said European Council President Antonio Costa at a press conference.
He also said he was establishing a diplomatic channel through his office to facilitate direct communication between the EU and Russia, stressing that the bloc must be able to convey its own messages to Moscow rather than rely on others to interpret Russia's positions.
However, some EU leaders remain cautious about the role Costa should play in any future peace negotiations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the diplomatic coordination mechanism involving Germany, France and Britain had been established at Ukraine's explicit request, adding that Costa plays an important role in representing the EU, but there is no need for him to "make further decisions right now."
Diplomatic contacts related to a possible ceasefire and peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have so far been largely driven by the United States, while European countries have sought a greater role in the process.
The leaders of the EU's 27 member states gathered in Brussels for a two-day summit from June 18 to 19, discussing support for Ukraine, the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and other key issues.
EU leaders agree to extend sanctions on Russia for one year
