What transforms a regional story into a global phenomenon? Chinese director Huo Jianqi, celebrated for his 1999 masterpiece Postmen in the Mountains, argues that universal human connections hold the key. In an exclusive interview, he reveals how films rooted in local landscapes can spark recognition from Buenos Aires to Beijing.
Filmed in Hunan's misty peaks, Postmen in the Mountains follows a retiring postal worker and his son navigating rugged terrain. While deeply Chinese in setting, its themes of generational understanding and quiet perseverance resonated globally. 'Audiences in Nigeria told me they saw their own family dynamics reflected,' Huo recalls.
The director emphasizes authenticity: 'Whether shooting in Asian bamboo forests or Africa's savannahs, you must let environments shape performances organically.' His approach prioritizes unscripted moments – a shared laugh between actors during breaks, or the way light filters through leaves at dawn.
With streaming platforms amplifying cross-cultural dialogue, Huo sees new opportunities: 'When a teenager in Lima watches a film from Changsha and feels understood, that's cinema fulfilling its highest purpose.' As Asian storytelling gains global traction, his insights offer a roadmap for creators navigating our interconnected creative landscape.
