Veteran filmmaker Lee Lik Chee captivated audiences at the 20th Changchun Film Festival with a masterclass on balancing entertainment and cultural resonance in Chinese cinema. Reflecting on his iconic collaborations with Stephen Chow and the late Ng Man-tat, Lee emphasized how their comedies succeeded by "making audiences laugh while holding a mirror to society."
"Cinema is a dance between art and commerce," Lee told attendees, highlighting the need for modern filmmakers to adapt to evolving viewer expectations. He praised recent mainland productions that blend technological innovation with universal themes, noting their growing international appeal.
The director urged emerging creators to study China's rich storytelling traditions while embracing new narrative formats. "Our industry's future lies in honoring our roots while speaking the visual language of the digital age," he said, drawing parallels between classic wuxia epics and contemporary streaming content.
