At the 12th Silk Road International Film Festival, Italian director Gabriele Mainetti spotlighted cinema's power to bridge civilizations, calling films an "emotional vehicle" for cross-cultural understanding. As a jury member for the Golden Silk Road Awards, Mainetti emphasized his fascination with China's natural landscapes and its rapidly evolving film industry during an interview with CGTN's Zhang Meng.
Speaking in a milestone year marking 55 years of China-Italy diplomatic relations, the director – known for blending distinctly Italian narratives with global genre appeal – highlighted how artistic exchanges between the two ancient civilizations spark creative innovation. "When our storytelling traditions interact," Mainetti noted, "they create unexpected possibilities that resonate across borders."
The festival, held in Fujian province, showcased over 100 films from countries and regions along the historic trade routes. Industry analysts observe growing collaboration between Chinese and Italian filmmakers, particularly in co-productions leveraging both countries' rich historical tapestries.
For business professionals tracking Asia's creative industries, the event underscored China's expanding soft power infrastructure. Meanwhile, academics note such exchanges offer fresh frameworks for interpreting East-West cultural dynamics through accessible mediums.
