Canadian filmmaker Sophie Deraspe, director of the critically acclaimed drama Shepherds, shared her admiration for Chinese moviegoers during an exclusive interview at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival. The film, which explores humanity's connection to nature and critiques modern urban disillusionment, competed for the festival's prestigious Tiantan Award.
Deraspe highlighted the unique energy of China's cinema culture, noting: "The audiences here are young, engaged, and ask insightful questions. Their clever interpretations of symbolism in Shepherds surprised me—it shows a deep understanding of global storytelling."
Awarded for its poetic visuals and philosophical narrative, Shepherds follows protagonists seeking meaning beyond societal constraints. The director emphasized her goal to "spark conversations about our collective future" through artistic cinema rather than provide easy answers.
Deraspe's first visit to China coincides with growing international interest in the country's film market, now the world's largest by screen count. When asked about cross-cultural collaboration opportunities, she responded: "Cinema transcends borders. I'm excited to see how Chinese creators interpret universal themes through their cultural lens."
