First Chinese Film Week kicks off in Athens, cooperation anticipated

Tong Gang, Deputy Minister of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People's Republic of China, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the Chinese Film Week in Athens, capital of Greece, on Sept 15, 2014. The first Chinese Film Week in Greece kicked off in Athens on Monday, which aimed to introduce wider Greek audiences to modern Chinese movies. [Photo/Xinhua]

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"The Chinese Embassy to Greece will take every possible initiative to help Greek audiences gain greater access to Chinese films," he said shortly before the screening of the first film of the festival, "the Beijing Love Story".

Part of the romantic comedy was filmed in Santorini with the support of Greek National Tourism Organization and over the past few months helped increase the flow of Chinese tourists to the Aegean Sea island. Greek Tourism Ministry Olga Kefalogiannis was among dignitaries on Monday evening.

Film director Chen Sicheng, leading actress Tong Liya and producer Zhao Fang also attended the opening ceremony.

"As a child I liked to read Greek mythology. Greece is a beautiful country with a rich history like China which I would love to discover," Chen said addressing the event. He revealed that most likely his second movie will most likely also have a connection to Greece.

The festival will also feature "The Grandmaster" by Wong Kar-Wai, "the Partners" by Peter Chang, "the Chinese Zodiac" by Jackie Chan, as well as "the Police Diary" by Ning Ying, "Say Yes" by Leste Chen, "The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" by Tsui Hark and "The Full Circle" by Zhang Yang.

Next year China will host a similar first Greek Film Festival, Luan Guozhi, Vice Director of the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People's Republic of China told a press briefing earlier on Monday.