The Chinese Film Week 2025 in Brussels officially opened on Friday evening with a screening of Endless Journey, in the presence of the Chinese envoys to the European Union (EU) and Belgium, along with the film’s director and lead actor.
Taking place as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic ties between China and the EU, the event is hosted by the Mission of China to the EU in cooperation with the China Film Administration.
The audience was notably diverse in age and background. About 100 guests attended the event, including EU civil servants, politicians, diplomats, members of the Chinese diaspora, students and cinema lovers.
As the moderator, who charmed the audience throughout the evening, reminded: “Films, like literature, transcend languages, borders, and distance through images and emotions. These films help us discover each other a bit better, day by day.”
Endless Journey: A story of justice and resilience
Setting the tone for the evening, Chinese Ambassador to the EU Cai Run called the 50th anniversary ‘a pivotal moment to build on the past and forge ahead into the future’. He highlighted Xi Jinping and Antonio Costa’s pledge to mark the milestone with ‘meaningful events’ and stronger people-to-people ties.
The Ambassador saw in this film week is a concrete step to implement it and called films the “art of light and shadow” a medium which he said had become, “through its powerful emotional resonance and communicative force, a bridge for mutual learning among civilisations and a bond for people-to-people understanding.”
Echoing the ambassador’s words, Ma Jia, Editor-in-Chief of China Movie Channel, also present at the event, added that “films transcend cultural, religious, and ideological differences… and have facilitated understanding and exchanges between China and Europe.”
Moments before inviting the audience to silence their phones and enjoy the screening, the moderator warmly warned: “The film might bring some tears, ladies and gentlemen. So, I hope you are all ready for that.”
An Endless journey to charm an “audience without borders“
Directed by Dai Mo, Endless Journey is a crime drama centred on a police squad determined to find a murderer against all odds. As the director explained “justice may come late, but it always comes, no matter the country.”
The film follows the squad’s search for the murderer, taking the audience across China. It candidly portrays everyday life, filmed across four municipalities and spanning over ten years. Many scenes unfold in cramped living spaces, alongside vivid depictions of street markets, prisons, street life, dark alleyways, contrasted by a scene in the nature. The story offers a layered glimpse into China’s rapid economic development, its evolving urban landscapes, the resilience of ordinary people and community spirit
The director further explained that the film’s success lies in the fact it is based on a true story: “The story of the front-line police in China – people’s stories can touch us more because we are ordinary people. That’s why it moves us so deeply.”
The audience seemed to share this emotion. Spontaneous applause erupted during a scene where a character vowed to continue fighting for justice and to serve the people with integrity, a moment that resonated deeply with the audience
Zhang Yi, recipient of the Huabiao Award for Best Actor, gave an outstanding performance. When asked whether he was considering an international career, he laughed it off, saying: “We Chinese people wish to share our precious stories with people around the world. The aim of the Chinese Film Week, and of our delegation, is not to pursue personal recognition or individual goals abroad.”
He added that he hoped the films would encourage foreign friends to visit China, noting that Chinese people are “kind and, like Europeans, value truth, kindness, and beauty,” despite the differences between China and the EU.
The director also explained that while some filmmakers focus on whether their films will attract Chinese audiences, his team’s only aim was to tell a real story: “for us, the audience is without borders.”
Throughout the evening, a consistent theme emerged: the desire to use cinema to build bridges, to showcase what unites rather than what divides, and to use soft power to foster mutual understanding.
The films screening this week
The films selected for the festival share universal themes that can be easily recognised and understood by a wide audience. The six exceptional Chinese films each bring their own distinct style, story, and voice.
- Never Say Never – a spirited action film focusing on children’s growth.
- The Composer – traces the wartime experiences of the renowned musician Xian Xinghai.
- YOLO – highlights the strength and resilience of contemporary Chinese women.
- I Am What I Am – a highly inspirational animated film celebrated for its rich oriental aesthetics.
- Le Cerf-Volant du bout du monde (The Magic of the Kite) – a classic 1958 Sino-French children’s film.
Ambassador Cai Run emphasised that the selected films are high-quality productions that vividly reflect the values, lifestyles, and aspirations of the Chinese people, offering European audiences “a valuable window into China’s social development and the people’s pursuit of a better life.”
Audience reactions
The film ended to sustained applause, as the director and lead actor bowed to the audience. Several attendees praised the film for its emotional depth, the realism of the performances, and its ability to sustain tension throughout the 90 minutes. One audience member, a father himself, was particularly moved by the portrayal of the father – daughter relationship and wished the film had lasted longer.
Another attendee, a fan of Zhang Yi, surprised the actor by offering him a hand-drawn cartoon of the film’s iconic dinner scene – a touching cultural crossover in a country renowned for its comic art.
The film week will run from June 28 to July 4, 2025, with all screenings held at the China Cultural Center in Brussels.
