Swiss filmmakers and film productions in cultural exchange with China
28.04.2010
Two events held in Beijing at the beginning of May will afford Swiss documentary filmmaking a platform. Seven documentary films will be screened at the Documentary Film Festival China in Song Zhuang (May 1-7, 2010). In addition and almost simultaneously, the Swiss documentary filmmaker and producer Vadim Jendreyko will be in the limelight at the interdisciplinary May Festival in Beijing (May 5-9).
The Documentary Film Festival China is an independent platform for Chinese documentary filmmaking. It is held in the artist village of Song Zhuang in the eastern suburbs of Beijing, in which over 2,000 artists live and work. It is hosted by the Li-Xianting Film Foundation, which was founded by the prominent Chinese art critic Li Xianting. This year marks the festival’s seventh edition, and for the first time ever, Swiss filmmakers and film productions have been invited to the festival: “Das Haus im Park” (2010) by Hercli Bundi; “Face au juge” (2009) by Pierre-François Sauter; “Cartographie 1-9” (2002-2008) featuring choreographies by Philippe Saire; “Heimatklänge” (2007) by Stefan Schwietert; “Das Erbe der Bergler” (2006) by Erich Langjahr; “La bonne conduite” (1999) by Jean-Stéphane Bron; and “Requiem” (1992) by Reni Mertens and Walter Marti. Hercli Bundi and Pierre-François Sauter will both present their films personally.
Vadim Jendreyko’s presence in Beijing marks the fourth continuous year of the collaborative project carried out between SWISS FILMS and the Caochangdi Workstation founded by Wu Wenguang and Wen Hui. It was launched in autumn 2008 and featured Peter Liechti in conjunction with the Crossing Festival. Thereafter, the festival spotlighted Edna Politi in May 2009 and Fernand Melgar in October 2009. Jendreyko will present his multi-award-winning film “Die Frau mit den 5 Elefanten” (2009) as well as his films “Leistung am Limit” (2004), “Transit: Zürich – Flughafen” (2003) and “Bashkim” (2001). Concomitantly, he will lead a workshop with documentary filmmakers from China. Jean Perret, the outgoing director of Visions du Réel, will also be present in China with a Masters class.
This cultural exchange was initiated by SWISS FILMS and is part of the “Swiss Chinese Cultural Explorations”, a cultural exchange programme for which SWISS FILMS and Pro Helvetia have selected a number of projects aiming to foster collaboration and long-term exchanges between Switzerland and China.
The two events also collaborated with the Visions du Réel Film Festival in Nyon, which contributed to the cultural exchange by devoting a special programme to Chinese documentary filmmaking called “Authentic encounters”.
Zurich, April 28. 2010
Vadim Jendreyko’s presence in Beijing marks the fourth continuous year of the collaborative project carried out between SWISS FILMS and the Caochangdi Workstation founded by Wu Wenguang and Wen Hui. It was launched in autumn 2008 and featured Peter Liechti in conjunction with the Crossing Festival. Thereafter, the festival spotlighted Edna Politi in May 2009 and Fernand Melgar in October 2009. Jendreyko will present his multi-award-winning film “Die Frau mit den 5 Elefanten” (2009) as well as his films “Leistung am Limit” (2004), “Transit: Zürich – Flughafen” (2003) and “Bashkim” (2001). Concomitantly, he will lead a workshop with documentary filmmakers from China. Jean Perret, the outgoing director of Visions du Réel, will also be present in China with a Masters class.
This cultural exchange was initiated by SWISS FILMS and is part of the “Swiss Chinese Cultural Explorations”, a cultural exchange programme for which SWISS FILMS and Pro Helvetia have selected a number of projects aiming to foster collaboration and long-term exchanges between Switzerland and China.
The two events also collaborated with the Visions du Réel Film Festival in Nyon, which contributed to the cultural exchange by devoting a special programme to Chinese documentary filmmaking called “Authentic encounters”.
Zurich, April 28. 2010