By CCTV.com reporters: Zhang Hao, Shen Jie
Looking China•Youth China Film Project, a cross-cultural program designed to showcase Chinese culture through the perspectives of international film makers, announced its awards winners on April 6, its 5th anniversary. It also announced its project for 2016, themed “ Charm .Nation.Culture.”
The documentary “A Bowl of Lanzhou Beef Noodles” —made by director Corine Tian, a junior student from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Liu Yunni, a student from Northwest Normal University, China—won first prize. The 10-minute film compares Lanzhou beef noodles from restaurants in Singapore’s China Town and in Lanzhou, China, focusing on the unique cultural significance of food in Chinese people’s lives.
“So when I went online to research, I found that the Lanzhou beef noodles can be found anywhere in the world actually. Since we are going to the place of its origins, I decided to explore more about the noodles and its relation to the family and people of Lanzhou,” said Tian.
“I think noodle is really important in China, like so much significance, like even behind the process of making the noodles, like with its longevity and stuff. To explore how one culture moves from one place to another place,” said Tian. “And as long as they feel happy eating it, and they see how much it put into each individual bowl of noodles, I think it’s really great. “
Themed “Individual, Family, Nation,” all participants have presented their exploration of Chinese cultural factors through grassroots stories. The “Golden Lenses Award” is to guide young filmmakers to an advanced professional path. Sponsored by Huilin Foundation and AICCC, the award is also designed to boost the global outreach of Chinese culture.
“I hope our program will carry on with the characteristic of sustainability, given the countless stories of our nation,” said Huang Huilin, founder of Huilin Foundation.
Huang says a seminar will be held this year for international exchanges based on previous experience.
“China is a country that is too large to be thoroughly understood by people outside, and it is not easy at all to do so, therefore, it takes time,” Huang said.
