China's filmmakers and TV drama producers should consider introducing more culture-bound works that reflect realistic lives of Chinese people, said actors, directors and screenwriters during the annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
"Good storytelling is not created behind closed doors, but demands that we plunge into the thick of it and make thorough observations of people's daily lives," said Feng Yuanzheng, a CPPCC member and famed actor.
In recent years, Chinese TV dramas and films, be they period or historical dramas, romantic or fan pictures, are gaining popularity worldwide. Statistics from the National Radio and Television Administration show that the value of China's exported movie and TV contents and services reached over 400 million yuan in 2017, and have steadily increasing scale, diversifying forms and expanding markets.
No matter which genre they fall into, all movies and TV drama productions should respect the history and culture, and depict true Chinese society, Feng told China.org.cn. "Only by doing so can they win the hearts of both Chinese and overseas viewers."
Liu Jiacheng, also a CPPCC member and TV drama director, said that a good TV production that aims to gain worldwide attention and reputation should reveal the inner lives of its characters and display the real China.
"It can be a window for the world to understand China," he added.
To promote Chinese productions worldwide, Liu suggests that authorities should increase supervision and regulation of subject matter of films and series, provide more support during the filming and production process, and facilitate marketing.
Liu also stressed that producers will need to have some knowledge and understanding of the foreign market and foreign culture if they are to achieve success overseas.
Wang Liping, a CPPCC member and a gold-medal awarded screenwriter, recognizes that good movies and TV dramas can reach an emotional resonance among people around the world and facilitate cross-cultural communication. She hopes more people outside of China will come to understand the changing lives of the Chinese people through quality productions.