North Macedonia Film Panorama opens in Beijing

A promotional poster for the North Macedonia Film Panorama. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The North Macedonia Film Panorama opened in Beijing on June 5, offering Chinese audiences a window into the country's cinematic heritage and culture through a curated selection of acclaimed films.

Running through June 14, the event is co-hosted by the Embassy of North Macedonia in China, the EU-China Film Festival and Broadway Cinematheque. The lineup features seven North Macedonian titles: "Honeyland," "Before the Rain," "DJ Ahmet," "Everybody Calls Redjo," "Jon Vardar vs the Galaxy," "Pepi and Muto" and "Silent Cinema."

Speaking at the opening ceremony, North Macedonia's Ambassador to China Sashko Nasev highlighted the role of cinema in fostering cultural understanding.

"Culture is so vast," Nasev said. "Movies are the easiest way to recognize somebody's legacy."

He also expressed hope that more Chinese films would be screened in North Macedonia in the future to further deepen bilateral cultural ties.

The panorama kicked off at the China World Trade Center cinema with a packed screening of the documentary "Honeyland," which follows Hatidze Muratova, a traditional beekeeper in the remote mountains of North Macedonia, whose quiet life is disrupted by the arrival of a nomadic family. The film received nominations for both best documentary feature film and best international feature film at the 92nd Academy Awards.

Atanas Georgiev, producer and editor of "Honeyland," said the film has already gained popularity among Chinese viewers.

"It was released on Bilibili before and has a very good rating," Georgiev said. "People will laugh and cry watching it."

"Macedonia is a very small country, and we can't compete with big productions. But we have stories to tell," he added.

Yuan Mengqian, secretary-general of the EU-China Film Festival, praised North Macedonian cinema for its distinctive, intimate perspective on human relationships and daily life.

"Through delicate yet powerful storytelling, North Macedonian films reveal profound connections between people and the land, family, time and destiny," Yuan said. "For Chinese audiences, this film panorama is not only a gateway to North Macedonian cinema, but a window into the diverse lives and cultural tapestry of the Balkan region."

Yuan added that film festivals extend far beyond the screen, serving as a bridge for cultural exchange and international cooperation.