French director amazed by Chinese film industry's growth

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French filmmaker Alain Chabat took his first Christmas movie, "Santa & Cie," to Beijing on Dec 10 and 11, hoping the Santa Claus he played will tickle the ribs of Chinese moviegoers in this chilly winter. 


"This marks my first time to set foot onto this magical land and I am enwrapped by China's incredible history and traditional culture. Maybe my next movies will find inspiration here," the 59-year-old director-actor told China Daily Website.


In his latest comedy "Santa & Cie," Chabat acts as a funny yet stubborn Santa Claus whose elves all get sick before Christmas; therefore, Santa has to visit the earth and find a cure to save his elves, and Christmas as well.


The film hit the domestic big screen on Dec 6 and managed to take the box office crown last week in France, and will arrive in Chinese mainland theaters Friday.

"I started to write the script at the end of 2015, so it almost took me two years to give birth to such a comedy. I flexibly do role switching as a writer, director and actor, which is a huge challenge as well as a beautiful experience," the director said.

Born in Oran, a coastal city in northwestern French Algeria, Chabat has firmly believed in the magic of Santa Claus since he was a child.


"To a majority of western kids, Santa Claus is more than a happy old man with a long white beard, but also the embodiment of love and dreams. And I hope my version of Santa Claus will inspire the audience," he said.


"'Santa & Cie' successfully takes me to Christmas time in advance. The scene design is fascinating, especially the production process of the toy. It was beyond my expectations," said Wang Ting, who attended the film's premiere at Beijing-based Wanda Cinemas on Dec 11. "The French people really know whimsy and romance."

In the film, French actress Audrey Tatou played the role of Santa Claus's wife. The actress was widely known to Chinese people thanks to her lead role in the 2001 film Amélie, which met with critical acclaim and was a major box-office success.


Speaking of her performance in the film, the director gives his thumbs up.


"She was born to be an actress and I really enjoy working with her," he said."And the gentle and sweet Mrs. Claus she played has stolen the hearts of many audiences."


During his two-day tour of China, Chabat visited many cinemas in Beijing and was surprised to see the great strides Chinese film industry has made in the last several years.


"From online ticket purchase, the cinema's internal infrastructure to the soaring growth of 3D movie screens, China is definitely the pioneer in the world," the director said."In my country, most people are not used to buying tickets online. Instead, they would stand in a long queue and buy tickets one by one. This situation is seldom seen in China."

The huge progress Chinese filmmakers have made also impresses the"King of Comedians" in France, he said.


Chinese actress Liu Yifei, set to star as the titular female warrior in Disney's live-action adaptation of the classic Chinese epic Mulan, is the best Chinese candidate for his future works.


"She is typical of Chinese beauty, with a perfect face. The classic role she played in costume dramas deserves Disney's attention."


When it comes to Chinese directors, Xu Zheng is at the top of Chabat's list of future collaborators." The funny film Lost in Thailand directed by him helped me understand Chinese humor for the first time. And if we can cooperate in the future, maybe its sequel'Lost in France' will come in time."


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