Ready for some movie magic? 🎬 At the 2025 Golden Panda Awards in Chengdu, jury president and Palme d'Or legend Chen Kaige dropped some real talk on what makes cinema so captivating. 'The magic of cinema lies between reality and illusion,' he told CGTN's Zhang Meng, and honestly, we couldn't agree more.
Ever got goosebumps from a blockbuster's special effects, yet cried over a simple, heartfelt scene? That's the duality Chen Kaige is all about: using visual wizardry to amplify real human emotions. It's like that jaw-dropping twist in your favorite K-drama or the emotional roller-coaster in a Bollywood epic—both feel real, even when they're worlds apart.
So what's his creative secret? Imagine a Venn diagram where one circle is everyday life and the other is pure imagination. That overlap is where Chen finds his stories. Whether it's a rural village tale or a cityscape thriller, he believes cinema should reflect society while sparking fresh ideas.
Young creators in South and Southeast Asia, take note: from Satyajit Ray's timeless classics to the latest Netflix hits, blending truth and fantasy can transform your storytelling. Next time you shoot a vlog or a short film for Insta, remember Chen's mantra—embrace both the real and the surreal. ✨
Curious to dive deeper? The full interview drops soon—stay tuned! 🔍
Reference(s):
Interview with Chen Kaige: Exploring cinema's reality and illusion
cgtn.com
