At the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival, German filmmaker Julian Radlmaier and producer Kirill Krasovski found themselves engaging with an entirely new audience as they introduced their feature Phantoms of July to Chinese viewers. The film, nominated for the prestigious Golden Coconut Award, marked their first artistic journey into China. While speaking with CGTN’s Zhang Meng, both filmmakers shared the excitement of presenting their work at a festival they described as vibrant, inclusive and increasingly influential in the global film circuit. For them, Hainan offered not only a platform to showcase their film but also a window into China’s evolving cinematic culture.
Discovering a Shared Language Through Film
During the interview, Radlmaier emphasized that cinema’s power lies in its ability to communicate across borders. He noted that regardless of cultural differences or linguistic barriers, stories rooted in human experience always find a way to resonate. Krasovski echoed this sentiment, saying that the emotional core of a film often speaks more loudly than any specific cultural reference. Their interactions with Chinese audiences reaffirmed this belief. They were struck by how viewers connected with the themes in Phantoms of July, interpreting its narrative through their own cultural lenses while still finding common ground with the film’s message.
HIIFF as a Meeting Point for Global Creators
Both filmmakers described HIIFF as an inspiring gathering place for directors, writers and producers from around the world. They praised the festival’s ability to bring together such a diverse range of creative voices. For Radlmaier and Krasovski, the event felt less like a competition and more like a forum for artistic exchange. They highlighted how conversations with Asian filmmakers sparked new ideas about storytelling, production techniques and cultural approaches to cinema. This atmosphere of collaboration made their participation deeply rewarding and encouraged them to consider future creative projects that involve international partners.
Chinese Audiences Welcoming New Perspectives
One of the most memorable takeaways for the duo was the openness of Chinese audiences. They described viewers as curious, reflective and eager to explore films from different cultural backgrounds. This level of engagement surprised them in the best possible way. After screenings, the filmmakers found themselves immersed in thoughtful discussions about symbolism, character motivations and stylistic choices. These moments reinforced their belief that cinema is a universal medium capable of building bridges between people who may come from vastly different societies but share a passion for storytelling.
Looking Toward Future Cross Border Collaboration
Their experience at HIIFF has shaped their vision for upcoming projects. Radlmaier and Krasovski expressed genuine interest in cross border co productions, saying that China’s rapidly expanding film industry offers tremendous creative potential. They noted that cooperation between European and Chinese filmmakers could lead to stories that blend perspectives, styles and cultural influences in ways that enrich global cinema. Both believe that future collaborations with Chinese partners could help them explore new narrative forms while reaching wider international audiences.
Their time in Hainan left them with a sense of excitement about the role festivals like HIIFF play in connecting filmmakers from across the world. They described the event as a symbol of how cinema continues to evolve as a global art form, driven by shared inspiration and a desire to tell stories that resonate universally. As they returned home, Radlmaier and Krasovski carried with them not only memories of their film’s reception but also a renewed commitment to creating work that transcends borders and celebrates the common threads of human experience.
