China should establish complete industrial system to promote development of art films

The development of Chinese art films should not just rely on the state's subventions, but also on the establishment of a complete industrial system, Chinese director Jia Zhangke said in Cannes.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua during the 69th Cannes Film Festival, Jia said a complete industrial system will "allow art films not only to reach a larger audience, but also to promote their commercialization".

For the Chinese director, it is "regrettable" and "shocking" to see that no Chinese films were in the official selection of this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Stressing that this might be just a coincidence, Jia didn't deny the fact that there are few young Chinese filmmakers who can represent China in important international film festivals in recent years.

"Also, most of the Chinese audience prefer going to watch the entertaining movies instead of supporting art films," Jia said.

According to Jia, who won Best Screenplay of the 66th Cannes Film Festival and served as a jury member of the main competition in the 67th Cannes Film Festival, "the increase of artistic quality of the films depends on the overall promotion of the cultural level of filmmaking".

"It requires both strengthening the artistic level of the filmmakers themselves, and improving spectators' appreciation," Jia added.

He suggested the government introducing more measures to support art films, including favorable tax rates or offering specific subventions.

China also should further provide platforms to support young Chinese directors to show their works across China, and mobilize all the cinemas to create a favorable atmosphere to the commercialization of art films, Jia proposed.

The development of art films should not totally rely on the government, it is necessary that the filmmakers seek to better exploit the market, Jia told Xinhua.

"Compared with the United States or European countries, the development of the film industry in China has a short developing history," he said, adding that it takes a gradual process to form a globally high artistic level of the films.