Photo: Courtesy of Film Valensole 1965

Dominique Filhol, the French director of Sino-French production "Valensole 1965", and lead actors Matthias Van Khache and Vahina Giocante graced the closing ceremony's red carpet on Saturday. The film debuted on June 15 at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). Within 24 hours, all seats were sold out, highlighting its instant popularity among Chinese audiences.

Valensole, a town in Provence, France, renowned for its lavender fields, wine, gourmet cuisine, and stunning natural landscapes, is the backdrop for "Valensole 1965". The film is inspired by real-life events known as the Valensole UFO incident: in July 1965, a farmer named Maurice Masse witnessed an unidentified flying object leaving mysterious traces in his lavender field. The incident captivated the world's attention, drawing curious onlookers and reporters to the small town, disrupting its tranquil daily life, and making Maurice a focal point of suspicion and intrigue. Confronted with this sudden event, he had to fight to protect his family.

While not strictly a science fiction film, "Valensole 1965" attracted a diverse audience including sci-fi enthusiasts. Chinese viewers' enthusiastic reviews deeply moved director Filhol. This film marks Filhol's debut feature film, with many of the crew, including the cinematographer, transitioning from extensive careers in advertising and television to their first major film project. Through "Valensole 1965", this team of professionals has realized their shared dream of filmmaking.

Photo: Courtesy of Film Valensole 1965

Both Chinese and French producers, including Ning Ning, Steve Rene, and Virginie Lacombe have played pivotal roles in bringing this film to fruition. A celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, the film embodies a joint effort between filmmakers of both nations, exploring the spirit of scientific inquiry and offering a new visual perspective on the mysteries of human-alien encounters.

Over a decade ago, Chinese producer Ning Ning and fellow filmmakers embarked on Sino-French co-productions, beginning with "The Nightingale", directed by renowned French filmmaker Philippe Muyl and starring many Chinese actors. Though helmed by a French director, "The Nightingale" was China's selection for foreign-language Oscar contender in 2014.

"The Nightingale" was one of the earliest films produced under the Sino-French film co-production agreement signed in 2010. The movie received a warm reception in France, maintaining nearly a hundred screenings per week for over ten weeks, with a total viewership approaching 150,000. This success laid a solid foundation for Ning Ning and her team to create diverse films like "Valensole 1965" and "Hunting", each exploring different genres and styles.

"China and France possess rich cultural, historical, and economic differences, which are a source of abundant shared wealth for humanity," Ning Ning remarked. She believes that their collaborative efforts in filmmaking capitalize on complementary strengths, offering the world fresh cinematic experiences.

Reflecting on a Chinese viewer's comment expressing eagerness to visit the beautiful and enchanting lavender fields depicted in "Valensole 1965", Ning Ning expressed a joy similar to when "The Nightingale" sparked French tourists' interest in scenic spots like Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County and Yangshuo County in South China's Guangxi Province. With 2024 being designated as the China-France Cultural Tourism Year, Ning Ning sees immense potential for expanding the film's role in cultural diplomacy.

"This film serves many purposes, and cultural confidence is its best name card," Ning Ning said.