Photo: VCG

No matter if it is art, design or other cultural sectors, the continued exchanges between ­China and Italy in 2024 appears to have become even more spirited due to a special occasion - the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death. 

Called by Massimo Ambrosetti, ambassador of Italy to China, "an iconic figure in East-West dialogue," the Italian merchant Marco Polo has become a symbol inspiring cultural schemes in modern times, including the China-Italy cultural cooperation mechanism, which Massimo Bray, Italy's former culture minister, helped initiate. 

In his recent trip to Beijing, Bray shared his observations on the exchanges in film and TV industries between China and Italy. 

Taking the TV show adapted from Liu Cixin's sci-fi novel The Three-Body Problem as an example, Bray told the Global Times that the production has "deepened Italian viewers' understanding of the innovative force of the Chinese entertainment industry." Nowadays, the Italian public has shown "great interest in new Chinese film and TV works," Bray noted. 

Such "great interest" has never been a one-way street. At venues like the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival, Italian arthouse films like Her Second Chance have been introduced to Chinese moviegoers. Produced by emerging company Articolture, the film reveals the up-to-date cultural characteristics of the Italian film industry. 

"Emerging works allow Chinese fans to see the current trends in the Italian film industry," film industry expert Xiao Sujun told the Global Times. 

Noting TV and film productions can "reduce the cultural distance" between China and Italy, Bray revealed the two countries have continued making co-produced films. Chinese actor-director Yu Ailei's upcoming film in 2030 is one example. The film not only includes scenes filmed in Shanghai and Rome, but was also supported by Italy's Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.  

"I believe that both governments place great importance on the development of film and television, as well as on promoting each country's cinematic works globally," Bray noted. He also said that the Chinese government "focuses on promoting Chinese film and television productions worldwide," and Italy shares this commitment, reflecting a mutual emphasis on the creation of high-quality content.

Aside from exchanges in film, the gaming industry is another "important" sector that can bring young generations in China and Italy closer. 

Taking the trending Black Myth: Wukong as an example, Bray stressed the significance of the rise of video games, as seen in how the blockbuster has sparked a global interest in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. 

"The game is particularly meaningful because it highlights how the Chinese gaming industry is adept at interpreting new technologies and integrating them into its traditional cultural fabric," he emphasized.  

To further China-Italy collaborations in the gaming industry, associations such as China's Guangdong Entertainment & Game Industry Association are participating in the Rome Video Game Lab 2024 game festival in Italy in 2024. The exchange has made the Chinese organizations understand the game market, product distribution, and platform operations in Italy. 

Titled A Journey of Knowledge: The Travels of Marco Polo and Their Legacy between East and West, an art show that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni watched while in China, highlighted the two countries' exchanges in 2024. The exhibition reveals China-Italy artistic communications "have never stopped and are full of zest," Bray said. 

On August 8, the Venice Biennale signed a three-year plan with the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou to collaborate on contemporary art, architecture, dance, music, theater, and film through exhibitions, research programs, publishing activities, international conferences, and seminars.

"For many years, cultural exchanges between China and Italy have been marked by mutual respect and have yielded fruitful results," Bray emphasized.