French actress Juliette Binoche arrives for the opening of the Sixth annual French Film Panorama in China on April 9, 2009, at Beijing's Saga Cinema. (Sina.com)

The sixth annual French Film Panorama in China officially began on Thursday night in Beijing's Saga Cinema, with the screening of director Cedric Klapisch's Paris starring Oscar-winning French actress Juliette Binoche.

At the opening, Cedric Klapisch expressed his wishes that the audience would feel as if they had been to France after the film, and how he would like to see Chinese directors show more about China in their own way, just like he did with Paris in his film.

Juliette Binoche also shared her experience of acting. The actress told how she considers each film a contract and the expectations of audiences weigh heavily on her. Whenever she takes a role, she takes it as a promise.

A dozen visiting French filmmakers and industry figures also appeared at the Thursday opening.

Beijing moviegoers will have an opportunity to watch a total of 12 recently released French feature films and 12 short films during two rounds of screenings from April 9 to 23.

The screening list includes Magique by director Philippe Muyl, Mia et Miggou by Jacques-Remy Girerd, Jean-Claude Van Damme (JCVD) and Sagan.

In two other Chinese cities, Chengdu and Guangzhou, screenings of the panorama began on April 1 and Shanghai, the last leg of the Panorama, will soon open its event on April 13.

French movies are still appealing to many Chinese audiences while the local film market is in a void period between the February and May peak movie going seasons. Tickets for the festival have sold very quickly. Many movie fans are having to wait for the extended second round of purchasing starting on April 17.

The event is held jointly by UniFrance, the French Embassy and the State Administration of Radio Film and Television (SARFT) to promote cultural exchanges between the two peoples.

(CRIENGLISH.com April 10, 2009)