At the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), Cedric Behrel, co-founder of independent UK distributor Trinity CineAsia, shared his insights on connecting global audiences through film. With Trinity CineAsia holding theatrical distribution rights to “Ne Zha 2” across 37 European countries, Behrel spoke about the unique challenges and rewards of bringing Chinese cinema to European viewers.
“One of the biggest hurdles is maintaining the humor in translation,” Behrel explained. “Humor is often deeply rooted in cultural nuances, so we have to work diligently to ensure that jokes land with audiences from different backgrounds.” He emphasized the importance of localized subtitling to preserve the original intent and comedic timing.
Despite these challenges, Behrel believes that emotions in film transcend language barriers. “While humor can be culture-specific, emotions are universal,” he said. “A compelling story with heartfelt emotion can connect with anyone, anywhere in the world. That’s the power of cinema—it brings people together.”
Behrel’s dedication to bridging cultural gaps highlights the growing importance of international collaboration in the film industry. By focusing on shared human experiences, films like “Ne Zha 2” have the potential to resonate with global audiences, fostering understanding and appreciation across cultures.
