China Film Festival in Zimbabwe to showcase captivating Chinese films -Newsday Zimbabwe

The festival opens its doors Tuesday next week at Westgate Movies, with two captivating Chinese films, Panda Plan and You Only Live Once, competing for attention.

HARARE, Aug.1, 2025 (NewsDayLive) -An electrical ambience is hanging in the horizon as film-loving Zimbabweans brace for a vibrant cinematic experience at the China Film Festival in Harare.

The festival opens its doors Tuesday next week at Westgate Movies, with two captivating Chinese films, Panda Plan and You Only Live Once, competing for attention.

This celebration of film is jointly organized by the Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the Cinema Society of Zimbabwe, and the China Film Art Research Centre, as part of the two countries’ cultural exchange programme.

 Through this collaboration, the event aims to build cultural bridges while showcasing the dynamic creativity of Chinese cinema.

Panda Plan, released on October 17, 2024, is a light-hearted action-comedy that blends Jackie Chan’s signature martial arts with conservation-themed humour. The film follows Chan as a retired Kung Fu master who was specifically roped in to protect China’s national treasure, the giant pandas from a group of international smugglers.

With the help of an unlikely team, including a tech-savvy teenager and a mischievous baby panda, Chan battles the odds with kicks, tricks, and plenty of laughter.

The bilingual film, presented in both English and Chinese, runs for an engaging 90 minutes and delivers a powerful message about environmental responsibility, all wrapped in thrilling stunts and heart-warming moments.

In contrast, You Only Live Once (Live a Hot-Blooded Life), released on February 10, 2024, delves into a more emotional and thought-provoking narrative.

Starring Jia Ling, Lei Jiayin, Zhang Xiaofei, Yang Zi, and Sha Yi, the film explores themes of self-discovery, sacrifice, and second chances. It tells the story of a woman facing a life-altering diagnosis who decides to embark on an unpredictable road trip, dragging her reluctant brother and a group of eccentric companions along for the ride.

What begins as a desperate escape morphs into a heartfelt journey filled with laughter, conflict, and healing.

With powerful performances and a resonant message about embracing life with courage and passion, the film leaves a lasting impression.

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