Modern Chinese film wins young hearts in Zimbabwe

HARARE — Laughter and applause filled a packed cinema in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, on Aug 1 as the Chinese comedy-drama One and Only lit up the screen.

A highlight of the Asian Cultural Festival 2026, held from July 31 to Aug 1, the youth-focused film combines sports and street dance, striking a chord with the festival's largely young audience.

Co-hosted by the Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe, six other Asian embassies and Diplomatic Media, the festival used cinema to showcase Asian cultures and strengthen cross-cultural ties.

Before the lights dimmed for the screening, visitors explored traditional Chinese culture through hands-on activities, trying Chinese calligraphy and learning to use chopsticks.

As 2026 marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, immersive events like these are giving Zimbabwean audiences a vivid glimpse of contemporary Chinese life while deepening the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

Speaking at the festival on July 31, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding highlighted the universal appeal of cinematic exchange, noting that core Asian values such as family, community, resilience, and mutual respect align closely with Zimbabwe's Ubuntu philosophy.

"We share the belief that a person is a person through other people," the ambassador said, adding that true strength comes from togetherness.

Luckson Murumbi, a film enthusiast from Harare, said Chinese films offer valuable insights into the country's traditions, social values and technological progress.

"You can see the transformation of China, from the traditional martial arts films we watched as children to modern productions. You can truly see the progress of China's development," Murumbi said.

For local students, films have also become an engaging way to improve their language skills while gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese society.

"Film is a vivid reflection of society, and watching Chinese films is a great way of immersing myself in the language, the culture, and the traditions," said Rumbidzai Msimanga, a Chinese language learner from Harare.

She added that the rise of streaming platforms now allows her to easily access a wider array of Chinese movies and television series on her mobile devices.

Speaking at the festival, Mqabuko Dube, director for Africa, Asia and the Pacific at the Zimbabwean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, underscored the importance of such cultural initiatives in strengthening international partnerships.

"By promoting cultural exchange, tourism, education and investment, we continue to deepen the long-standing friendship between Zimbabwe and our Asian partners while creating opportunities that contribute to national development and people-to-people connections," Dube said.

XINHUA