THE students and staff of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Honiara Campus were given the honour of viewing one of the latest Chinese Sci-Fi movies titled ‘The Wandering Earth 2’.
This fascinating movie was released on 22 January 2024.
The movie was screened at the USP Campus last Thursday during a Chinese Film Festival programme hosted by the Chinese Embassy.
The Chinese Ambassador Cai Weiming, in his remarks before the show, said ‘The Wandering Earth 2’ is a sci-fi movie and a prequel to the breathtaking sci-fi spectacle ‘The Wandering Earth 1’.
Ambassador Cai said this film has surpassed 14.3 Billion RMB (Chinese currency) at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing animated film worldwide.
He said this film takes us on an epic journey set in the very near future, where humanity faces an existential crisis from the dying and rapidly expanding sun, which threatens to engulf the earth.
“To survive, humanity unites to launch an ambitious plan installing 10,000 planetary engines to propel the earth from the solar system on the 25th century to a new star system. This mission impossible is called the Wandering earth project,” Ambassador Cai said.
The Chinese envoy said sometimes weapons of destruction could be mobilised in a way that contributes to human survival and sometimes personal sacrifices are unavoidable for the collective human cause.
“More importantly, the film asks the question, when faced with darkness, do we succumb to division and scuffle, or do we choose to unite and light a collective torch for our future generations? Ladies and gentlemen, ancient Chinese wisdom tells us that humanity is a whole and earth is our one and only home.
“In the face of common challenges, no one and no nation will be able to stand alone. The only way out is to work together and live in peace and harmony,” Ambassador Cai said.
Moreover, Ambassador Cai said just like what was stated in the film, the fate of civilisation depends on the choice humans make.
“So may this film festival provoke thoughts, spark dialogue, deepen understanding and enhance friendship,” he added.
The Chinese ambassador said this is why the Chinese President Xi Jinping advocates for building a community of shared future for humankind and proposed the Belt &Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI).
He said China adopts an independent foreign policy of peace and adheres to the five principles of peaceful co-existence in international relations.
“China will continue to be a firm force for peace in a world of turbulence and conflicts, a firm force for unity in the face of division and confrontation, a firm force for openness in the face of decoupling and severing supply chains, a firm force for justice in the face of the countercurrents of unilateralism and bullying, a firm force for inclusiveness in the face of ideological differences.
“China will work with partners, especially the Global South, including SI, to promote the just cause for a more peaceful, prosperous, equitable and harmonious world,” the Chinese envoy elaborated.
The Director of Culture in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), Dennis Marita said such an initiative will no doubt enrich the learning experience of the students.
“Today we’re here to celebrate the magic of film, a medium that has the power to transport us to different worlds, evoke emotions and inspire new ideas.”
He said while the Solomon Islands film industry is still in its early stages and is not yet fully captured in government plans, events like this festival offer young people a glimpse into a world of endless possibilities and opportunities.
Mr Marita said the Chinese Film festival maybe the beginning of a collaboration for the production of Solomon Islands feature films.
“Not Short films, but feature films. Perhaps this is an area where the Solomon Islands government and the Chinese government through the Chinese Embassy, can explore future collaborations or cooperations.
“With the right support, investment, and training opportunities, we can develop and enhance our local film industry, ensuring Solomon Islanders have skills and resources to tell their own stories in ways that resonate both locally and internationally. I always regard Solomon Islands as one of the unexplored parts of the planet.”
Mr Marita said as a ministry responsible for culture and arts, MCT recognises the potential of film as an avenue for cultural preservation and economic growth.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
