International
China and New Zealand filmmakers inch closer to co-productions
MUMBAI: Filmmakers from New Zealand and those from China have agreed to host more Chinese film productions in Auckland. This step is seen as a potential step toward a film co-productions treaty between the two countries.
The agreement struck last Sunday comes alongside a New Zealand Film Festival in China where it will coincide with the Shanghai International Film Festival that will be on from 12 to 20 June.
Said Film Auckland Executive Manager Michael Brook in a statement, “This is an extremely heartening move that will ensure greater communications, co-operation and co-productions between the Chinese and New Zealand film industries.”
The MOU and the Kiwi festival, combined with visits to the SIFF and the ongoing Shanghai World Expo 2010 will pave the way for future co-productions between the two countries, Brook said.
The MOU comes as the result of three years of work by Film Auckland and members of the Asia Pacific Producer‘s Network, a group of 80 senior producers from around the Asia-Pacific region who meet annually to promote cooperation and co-productions, the statement said.
The Kiwis‘ Chinese partner in the memorandum of understanding, the China Film Association, is a non-governmental professional body with a membership of 6,000 that advocates for China‘s growing film industry. Box-office in China jumped 43 per cent in 2009 to $909 million.
“Film Auckland has been working behind the scenes to ensure that a co-production treaty with China will happen soon. This will support several projects that New Zealand producers are developing,” the statement said.
International
Russia-India cinematic spectacle Persimmon of My Love set for grand Moscow debut
Hindi cinema style musical revives Indo-Soviet cinema ties for today
MUMBAI: A new chapter in cross-border storytelling is set to unfold as Persimmon of My Love gears up for its premiere in Moscow on 1 April 2026, marking the first large-scale cinematic collaboration between Russia and India in decades.
Positioned as a modern nod to the cultural exchange that once brought Indian classics to Soviet audiences, the film blends Hindi cinema flair with Russian storytelling, aiming to rekindle a long-standing cinematic friendship.
Directed by Marius Weisberg, the musical comedy follows two brothers navigating a lively world of music, family and romance. The lead roles are played by Demis Karibidis and Mikhail Galustyan, with Karibidis also contributing as a screenwriter.
Shot entirely in India, the production leans heavily into Hindi cinema style spectacle. Filming took place across Mumbai studios and the cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur, whose architecture was used to create the fictional setting of Khurmada. A crew of over 350 worked on the project, with large-scale sequences featuring up to 1,000 extras.
The film also brings Indian creative talent into the mix. Dance sequences are choreographed by Jay Kumar, while music by Zurab Matua features songs in both Hindi and Russian, adding to its cross-cultural appeal.
Backed by TNT channel, MyWayStudio and the Russian Cinema Fund, the project reflects a broader push to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
With its mix of colour, comedy and cross-border collaboration, Persimmon of My Love is not just a film release but a reminder that cinema, much like music, travels well across borders.
