With great excitement, the 14th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) opened on April 18, embracing the theme of "Enlightened by Films, United as One". Spanning from April 18 to 26, this edition of the BJIFF features over a hundred diverse and amazing events & activities.

As the prestige exclusive partner representing the insurance industry for the 14th BJIFF, Ping An stands in sync with the festival's theme and, on the evening of April 19, jointly initiated the "Ping An & Real Images" Program alongside the BJIFF. With a focus on the power of visual storytelling, this program aspires to capture the intricacies of everyday life. By shining a light on ordinary individuals, usual stories, and moments that stir the soul, it unveils the profound meaning behind Ping An's commitment to national welfare and public service. Through enhancing public consciousness and spreading positive social energy, the program aims to spread positive energy in society as a whole.

The launching ceremony witnessed the presence of Shang Jingguo, Secretary-General of the Insurance Association of China, Zhou Quan, Deputy Director of DocuLife-SMG and Chief Director of the documentary Life Matters, Chen Yao, General Manager of the Brand Communications Department at Ping An, Chen Yangyang, Deputy General Manager of the Brand Department at Ping An, Wang Hailin, an acclaimed screenwriter from the Chinese mainland, and Zhang Shuo, Director of the Brand Development Department at the BJIFF Organizing Committee. Together, they participated in a roundtable discussion based on the theme "The Power of Authenticity—Exploring Values through Life's Details". As the event drew to a close, the Wishing You Peace documentary series made its public premiere for the first time.

In his opening remarks, Chen Yao underscored that insurance is not merely about a policy of insurance; rather, it should be a financial service with love. "Throughout our journey, Ping An has consistently strived to write the 'Five Major Chapters' in finance daily and presented satisfactory outcomes to the nation, society at large, and our valued clients. By capturing these authentic business scenarios on film, we aim to not only tell China's stories well but also showcase the progress and development of Chinese society. In truth, such a film is a portrayal of our individual stories as we diligently serve our clients with a sense of responsibility and emotional connection," mentioned he.

▌The use of "visual storytelling" to depict the realm of "finance", breaking away from traditional industry narration

It has been reported that the "Ping An & Real Images" Program is an unprecedented social collaborative endeavor within the insurance industry, utilizing image as a medium to meticulously capture and share real-life instances of "finance for the people".

Setting itself apart from conventional insurance-themed documentary films, this program places a significant emphasis on inspiring creators to engage in timely filming from the very moment events unfold, thereby preserving the genuineness and integrity of the stories. The topics chosen for this program encompass a wide spectrum, including real-life instances, sudden incidents, and everyday work that holds commemorative significance. Through a multi-faceted approach, the aim is to vividly depict the actual actions of insurance practitioners and their interactions with clients.

At the roundtable forum, insightful discussions centered around the core topic of "The Power of authenticity" took place between the attending officials and panelists. Zhou Quan drew on his team's immensely popular documentaries such as Life Matters and The Firsts in Life to present his views on the notion of "authenticity" in documentary filmmaking. He emphasized, "We must strictly adhere to the chronological timeline of events... It has to unfold in the real world and follow the actual sequence of time. Often, the constraints imposed by an organic creative process actually amplify the genuine impact within the work. Each individual is an integral part of life and should possess an inherent perception of life's intricate nuances."

Through real service cases of financial brands, Chen Yao further expounded on the interpretation of "authenticity". These cases span from the fields and forests of agricultural insurance, to emergency assistance during the devastating rainstorms in Henan, and extend even to the contracting project at the Diamer-Bhasha Dam in Pakistan... "These scenes are rarely seen in everyday life. Ping An employees are not just shuttling in suits within the CBD; there are many who face challenges head-on in real life. Through this program, we bring who they are to the screen, helping everyone understand what this group of remarkable individuals is doing. In essence, it's also about telling the story of the entire industry and showcasing every story of the Chinese people," said he.

Zhang Shuo expressed the initial intention and significance of the collaboration of the BJIFF with Ping An, and articulated concrete expectations for the "Ping An & Real Images" Program, "I believe this is not merely a documentary but also the finest artistic expression of real life and authentic stories. We also look forward to deepening our collaboration with Ping An in the future, leveraging the resource advantages of both parties."

▌Conveying the power of authenticity through professionalism and care

A special premiere session was featured at the event, marking the inaugural screening of the Wishing You Peace documentary series. This collection of documentaries serves as a significant component of the "Ping An & Real Images"Program. The production team traveled to various locations including Nagqu in Tibet, Zhuozhou in Hebei, Beichuan in Sichuan, and Suzhou in Jiangsu, capturing genuine footage of four Ping An protagonists working on the ground. The documentary authentically records their professional decision-making and sincere concern in the face of diverse challenges and pressures, such as natural disasters, remote pastoral areas, and lonely elderly individuals.

Reflecting on his personal experience during the production of the documentary Wishing You Peace, chief director Zhou Quan shared his perspective, remarking, "When people think of insurance professionals, the common perception is of individuals dressed in suits, catering to high-net-worth individuals regularly. However, through this documentary, I made a fascinating discovery: in one of the filming locations, Biru County in Nagqu, Tibet, situated at an elevation of almost 5,000 meters, a place that remains unfamiliar to over 90% of the Chinese population, there is a national top-tier insurance company providing services for yaks."

Breaking down stereotypes associated with a profession by presenting "real" details is a commonly employed strategy in documentary filmmaking. It is an essential element that strikes a chord with the audience. Wang Hailin, a celebrated screenwriter, producer, and film critic from the Chinese mainland, shared his perspective, asserting, "The paramount aspect of creating a film is to capture authentic emotions and portray the true essence of life. The more accurately a film captures these elements, the greater its success. Whether it falls into the genre of documentary or feature film, its ultimate purpose is to come back to conveying the storyteller's emotions."

During his speech, Chen Yao emphasized, "The stories of Ping An are intricately linked to every family and every individual. A client base of 230 million cannot be undermined. The real stories showcased in the documentary merely scratch the surface." Zhou Quan also acknowledged his regret that due to the limited runtime of the film, not all the areas where Ping An has made a meaningful impact could be explored. He affirmed, "I have confidence that in the future, this program will contain more 'real' content, as it remains the defining characteristic of Ping An." This program aims to go beyond inviting employees from insurance companies to engage in creative endeavors. It also strives to encourage broader participation from the general public in the everyday process of film production. Through the powerful medium of visuals, its goal is to capture life and convey the power of authenticity within.

It is noteworthy that the BJIFF, recognized as one of the most influential international film festivals, boasts the country's finest industry resources and a professional production system. It has been reported that the current edition of the BJIFF will place greater emphasis on international, professional, and popular standards in its featured events. Ping An, one of the leading insurance companies in China, shares the same unwavering dedication to professionalism as the BJIFF. Through its financial services that embody the principle of "professionalism creates value", Ping An contributes to the social harmony and progress. As part of its partnership with the BJIFF, Ping An unveiled the "Ping An & Real Images" Program during this convening of the BJIFF. This program not only demonstrates its commitment to supporting cultural endeavors but also signifies its endeavor to seek innovative collaborations and contribute to social value within the professional arena. Throughout the course of this program, the professional strengths of Ping An and the BJIFF will be fully combined and leveraged.

Moving forward, both parties will continue to foster a "professionals connecting professionals" approach, enrich the content of the "Ping An & Real Images" Program, and create innovative ways real stories are disseminated to jointly promote the prosperous development of society and culture, contributing further to the construction of a harmonious and promising new era.