French producer zooms in on cultural heritage

How did craftsmen over 2,000 years ago create the unique "Chinese purple" color on Terracotta Warriors? Can a one-euro coin stand upright on a high-speed train traveling at full speed? How are giant pandas trained to adapt to life in the wild?

Two years ago, French producer and TV host Olivier Chiabodo came to China with his team to uncover the answers to these questions. They produced Amazing China, a high-definition documentary that unveils the nation's rich culture, natural beauty and advanced technology.

Impressed by China's cultural sites, Chiabodo produced another documentary Beijing-Paris, Urban Dialogue at a Crossroads last year to unveil the beauty of Beijing's Central Axis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and to explore the protection and use of city axes like those in Beijing and Paris. It will be released on the video streaming platform Tencent Video later this year.

"I have been interested in China for years because it has many world heritage sites. I see people here taking good care of their cultural and natural sites. I hope people across the world can see this and do the same with their own culture," says the producer, 63, CEO of The Explorers, a company that uses high-definition imaging technology to showcase the planet's riches.

His team used 8K filming technology, one of the highest resolutions available in digital cinematography, in both documentaries to offer the audience a more immersive experience.

In the documentary focusing on Beijing's Central Axis, they used artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies and even created a digital avatar of Chiabodo. These efforts are seen as innovative ways to attract a wider audience, especially young people, sparking their interest in cultural heritage.

The documentary on Beijing's Central Axis was a collaborative effort with Beijing Keying Media. Cui Ying, general manager of the company, says she felt Chiabodo's friendliness toward China and his enthusiasm for Chinese culture during their collaboration. "He has rich experience and outstanding insight into new technologies in the broadcasting industry, especially ultrahigh-definition technology," Cui says, adding that they will continue working together and spreading Chinese culture.