ECI is a global talent management firm that works between Beijing, Paris, and Los Angeles. We spoke with talent agent Wu Jing and the company’s CEO Vincent Fischer about making connections between the film world’s leading cities.
WHITEWALL: ECI has outposts in Paris, Los Angeles, and Beijing. Do you see these as the leading film markets internationally? How do the cities compare?
WU JING: ECI is a global talent management firm, developing Chinese and French talents in China, America, and France; and very much involved on co-production projects between the three countries.
WHITEWALL（以下简称“WW”）ECI在巴黎、洛杉矶和北京各有分部。您是否将这三个城市看作国际领先的电影市场？它们之间有什么不同的地方？
吴靖（以下简称“吴”）：ECI是一个全球性的经纪人公司，致力于帮助中国和法国的人才在中国、好莱坞及法国发展，曾参与众多三国共同制作的项目。
WW: Would you say that the Beijing film market is one of the fasting growing markets today? If so, why?
WJ: Yes. The economics of China is growing so fast these years. We built many new cinemas each year. And watching film becomes more and more popular for the young people.
WW：您是否认为北京电影市场是近年来成长最快的电影市场之一？为什么？
吴：是的。中国近年来经济增长迅速，每年都有许多新影院建成。年轻人越来越爱去电影院看电影。
WW: For the third BJIFF, what will ECI’s involvement be?
VINCENT FISCHER: ECI is hosting a great party at Intercontinental Hotel right after the closing ceremony on April 23, with the best champagne, one of China’s greatest fusion food chefs, an amazing Chinese DJ, in a décor set by a famous Chinese designer. Make sure to be there.
WW: ECI会以何种形式参与第三届北京国际电影节？
Vincent Fischer（以下简称“VF”）：ECI将在4月23日闭幕式之后在洲际酒店举办一场大型派对，我们准备了最好的香槟，请来了一流的新式中餐大厨，绝佳的中国DJ，现场布置也由中国著名设计师操刀。绝对不能错过。
WW: How have you seen the Beijing market grow since the inception of the film festival in 2011?
WJ: BJIFF is very young . BUT it becomes more and more important. More and more domestic and overseas film companies want to participate.
WW：2011年第一届电影节以来，您怎么看待北京市场的成长？
吴：北京国际电影节还相当年轻，但越来越重要。国内外众多电影公司都想来参与其中分一杯羹。
WW: How would you describe the Beijing film scene? How do you see it changing?
WJ: As competitive, dynamic. and growing, looking forward to working more internationally.
WW：您如何描述北京电影圈当下的情况？您觉得之后会向什么方向发展？
吴：活力、成长与竞争力兼备，期待更多国际合作。
WW: What do you see as one of the biggest goals or concerns for the
Beijing film scene for the future?
WJ: Attracting European actors, directors, and post-production experts.
WW：您觉得北京电影圈的最大目标或面临的最大问题是什么？
吴：吸引欧洲演员、导演和专业制作团队。
WW: How would you describe the role of ECI in Beijing?
WJ: Helping our clients to develop the Chinese market and building an efficient bridge from China to other countries.
WW：您如何形容ECI在北京的角色？
吴：协助我们的客户发展中国市场，并为他们有效建立起连接中国和其他国家的桥梁。
WW: What are you looking forward to at this year’s BJIFF?
VF: Meeting as many European producers as possible.
WW：您对今年的北京国际电影节有什么期待？
VF：尽可能多地与欧洲制作人见面。
WW: What do you think the BJIFF needs to become one of the major players on the international film circuit – like Cannes or the Berlin Film Festival?
VF: Attracting the best European post-producers.
WW：您认为北京国际电影节若想要成长为与戛纳电影节和柏林电影节齐名的重量级电影节，应该要怎么做？
VF：吸引最好的欧洲后期制作人。
WW: Are there any films or performances that you’re looking forward to seeing at this year’s BJIFF?
WJ: Our client, the film director Philippe Muyl is now finalizing the post-production of his movie Le Promeneur D’Oiseau, the first ever Chinese-French official co-production. I can’t wait to watch that movie.
WW：今年北京国际电影节有什么您特别期待的电影或表演吗？
吴：我们代理的电影导演Phillipe Muyl最新的电影LE PROMENEUR D’OISEAU（《行走的鸟》）正在进行最后的后期制作。这是第一部中法正式联合制作的电影。我非常期待。
