The Sixth Lancang-Mekong International Film Week Opens a Bridge for Cultural Exchange and Mutual Learning

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 20, 2024--

The 6th Lancang-Mekong International Film Week kicked off on December 17 in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, bringing the local audience a five-day cinematic journey.

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Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Phoeung Sakona, emphasized that this event serves as a platform to promote cultural dialogue and close cooperation among the countries in the Lancang-Mekong subregion.

During the film week, 20 films from Lancang-Mekong countries will be screened, showcasing a rich variety of themes and genres, including comedy, action, romance, and science fiction.

Among them is Rooftop Soccer, which won the Best Children's Film award at the 37th Golden Rooster Awards in China. The film presents audiences with the unique charm of ancient villages and ethnic customs in Yunnan.

The only animated feature of the event, I Am What I Am, introduces viewers to the traditional Chinese lion dance culture and the customs of Lingnan through its exquisite visuals and inspiring storyline.

The Cambodian film When Mom Gets Old focuses on the lives of elderly women and highlights intergenerational conflicts, provoking thoughtful reflections.

Thailand’s Grandma’s Grandchild, which portrays the subtle emotional dynamics within a traditional three-generation Thai-Chinese family, broke multiple box office records upon release.

Through these films, audiences can travel, reflect, and feel, experiencing the stunning landscapes, rich cultures, and emotional resonance of the six Lancang-Mekong countries.

In addition, various activities such as cultural tours, discussions, and project promotions further enrich the cultural significance of the film week and enhance its brand influence.

Zhai Yulong, Director of China’s Yunnan Provincial Film Bureau, expressed hope that this event will foster further exchange of films, strengthen communication among filmmakers, and deepen connectivity in the film industry, promoting the prosperity and development of the film sector across the Lancang-Mekong countries.

Mr. CHEN Cong, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Cambodia, remarked that the Lancang-Mekong International Film Week effectively promotes in-depth exchanges, cooperation, and development within the film industries of the region, while enhancing mutual understanding and friendship among the peoples of these nations.

With the Sixth Lancang-Mekong International Film Week underway, a beautiful chapter of cultural integration and mutual understanding is being vividly written, showcasing that civilization is enriched through exchange and grows through mutual learning.

The 6th Lancang-Mekong International Film Week kicked off in Phnom Penh on December 17. (photo by Li Tao)

CHICAGO (AP) — Sammy Sosa appeared to acknowledge using performance-enhancing drugs during a career in which he hit more than 600 home runs, and the Chicago Cubs said they were ready to welcome back their former star.

In a statement released Thursday through Aurora Global Consulting, Sosa said he was sorry for mistakes without specifying them.

“There were times I did whatever I could to recover from injuries in an effort to keep my strength up to perform over 162 games,” he said. “I never broke any laws. But in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize.”

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said the team is “ready to move forward together” with Sosa and plans to invite him to the annual fan convention Jan. 17-19 in Chicago.

“We appreciate Sammy releasing his statement and for reaching out,” Ricketts said. “No one played harder or wanted to win more. Nobody’s perfect but we never doubted his passion for the game and the Cubs. It is an understatement to say that Sammy is a fan favorite.”

Sosa, the franchise’s record holder with 545 home runs, was traded to Baltimore after he showed up late for the 2004 finale at Wrigley Field and left early.

Sosa, Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, all tainted by allegations of performance-enhancing drugs use, fell well short of Hall of Fame election in 2022 on their 10th and final appearance on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot.

Sosa received a high of 18.5% support in his final appearance, less than a quarter of the 75% needed. His next chance for consideration would be if he is placed on the ballot for the contemporary player committee, which meets next December.

Now 56, Sosa was a seven-time All-Star and the 1998 NL MVP for the Cubs. He hit .273 with 609 home runs — currently ninth on the career list — with 1,667 RBIs and 234 stolen bases in 18 major league seasons from 1989 to 2007 with Texas (1989, 2007), the Chicago White Sox (1989-91), the Cubs (1992-04) and Baltimore (2005).

During congressional testimony in 2005, Sosa denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

“We accomplished great things as a team, and I worked extremely hard in the batting cage to become a great hitter,” Sosa said in his statement. “Cubs' fans are the best in the world, and I hope that fans, the Cubs and I can all come together again and move forward. We can't change the past, but the future is bright. In my heart, I have always been a Cub, and I can't wait to see Cubs fans again.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

FILE - Texas Rangers' Sammy Sosa singles against the Seattle Mariners in the fourth inning at a baseball game, Thursday, May 31, 2007, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

FILE - Texas Rangers' Sammy Sosa reacts to striking out against Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie in the third inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, July 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

FILE - Chicago Cubs' Sammy Sosa connects for a three-run home run in the third ining against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, July 11, 2004 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam, File)