During the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Rolex hosted a captivating event titled “Play the Part” featuring a dynamic conversation between renowned Chinese director Jia Zhang-Ke and his protégé, emerging Filipino filmmaker Rafael Manuel. This special dialogue marks the culmination of their two-year collaboration through the Rolex Mentoring Programme.

Founded in 2002, the Rolex Mentoring Programme pairs emerging talents with renowned artists across various fields to foster creative collaboration and preserve cultural heritage. In film, this initiative has matched nine young filmmakers with industry legends like Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee. The program aims to pass on artistic knowledge and support the next generation of creators. Through these one-on-one relationships, Rolex enhances its commitment to advancing the arts globally.

The discussion, moderated by TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey, offered a deep dive into the creative synergy between Jia and Manuel. It explored their shared experiences in documenting social and political changes in their respective countries and delved into the collaborative nature of filmmaking.

Manuel, who had the opportunity to work closely with Jia on the latter’s latest film, Caught by the Tides—which premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, described the mentorship as life-changing. “It’s important to learn from a master because you’re also learning from all the people he works with. This has been about the connectivity of one generation to another. It has been a life-changing experience in the best way possible,” said Manuel.

Jia, known for his influential role in the post-1990 Chinese cinema wave, praised Manuel’s development. He emphasized the significance of passing knowledge to younger generations, stating “Cinema needs to develop, it needs to move forward and maintain its vitality so that films can constantly present the changes in the world and the problems we are facing. This cannot be done by just one generation of directors. If we want the practice to continue, we must pass the torch to the younger generation.”. 

The event highlighted Rolex’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and underscored the essential role of mentorship in the evolution of cinematic arts. As both directors continue their respective journeys, their collaborative experience serves as a testament to the powerful impact of intergenerational exchange in the film industry.