A unique documentary film produced by the family of Charlie Chaplin opened the film screening segment of the second Macao International Comedy Festival, currently taking place in China's special administrative region.

Dolores Chaplin (third from left) alongside organizers and guests at the opening of the film screening segment of the second Macao International Comedy Festival, Macao, April 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]

"Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp," directed by Carmen Chaplin, a granddaughter of the legendary comedian, actor, director and producer, is not a conventional biopic and features deep involvement from the Chaplins. Several members of the family either appear on camera to share their insights and memories or contribute behind the scenes as producers.

In the film, Chaplin's family embarks on a revealing journey into the Romani heritage that inspired the creation of Charlie Chaplin's iconic and beloved character of the Tramp. Featuring intimate interviews and unprecedented access to the Chaplin estate, the documentary offers a profound exploration of Chaplin's roots, woven together through film excerpts, home movies, archival footage and contributions from renowned contemporary Romani artists.

Dolores Chaplin, another granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin, served as a producer on the film and attended the comedy festival to present it to Chinese viewers on Thursday, also participating in a post-screening discussion.

"I think that this documentary is a great way to introduce my grandfather's works to the younger generation who maybe don't know his movies that well," Dolores said. "Every time we've shown it to children or the younger generation or young adults or people who don't know my grandfather, they wanted to see his movies. It's like rediscovering his movies through the documentary, through the man, through his passion and through the family side, but also with the clips."

As a comedy icon, Charlie Chaplin's films have influenced generations. His movies are able to transcend language and travel across cultures like music. "For an actor, it's difficult to be known worldwide, but for a musician, it's easier because music travels. Yet as an actor in silent films, he was known everywhere — from Iceland to China to Spain. It's nice to keep that alive."

While opening a film segment meant to be filled with laughter, "Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp" instead offers an emotional retrospective. Yet Dolores stressed that its messages remain vital.

"I feel that humor is a great way to convey any kind of message — it could be political, it could be emotional and it could be anything really. If you pass it through humor, people will relate to it easier or sometimes we'll maybe look at it and understand it better. Humor must never be one thing, it has many coats," she added. 

"Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp" will also be shown at the upcoming 15th Beijing International Film Festival, set to open on April 18.

The comedy festival's film program, which is running from April 10-13, will feature classic comedies such as "Crazy Rich Asians," the "Detective Chinatown" series, "Johnny Keep Walking!" and "Lost in Thailand," alongside the premiere of Takeshi Kitano's new film "Broken Rage." The film event will also feature post-screening panels and masterclasses, offering both movie enthusiasts and industry professionals the opportunity to discuss comedy creation.

The second Macao International Comedy Festival kicked off in Hengqin, a district of Zhuhai city in Guangdong province neighboring Macao, on Wednesday. Running through Sunday across the two regions, it will gather top comedians like Shen Teng and Ma Li, international filmmakers including Takeshi Kitano and Aamir Khan, and include film screenings, stage performances, industry forums, pitch sessions and a gala night at venues in both locations.

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