A stirring historical war movie opened the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival, an event that is growing in international profile as the Chinese biz continues to thrive.
Fest, which runs until June 13 to 21, opened with He Ping’s historical action drama “Wheat,” He’s first film since “Warriors of Heaven and Earth” in 2003. The story is set during the Warring States Period in ancient China, an era that is proving rich pickings for Chinese film makers in recent years.
The $6 million movie was produced by Xi’an Film Studio, Beijing Polybona and Beijing Classic Culture.
Shanghai’s fest has long been seen as a provincial affair, but the growing muscle of the Chinese film biz, combined with stark increases in B.O. in the world’s most populous nation, means this year’s event is much more closely watched than ever.
The jury is headed by “Slumdog Millionaire” director Danny Boyle.
“Being involved in SIFF 2009 fulfils a lifetime’s ambition to spend time in Shanghai, one of the world’s greatest cities. Chinese cinema began here and the festival is the perfect way of celebrating that creative energy each year. In the same spirit I’d like to welcome everyone to what we all hope will be a truly excellent festival.
Most of the market section of the fest is taking take place in the Shanghai Exhibition centre, a much larger venue than in previous years, a reflection of how the booming Chinese biz is bucking the global slowdown.
Event features a film market and two sections for working filmmakers hoping to attract producers and investors, including China Film Pitch and Catch (CFPC), which aims to bring together Chinese filmmakers and global producers and distributors.
Fest features several themes this year. Ten movies by master helmer Alfred Hitchcock will make their China bows, as well as six films by France’s Isabelle Huppert.
SIFF will also feature the work of Korean director Im Kwon-taek, and there is a real arthouse element with pics by French New Wave auteurs Francois Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard to mark the 50-year anniversary of the movement.
At the heart of the fest is the Jin Jue (Golden Goblet) award, which features 16 films, including Yao Shuhua’s joint mainland China/Hong Kong/Taiwan co-production “Empire of Silver,” with Hong Kong star Aaron Kwok, and Tibetan helmer Wanma Caidan’s “Soul Searching.”
Other titles competing include André Téchiné’s latest outing, “The Girl On The Train,” The fest will also feature an Asian New Talent event, with nine entries from India, Iran, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore and China.
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