Alfred Hitchcock, Chantal Akerman, Jiri Menzel Movies Set for Beijing Film Festival

by

During the 15th edition of the Beijing International Film Festival, the late filmmakers Alfred Hitchcock, known as the “Master of Suspense,” and Jiří Menzel, who won the foreign-language film Oscar for “Closely Watched Trains” in 1966, will receive recognition on screen.

At the gaming convention’s “Homage-Restoration” segment, I’ll be treated to some timeless cinematic adventures! On the list is the iconic spy thriller, North by Northwest, featuring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason. Plus, I can’t wait to watch Chantal Akerman’s masterpiece, Meetings With Anna, starring Aurore Clément and Jean-Pierre Cassel, in stunning 4K restorations! These classics are going to be a real treat for the eyes.

Anna’s character revolves around a filmmaker who, for emotional reasons, is wandering through the heart of Western Europe. She encounters various individuals – strangers, friends, past lovers, and relatives – during her journey, as she promotes her latest movie. Conversely, North by Northwest unfolds as a narrative about false identity, where a man finds himself chased by secret agents from a shadowy organization.

This year’s “Homage” section at the Beijing festival will highlight films from countries often referred to as the ‘Global South.’ Rare classics like “The Sealed Soil” from Iran and “Sambizanga” from Africa will be screened. In “The Sealed Soil,” directed by Marva Nabili, a young woman defies societal norms when she refuses to marry by spurning all potential suitors. The film “Sambizanga,” directed by Sarah Maldoror, takes place in 1961 during the early stages of Angola’s War of Independence and chronicles the trials faced by members of an anti-colonial movement.

Furthermore, the Beijing Film Festival has created a special themed program, titled “In Memory of Andrei Tarkovsky,” as a tribute to this renowned filmmaker. Born in the Soviet Union, Tarkovsky was a Russian director and screenwriter who delved into spiritual and metaphysical themes in his films. His works are characterized by extended shots and slow-moving scenes.

Previously, it was announced that the Beijing film festival will feature a special focus on several notable figures and movements in cinema. These include Robert Altman, a legendary Hollywood director known for films like “Gosford Park” and “M*A*S*H”, Sam Peckinpah, a renowned action director, and the Danish avant-garde movement called Dogme 95. This movement was pioneered by directors Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg, who have produced films such as “Another Round”.

The 15th edition of the Beijing festival takes place in the Chinese capital April 18-26.

Chinese filmmaker Jiang Wen, known for “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and “Let the Bullets Fly”, will lead the main jury at an upcoming festival, presenting the Tiantan Award. Joining him on the jury are a diverse group of talented individuals including Chinese-American actress and director Joan Chen from “The Last Emperor”, British director David Yates of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, Chinese actress Ni Ni, Finnish director Teemu Nikki, Swiss actor-director Vincent Perez, and Hong Kong-based art director Tim Yip.

Read More

2025-04-04 10:24