Beijing Film Fest Unveils Competition Lineup, Jiang Wen to Lead Jury Including Joan Chen, David Yates

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Renowned Chinese actor-director Jiang Wen, known for films such as “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and “Let the Bullets Fly”, has been appointed as the head of the main jury at the upcoming 15th Beijing International Film Festival. This festival will present its Tiantan Award to the winners.

This jury consists of a diverse group of individuals: Joan Chen, a Chinese American director and actress famously known for her role in “The Last Emperor,” David Yates, a British director recognized for his work on “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” Ni Ni, a renowned Chinese actor, Teemu Nikki, a Finnish director, Vincent Perez, a Swiss director and actor, and Tim Yip, an art director from Hong Kong. They will be choosing winners in ten different categories such as best feature film, best direction, and best screenplay.

As a gamer enthusiastically diving into the world of cinematic experiences, I’m thrilled to share that this year’s festival has revealed its fifteen main competition movies! The organizers shared that an astounding number of 1,794 feature film submissions were received from 103 different countries and regions. This is a whopping 19% increase compared to last year, making it the most diverse lineup yet!

Three Chinese films competing for the main award are “Better Me, Better You” directed by Hao Ming and Li Peiran, “Deep in the Mountains” from Li Yongyi, and “Trapped” by Zhang Qi.

In addition, the following films are slated for the competition: Emine Yildirim’s “Apollon by Day Athena by Night” (Turkey), Sora Hokimoto’s “BAUS: The Ship’s Voyage Continues” (Japan), Maria Brendle’s “Frieda’s Case” (Switzerland), Tim Ellrich’s “In My Parents’ House” (Germany), Lilja Ingolfsdottir’s “Loveable” (Norway), Tobias Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine, and Vallentine Chelluget’s “Nawi: Dear Future Me” (Kenya/Germany), Sophie Deraspe’s “Shepherds” (Canada/France), Andrea Segre’s “The Great Ambition” (Italy/Belgium/Bulgaria), Ivan Fund’s “The Message” (Argentina/Spain/Uruguay), Charlie McDowell’s “The Summer Book” (Finland/United Kingdom/United States), Noëlle Bastin and Baptiste Bogaert’s “Vitrival – The Most Beautiful Village in the World” (Belgium), and Hadi Mohaghegh’s “Vortex” (Iran/Czech Republic).

Among the films scheduled for the competition are Emine Yildirim’s “Apollon by Day Athena by Night” from Turkey, Sora Hokimoto’s “BAUS: The Ship’s Voyage Continues” out of Japan, Maria Brendle’s “Frieda’s Case” hailing from Switzerland, Tim Ellrich’s “In My Parents’ House” representing Germany, Lilja Ingolfsdottir’s “Loveable” coming from Norway, Tobias Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine, and Vallentine Chelluget’s “Nawi: Dear Future Me” produced by Kenya/Germany, Sophie Deraspe’s “Shepherds” originating in Canada/France, Andrea Segre’s “The Great Ambition” from Italy/Belgium/Bulgaria, Ivan Fund’s “The Message” out of Argentina/Spain/Uruguay, Charlie McDowell’s “The Summer Book” with roots in Finland/United Kingdom/United States, Noëlle Bastin and Baptiste Bogaert’s “Vitrival – The Most Beautiful Village in the World” from Belgium, and Hadi Mohaghegh’s “Vortex” produced by Iran/Czech Republic.

Currently, Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr, known for films like “Damnation,” “Satan’s Tango,” and “The Man From London,” has been appointed as the president of the international jury for the Forward Future Section at the Beijing Film Festival. This section, established in 2014, is committed to identifying and boosting upcoming filmmakers, primarily focusing on the debut or second works of directors.

Renowned for his extended, seamless shots using a single camera, director Tarr has garnered a dedicated fanbase of film enthusiasts both domestically and internationally. His seven-hour-plus films like “Satan’s Tango” and other black-and-white productions have been viewed as deliberate contrasts to popular Hollywood movies for quite some time.

Or, in a more conversational style:

Director Tarr is famous for his lengthy, uninterrupted shots captured by one camera. Movie lovers at home and abroad have followed him because of his unique style, which is often the opposite of what you see in Hollywood blockbusters and other films. His seven-hour-plus film “Satan’s Tango” and other black-and-white productions are a deliberate alternative to these kinds of movies.

Following the debut of his movie “The Turin Horse” in 2011, Tarr chose to retire from directing full-length films. Then, in 2013, he established a film school located in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the words of the Beijing festival, Béla Tarr has earned a distinctive position in global cinema through his minimalistic style, deep philosophical underpinnings, and trademark long-take filming technique. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has garnered numerous international awards and accolades, serving as a link between Hungarian and worldwide cinematic artistry. Often referred to as the spirit of the ‘Hungarian New Filmic Wave,’ Béla Tarr’s name is synonymous with seminal moments in film history. His work spans from realistic documentary-style presentations to more avant-garde cinematic approaches, and it is revered for its stark black-and-white visuals, poetic storytelling, and incisive social commentary.

Previously, Tarr was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The Beijing Film Festival ended by stating that Tarr is often referred to as a ‘philosopher-poet of cinema’ and the ‘last true master of filmmaking’. No accolades can truly express his profound impact on modern filmmakers or his tireless pursuit of cinematic aesthetics and social themes.

This year, Switzerland is the ‘Country of Honor’ at the Beijing Festival, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic ties with China. The occasion includes a dedicated ‘Swiss Film Week’.

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

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2025-03-28 13:24