Spotlight: Chinese female directors

2004-5-25

The annual Cannes Film Festival is underway in Europe where movies and movie stars have once again become the hot topic. But who are the sparkling minds behind all the glitz and glamour? We find out in today's "Spotlight" when we focus on Chinese female directors and their masterpieces.

Sylvia Chang

By her late 20s, Sylvia Chang had become one of the most famous actresses in Asia. (Movie: "Passion") Then, at forty, she became one of Asia's top female playwrights and directors. Her signature movies are "Siao Yu", "In Between" and "Tempting Heart". Now at 51, Chang is still going strong and has once again attracted the world's attention with her new flick "Twenty, Thirty, Forty", an exploration into the lives and minds of women and the only Chinese film to make it to the 2003 Berlin Film Festival.

Ann Hui

Ann Hui is surely one of the most experienced female directors in China. Her huge list of productions includes romantic, action and horror films, as well as documentaries, largely depicting society. She was first recognized for her outstanding talents in 1982 with her movie "Boat People". It won five Hong Kong Film Awards, including best movie and best director. Just over 10 years later, she again won best director for the film "Woman, Forty". The production also won her the "Golden Horse Award" in Taiwan and "Silver Bear Award" in Berlin. Last year, the fifty-six-year-old lady released her new work "Jade Goddess of Mercy".

Hui has directed nearly twenty films throughout her long and distinguished career. She has taken on the role of producer, playwright and designer. Movies have become her eyes through which she views the world. And they have become the window through which audiences can see and understand her.

Li Shaohong

Mainland female director Li Shaohong is famous both for her aestheticism and for pushing the boundaries of film-making. Her name has caused waves both home and abroad. This talented director is fond of depicting tragic stories both on the big and small screens. (TV series: Reddening Orange) Li Shaohong graduated from the Beijing Film Academy, and has been classified as one of China's "fifth generation directors", along with the likes of Zhang Yimou and Cheng Kaige. But her 2004 movie, "Baober in Love" showed her change in style. A non-traditional love, depicted through magical realism, the movie has raised a few eyebrows with scenes of nudity, but left audiences hanging on the edge of their seats waiting for her next work.

Xu Jinglei

Also graduated from Beijing Film Academy, Xu Jinglei has played scores of lead roles in romantic movies. She's been honoured as one of four top young actress in China. But acting is only one of her passions. This beautiful girl's role in "My Father and I" won her the Maiden Directing Award in the 23rd Golden Rooster Awards, an annual film gala on the Mainland. Not only did she act in "My Father And I", but also took charge of being the movie's producer, playwright and director.

(Movie: "Spicy Love Soup", "Love to the Limit")

And, finally other familiar female directors Zhang Wanting, director of "Beijing Rocks" and "An Autumn's Tale". Luo Zhuoyao, who directed "Temptation of a Monk". And Huang Shuqin, who's responsible for "Forever Young" and "Love between Human and Ghost".

All these pioneering female directors have offered a unique take on the Chinese movie scene.

from:CCTV