Chinese films shine once more at Cannes

Chinese actress Zhao Tao greets the press at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France on Tuesday. Xinhua

The 77th Cannes Film Festival kicked off in the resort city in southeastern France on Tuesday, marking an inspirational return of Chinese-language movies to the international screen.

Widely regarded as an important platform that has helped Chinese filmmakers earn global recognition for more than four decades, alongside the Venice International Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival, the annual Cannes event has selected multiple high-profile Chinese movies in its official categories.

Mainland director Jia Zhangke saw his latest directorial effort, “Caught by the Tides,” shortlisted for the prestigious Palme d’Or, marking his sixth nomination for the festival’s top honor. The film, which will make its global debut at the festival Saturday, spans 22 years both on reel and in real life. Shooting started in 2001 and production was completed in 2023.

“Caught by the Tides” stars Zhao Tao, Jia’s wife, who has appeared in 13 of his films. The film’s plot revolves around the intermittent relationship between a woman and her lover in a small town in North China, and delves into the protagonist’s journey through life’s tumultuous experiences.

Jia revealed on his Weibo account that the film’s lead actor, Li Zhubin, has appeared in some of his arthouse works, including “A Touch of Sin,” which earned the director the Best Screenplay award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Reflecting on the dearth of Chinese films at Cannes in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jia said this year showcases the commitment of Chinese filmmakers to continue creating and sharing their art.

As one of the most star-studded Chinese films participating in the festival, Hong Kong director Peter Chan’s “She’s Got No Name,” starring Zhang Ziyi, will debut at Cannes on May 24. The film is inspired by a 1945 incident in Shanghai, where a woman allegedly murdered her husband over domestic violence.

In an interview with Chinese journalists, Chan revealed that he was drawn to the project around eight years ago when a scriptwriter presented him with a novel inspired by the case. “I have questions about the case and aimed to incorporate all these uncertainties into the movie. It’s a dramatic case filled with suspense involving many characters, whose fates are altered by the era,” he said.

Among other Chinese films in the Cannes official lineup is director Guan Hu’s “Black Dog” in the Un Certain Regard section, a category designed to recognize innovative filmmakers and their unique storytelling styles. The film, starring actor Eddie Peng, recounts a dogcatcher’s transformative journey after his encounter with a black stray dog.

Sha Dan, a veteran film critic and curator at the China Film Archive, said that several classic Chinese films will screen their 4K restored versions in Cannes, serving as a bridge to enhance cultural exchanges and bolster the influence of Chinese films. The restored films include Tsui Hark’s 1984 comedy “Shanghai Blues” and Jackie Chan’s 1991 movie “Armour of God II: Operation Condor.” (China Daily)