Renny Harlinis a Hollywood director whose thoughts are with Chinese films. Having worked and lived here in China for years, he knows the current situation of the film industry, and has a strong sense of participation in and responsibility for the Chinese and global film industries. Before becoming a jury member of "Tiantan Award" during the 11th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), he attended the 8th BJIFF in 2018 as a panelist. Then, from the perspective of a Hollywood filmmaker, he offered professional, insightful and impressive views on the development of Sino-foreign co-productions. At the "Sino-Foreign Film Co-Production Forum & Film Pitch" during the 10th BJIFF last year, as an international guest, he joined a discussion on issues such as international collaboration and results-oriented cooperation between Chinese and foreign films via video link.

 

 

Renny Harlin has inherent momentum. At the age of 27, he with blonde hair made his way into hustling and bustling Hollywood from his chilly hometown-Finland, tried six times with a screenplay and a hand drawn storyboard in hands, finally got an investment and made a hit horror film:A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master， The film grossed nearly 50 million U.S. dollars at the box office after being released in 1988, representing the total box office earnings of the first and second installments of the franchise.

 

Though only a rookie when he directed A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, Renny did not settle for the stereotype of the franchise. The film was acclaimed as the best installment of the franchise by the industry for its salutatory plots, rich imaginations and dazzling actions. Today it still tops many horror film charts. Renny rose to fame with the hit.

 

Renny, who was recognized by the industry for his ability to direct a sequel, directed Die Hard 2 which earned him a place among top action directors in Hollywood. Die Hard 1 starring Bruce Willis took over 140 million U.S. dollars at the box office after it was released in 1988, raising the threshold of sequels to the ceiling. Renny stood the pressure. Die Hard 2, as popular as Die Hard 1, raked in 100 million U.S. dollars more than its previous installment did. Sylvester Stallone, a top Hollywood action star, was drawn by his accomplishment.

 

Cliffhanger directed by Renny and starring Stallone was shot on a 2,919-meter-high snow mountain. The extreme environment made shooting and action design tougher, but enhanced viewing experiences. Scenes like snowfield chase and plane bombing are famous scenes of action films to this day. The film took 255 million U.S. dollars worldwide, and was nominated for the 66th Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Effects Editing and Best Sound. To date Renny's films have grossed over 1 billion U.S. dollars at the box office.

 

In Hollywood where tough guys dominated action films in the 1990s, Renny did not settle for the stereotype, but directed The Long Kiss Goodnight and Cutthroat Island and produced a hit comedy-Rambling Rose (nominated for the 64th Academy Award for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress). These films succeeded or flopped, but provoked his thought on the film industry: Is the box office the only yardstick for film creation?

 

We have every reason to believe that Renny has never stopped thinking this way, because at the Sino-Foreign Film Co-Production Forum of the 8th BJIFF in 2018, he criticized the theory of "box office only" upheld by some Hollywood filmmakers, and noted that it was imperfect to attract global audiences by simply bringing together actors from different countries in co-productions. He thought co-productions should tell stories with cultural value.

 

After being ranked among top Hollywood action directors, Renny became naturally acquainted with Chinese action movie star Jackie Chan. Skiptrace (2016) directed by Renny and starring Jackie brought Renny into contact with China's film industry. By shooting the film around China and working with Chinese filmmakers in different areas, he experienced a strong atmosphere and vitality of films, as well as the cultural atmosphere he had been pursuing. During shooting Bodies at Rest (2019), he mentioned the reason for his stay in China: "Here you can feel infinite possibilities in creation."

 

Renny has founded his own production company in China. The facts of China's film industry, talent reserves and the Chinese film market are all the reasons for him to take a more active part in Chinese films. His experiences of directing genre films and his understanding of Hollywood's film industry allow him to look at Chinese films from another perspective all time, and provide different perspectives of interpretation and ways of thinking for various types of films.

 

Let's expect Renny Harlin to select and comment on shortlisted films as a jury member of the 11th BJIFF-"Tiantan Award".