The 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) has officially announced that renowned Chinese director, actor, and screenwriter Jiang Wen will serve as the Jury President for the Competition Section of the “Tiantan Award” this year. As a leading figure with profound influence in Chinese filmland, Jiang Wen's works have frequently been selected for the Competition Sections of prestigious film festivals such as Cannes International Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, and Venice International Film Festival, garnering numerous accolades.
Jiang Wen, Jury President of the 15th BJIFF Tiantan Award
In addition to receiving high praise for the artistic quality of his works, Jiang Wen's films In the Heat of the Sun (1995) and Let the Bullets Fly (2010) both claimed the top spot at the Chinese mainland's annual box office. In terms of jury experience, in 2003, he served as a jury member in the Competition Section of the 56th Cannes Film Festival. In 2013, he served as a jury member in the main competition unit of the 70th Venice International Film Festival. In 2017, he became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscar) jury. In 2018, he served as the jury president for the Golden Goblet Awards at the 21st Shanghai International Film Festival, China. As a Chinese filmmaker who consistently breaks creative conventions with a strong auteurial vision, Jiang Wen will bring a fresh aesthetic perspective to this year's BJIFF.
Serving as the Jury Member at the Competition Section of the 70th Venice International Film Festival in 2013
In 1994, at the age of 31, Jiang Wen emerged as a newcomer with extraordinary talent and a distinct creative vision. His directorial debut, In the Heat of the Sun, which he wrote and directed, captivated audiences both at home and abroad. The film was named the “Best Movie of the Year” by Time and was selected for the Competition Section at the 51st Venice International Film Festival, where it also earned Xia Yu the title of the youngest Best Actor in Venice International Film Festival's history. Jiang Wen subsequently directed, wrote, and starred in a series of outstanding films characterized by a consistent spirit of vitality, romantic imagination, highly stylized dialogue, and profound insights into human nature. These qualities have defined the distinctive charm and unique personal style of Jiang Wen's films. Whenever Jiang Wen releases a new work, it invariably ignites fervent anticipation among cinephiles and audiences alike. From his films, some perceive allegories, others discern symbols, and still others detect a form of deconstruction... Yet Jiang Wen has never been captivated by the pursuit of obscure and impenetrable symbolic meanings. What he steadfastly upholds is the telling of compelling and delightfully intriguing stories through vibrant characters. He relentlessly explores the creative possibilities of visual storytelling, striving to continually surprise and engage his audience.
Invited as the Presenter for the Best Feature Film Award at the 14th BJIFF Tiantan Award
As an actor, Jiang Wen has also achieved remarkable success. In his youth, he starred in landmark films such as Red Sorghum and Black Snow, which hold a significant place in both Chinese and global cinematic history. He twice won the Best Actor Award at the People's Hundred Flowers Awards. Since then, he has continually forged ahead, bringing to life a multitude of iconic characters: from “Li Lianying” to “Poxy Zhang”, from “Ma Shan” to “Cao Cao”, and from “Zhao Xiaoshuai” to “Lan Qingfeng”. These roles span a vast range of personalities and time periods, each radiating brilliance across the tapestry of cinematic history. Jiang Wen has also played key roles in Hollywood productions, imprinting his distinct signature on top-tier franchises and earning international recognition as an actor.
Jiang Wen on Set
With only a handful of directorial works, Jiang Wen has secured an unshakable position in Chinese cinema. His name has become a totem in the hearts of countless cinephiles. His films are like blades, like fiery liquor, like bullets, like stars - forever pursuing truth, with black humor as the eternal undertone. From the collective memories of the post-70s and post-80s generations to the admiration of the post-90s and post-00s for the “Let the Bullets Fly cinematic universe” and “masterpieces deserving of cultural heritage status”, Jiang Wen's works have transcended the boundaries of cinema, evolving into an unparalleled cultural phenomenon. Let the Bullets Fly has garnered over 180 million views on a single streaming platform, continuing to captivate new generations of viewers and inspiring a vibrant wave of secondary creations on the internet - testament to its artistic vitality and enduring relevance across eras. Now, after years of anticipation, Jiang Wen's upcoming directorial work is about to grace the screen once again, promising a fresh cinematic experience.
A Still from Let the Bullets Fly
As a director who possesses both creative prowess and a global perspective, Jiang Wen also shares a longstanding connection with BJIFF. In 2018, his acclaimed works Black Snow and A Woman For Two were featured in BJIFF's Films in Panorama. The following year, the 4K 48-frame restored version of Red Sorghum, in which he starred, was also screened at BJIFF. In 2021, Jiang Wen, alongside Gong Li, served as a guest at the BJIFF Closing & Awards Ceremony, a moment that quickly became a trending topic online. This undoubtedly attests to Jiang Wen's enduring influence, national recognition, and ability to spark conversations.
From his auteur-driven creative trajectory to his seamless blending of Eastern and Western aesthetics, Jiang Wen's presence injects a distinctive temperament and perspective into the “Tiantan Award”. His leadership foreshadows a dual breakthrough for this year's BJIFF - both in terms of artistic depth and industry impact. This cinematic feast, guided by the unmistakable "Jiang Wen aesthetic," is poised to redefine the international stature of the BJIFF Competition Section.
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