The Vision section in Beijing Film Panorama of the 13th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) continues to collect the world's latest best films for fans. There are world-renowned master directors returning with new films, and emerging potentials of the younger generation to present amazing works. Such films are all amazing, bringing us wonderful lives from all around the world.
Still of The Plough
Philippe Garrel, one of the defining directors of the French New Wave era and Post-New Wave era, brings his new film The Plough, which is starred by both his son and daughter. The film follows Garrel's usual style, telling the story of a family puppet troupe of joys and sorrows. The story centers on the lives of three siblings who, after the death of their father, are forced to consider their own lives in relation to their profession.
Philippe Garrel has won the Silver Lion Award for Best Director and Best Film at the Venice International Film Festival respectively for Regular Lovers and I Don't Hear the Guitar Anymore. His works such as In The Shadow of Women, The Salt of Tears and Lover for a Day have been screened in the Beijing Film Panorama section, so he is a regular guest at the BJIFF. At the recently concluded 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, Garrel won the Silver Bear Award for Best Director with this film.
Still of Tar
There's no doubt that Tar, director Todd Field's latest film after years out of the film industry, is one of the film festival buzzers. The story about the female conductor, because of its comprehensiveness and breakthrough in shaping the characters, makes the film present a unique temperament like a biopic, with powerful metaphorical energy, condensing thousands of fans' expectations. The film was nominated for six awards at the 95th Academy Awards (Oscars) and helped Cate Blanchett win the Volpi Cup for the Best Actress at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, the second time “big devil” Blanchett won the Cup since I'm Not There in 2007.
Still of Armageddon Time
Armageddon Time was written and directed by James Gray, recreating the social and cultural environment of the United States in the 1980s. The story is inspired by the director's personal childhood experiences and revolves around themes such as childhood friendships, intergenerational relationships, and racism. Starring Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong, Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Chastain and other powerful actors, the film is the annual must-see film in North America, and was nominated for the Golden Palm in the Competition Section at the 75th Festival de Cannes.
Still of The Woodcutter Story
The Woodcutter Story is the feature-length debut of the upstart Finnish director Mikko Myllylahti. Previously, his screenplay The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki won the Un Certain Regard award at the Festival de Cannes. The Woodcutter Story follows a lumberjack's life as it unravels, and its surreal writing is a revelation. The uncanny ability to tell such a "simple" story has once again proved Myllylahti's strength, helping him to be nominated for the Golden Camera Award (Best Directorial Debut) and Award of the International Critics’ Week section at the Festival de Cannes, and finally won the Award of International Critics’ Week section for Distribution. It is believed that the screening of the film at the BJIFF will also give Chinese audiences a chance to know the "potential" of this new European director.
Still of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Luxembourg, Luxembourg has been selected in the Horizons section at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. The story follows two twins who have to embark on a journey to find their dying father in Luxembourg. Ukrainian director Antonio Lukich is one of the representative young Ukrainian filmmakers, and his previous work My Thoughts Are Silent was included in the Competition Section of the 10th BJIFF.
In this acclaimed film, he continues the theme of My Thoughts Are Silent, aiming to present the story of the young generation in search of family reconciliation amid the confusion. The audio-visual style of the film is very outstanding, combining neon aesthetics and Ukrainian rap culture, which makes the audience feel strong vitality from the big screen, making it unforgettable.
Still of Aftersun
Film festival favorite Charlotte Wells's feature debut, Aftersun, will also be screened in the Vision section. The film adopts details and life scenes to piece together the holiday memories of a father and daughter more than 20 years ago. Aftersun has a high rating of 8.1 on Douban, winning the recognition of many audiences, and has been shortlisted in the Academy Awards (Oscars), the Festival de Cannes, British Academy Film Awards and other world-class film festivals several times.
Still of Close
The film Close tells the story of two young boys chasing and playing in the countryside, and the suspicion and avoidance in the school. Many details together build the young and delicate film texture. Lukas Dhont, a new director born in the 1990s who won the FIPRESCI Prize for Girl at the Festival de Cannes, again focuses on teenagers and their ignorant, beautiful and cruel youth in Close.
Two Thai films, Six Characters and Love Destiny The movie, will be screened during the Thailand Film Week.
Still of Six Characters
Six Characters is a very representative Thai love film familiar to the audience. Living in the present day, the heroine travels back to the ancient Thai dynasty of the 1600s accidentally, encountering the hero, and having a tangle of love. The time-travel plot and light-hearted comedy that spans Thailand's history are sure to give fans a pleasant viewing experience.
Still of Love Destiny The movie
Love Destiny The movie is a posthumous work of M.L. Pundhevanop Dhewakul, a well-known Thai director, which is adapted from a popular Thai stage play. It is the Thai version of Sei Personaggi in Cerca d'Autore Enrico IV, starring a number of heavyweight Thai actors, including Mario Maurer, whom Chinese audiences know and love. The story is progressive, full of suspense and fascinating.
Enjoy the world's best films at the BJIFF and expand your global vision from the big screen. Please stay tuned for more surprises in the Beijing Film Panorama section!