Zhang Yimou Workshop & Masterclass

The Zhang Yimou Workshop & Masterclass of the 13th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) opened on April 27. 

This Workshop & Masterclass invited Zhang Yimou, Chinese director and Jury President of the 13th BJIFF Tiantan Award as the keynote speaker, Song Fangjin, screenwriter and writer, as the panelist, and media professional Chen Luyu as the moderator. They conducted profound discussions and exchanges under the theme of "From Red Sorghum to Full River Red: Everything in Zhang Yimou’s Filmmaking World”, and showcased Zhang's spirit of artistic innovation that always keeps pace with the times. 

　　Activity site of Zhang Yimou Workshop & Masterclass

　　Panelist Song Fangjin

　　Moderator Chen Luyu

　　▍Always make bold attempts but never break rules

Zhang Yimou's films are always bold and avant-garde, which not only involve the up-to-date creation of traditional genre films, but also make revolutionary breakthroughs in his aesthetic style.

The film Full River Red is created with a cinematic audiovisual language based on Chinese traditional chapter novels, in combination with elements of different genre films such as suspense and comedy. On one hand, this is the director’s new attempt in genre films; on the other hand, this also gives new vitality and possibilities to theatrical films.

　　Activity site of Zhang Yimou Workshop & Masterclass

Zhang Yimou admitted that his films in the past were not consciously classified as a particular genre, but more of a feeling and an artistic intuition, such as the humorous and light-hearted conception in The Story of Qiu-Ju and Keep Cool. Full River Red is his first attempt at the comedy genre.

Snipers changes the traditional narrative style of mainstream high-budget war films with big scenes, and uses more ordinary actors to present the shooting of a new war film with small scenes.

Through his innovation in genre films, Zhang Yimou has not only made breakthroughs in traditional genre films, but also given the audience a lot of trust for their aesthetic ability that keeps up with the times, satisfying their viewing needs in this age.

　　▍Reduce complexity and pursue simplicity

We can always see the perfect “white space” in the films directed by Zhang Yimou. Screenwriter Song Fangjin said this artistic technique can reduce complexity and pursue simplicity, which is in line with the concept of Chinese traditional calligraphy and painting aesthetics.

　　Activity site of "From Red Sorghum to Full River Red: Everything in Zhang Yimou’s Filmmaking World”

He suggested that lyric passages in genre films should not exceed two minutes, as they are different from literary films and should be emotionally restrained. In a high-plot genre film, emotions only represent one tenth, or one fifteenth, so emotions should be described more precisely, allowing viewers to know the whole picture with a glimpse. 

In lyric passages of a genre film, the audience should temporarily get relieved before following the rhythm of the film into the tense and exciting plot.

　　Activity site of Zhang Yimou Workshop & Masterclass

When talking about Cliff Walkers, he said, “It's even harder to suddenly stop to express emotions in the middle of a plot-type rhythm. If you can use 30 seconds to express emotions, that's enough. Emotional expression, feelings and inner thoughts have to be very precise and simple, and lines should be very concise. However, actors’ performance should be very subtle and strong. This will bring another sense of beauty, which I really like. Emotional expression like this is perfect, neither too long nor too short, leaving endless aftertaste to me. Then the following plot will make me very happy.”

　　▍Attract more audiences

With Hero, Zhang Yimou once ushered in the blockbuster era of Chinese films. Speaking of the box office, he said that it’s of particular importance when people really walk into cinemas and watch films. The box office and the number of viewers equally matter.

To make the film industry bigger and stronger, the audience must be the key. The way of watching a film directly determines the terminal of the film industry, and the audience's entering the cinema is the last link of the film industry. If everyone watches movies on the Internet, instead of cinemas, the film industry may disappear even though there are still movies. This also means that the most important thing for filmmakers is to think about how to attract people to watch films at cinemas.

When asked about the definition of a “good movie”, he said, “I think we should forget our ‘artist’ identity, and try to present works more acceptable to ordinary people. We should approach the audience, interact with them, impress and attract them as much as possible, and put your artistic ideas behind. I recommend such creative thinking as it's of vital significance for China to become a film power. Creators can survive and the dream of a film power can be realized only if they attract the audience.”

“So what is a good film? When you ask people about the definition of a good film, different people may give different answers. But today I’d like to particularly stress: A good film can attract the audience to enter cinemas. This condition must be added.”

Speaking of the audience's comments, he joked, “I’ve been growing up under fire. Widespread comments or criticism on the Internet is normal, so we should keep calm.”

Over the years, he has maintained a calm attitude towards comments from the audience. He said the voices of the audience are food, and we should eat both refined and coarse grains.

　　▍Stars will illuminate your way forward

At the Workshop & Masterclass, Zhang Yimou also shared how he maintains strong creative passion and thinking. 

First of all, he always keeps a mentality of being grateful to the age. Thanks to this age, he has luckily been able to turn his hobby into a career, so he dare not relax and waste time, Zhang added.

Second, self-discipline. No matter in exercise or diet, he is very strict with himself, as he believes that a healthy body can help us keep quick-minded.

Last, plenty of learning. It's easier for him to understand new information and new things through thinking and learning. He often reads a lot on the Internet, constantly learns new things, and makes attempts that he never did before. 

At the end of the Workshop & Masterclass, Zhang Yimou also gave advice on young filmmakers, “Cinema only has a history of over a hundred years, so it is a young art. From the present to the future, cinema will always be the art of the young, who are the hope of us. I have nothing more to say to young friends than one word: If you love it, stick with it.”

　Activity site of "From Red Sorghum to Full River Red: Everything in Zhang Yimou’s Filmmaking World”