The 2nd Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) was officially opened last night, the opening ceremony was held at China National Convention Centre. There was a "red carpet ceremony" and "bring back the time" segments at the opening ceremony. More than 300 Chinese and foreign celebrities graced the red carpet. The celebrities includes Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau, Aaron Kwok, Fan Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming; directors Tsui Hark, Ann Hui, Feng Xiaogang, Jiang Wen; Hollywood's Jeremy Renner and director James Cameron who expressed that he represented the foreign film industry to pay tribute to Chinese films, singing praise Chinese films and its audience.
Zhang Ziyi whom wore a white long dress was the first to grace the red carpet, she wished the young BJIFF would make its name in international film festivals from this year onwards. The entourage of A Simple Life which just did well in the Hong Kong Film Awards, Andy Lau, Deanie Ip and Ann Hui walked the red carpet together hand in hand. Andy gentlemanly held the two ladies as he also patiently double up as a translator for Deanie.
The entourage expressed that they specially made the trip to attend BJIFF and have no other special arrangement. When media asked if the success of A Simple Life can be said to be the revival of Hong Kong films, Andy said: "We are just one of the films doing our best, we can also see other successful films coming out." Ann stressed that she would not be shooting 3D films, she said: "I will only be shooting if everybody just watch 3D and not normal films."
Fan Bingbing, Feng Xiao-gang and Wong Lihom were the last to grace the red carpet.
At the opening ceremony, the "2011 Chinese Films' Most Outstanding Films", "2011 Chinese Films' Talent Scout" and "2011 Chinese Films' Most Outstanding Contributor" were presented. Andy and Zhang Ziyi were tasked to present the 2011 Chinese Films' Talent Scout to director Wu Tianming, The Central Academy of Drama's Professor Zhang Renli, director Xie Fei, Hong Kong producer and director Ng See-Yuen, Taiwanese director Li Xing as they had inject new blood (actors and directors) into the Chinese film industry, the talents they nurtured includes Jiang Wen, Tsui Hark, Ann Hui and Deanie Ip.
Zhang Ziyi made fun of her teacher, "My talent scouts is more low profile, for example Zhang Yimou, Lee Ang and Wong Kar Wai, they kept low profile, they watched the live telecast at home, hope they could attend BJIFF next year." Andy then quipped that his talent scouts includes Ann Hui, Ng See-Yuen and Feng Xiaogang, if he did not met them, "I should be at home writing Chinese calligraphy."
The State Administration of Radio Film and Television's Film department direcot Tong Gang announced the 2011 Chinese Films' Most Outstanding Films, they includes The Flowers of War, China 1911, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate 3D, Legend of A Rabbit, Go Lala Go!, The Piano in a Factory, The Karate Kid, A Simple Life, City Monkey, Prince of Himalayas. These 10 Chinese films had good results when distributed in foreign markets, as it increased the influence of Chinese films in international market.
Source: Wei Wen Po, Sing Pao, ent.Sina.com
Translated by: AndyLauSounds
