The total number of Chinese students studying abroad reached about 662,100 in 2018, an increase of 8.83% from the previous year – a development that is gaining greater attention internationally.

The Neo Universal has initiated an exhibition that focuses on 107 young Chinese directors who have graduated from foreign institutions. The event, which provides a platform to show their films, was held this year at Beijing Broadway Cinematheque MOMA from December 16 to 20. 

Stunning film productions

Young Chinese directors from the U.S, France, South Korea and other countries brought their film productions to the exhibition and met with audiences. There is a short film"Ash" produced by Chinese director Chen Lu, about a mother named Maude's spiritual journey as her son nears execution. The director was born in Shanghai and graduated from Tisch School of The Arts in New York. 

Different types of movies were presented during the exhibition. Dark comedy "Seventy 2 Hours" by Zhao Zhenyi tells a story about a man from a dysfunctional family trying to self-medicate in a mental hospital. Zhao studied at the University of California, Davis and New York Film Academy. His comedy was selected for the short film corner at the 68th Cannes film festival.  

As documentaries have attracted increasing audiences in recent years, the exhibition screened "Arcosanti," featuring the area of Arcosanti and its residents. Director Feng Kehui graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. 

Some films show concern about common issues, such as war and illness.  The 20-minute film "Cello" focuses on a cellist Ansel who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ASL) and how he fought with the disease. 

Filmmakers, movie critics and curators, including Guan Tian, who was a jury member at the 12th FIRST International Film Festival, were invited to a forum after the screening and interacted with audiences.

A cross-cultural perspective

The unique style of each director shows how those Chinese directors who studied abroad were influenced by the process of globalization. For example, there are filmmakers who were born in south China, received education in Asia, America and Europe, grew up in different cultural environments adding diversity to their concepts. 

Guan Tian said during the forum, "When those filmmakers were asked about how the experience of studying overseas influenced them, they all said that it broadens their horizons." He hopes they will have new thinking about film after the culture shock. 

Cover image designed by Liu Shaozhen