Golden Coconut Award juror Li Ruijun shares criteria for great films

Li Ruijun, a celebrated contemporary director, has made six feature films and won numerous international awards. His distinctive filming style and perspectives have set him apart. He was recently a juror for the 6th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) Golden Coconut Award short film competition. Li Ruijun told CGTN what his criteria are for great films.

Li said, "I keep making films about the land I come from."

"I grew up in the countryside, where kids help with farm work during school breaks, carry grain or do other chores. So, from a young age, I became very familiar with agricultural life. When I started making films, I noticed there were very few films about rural life, especially from places like the Hexi Corridor, where I come from. The more I thought about it, the more I felt the need to share the stories of people from my region. It's a place and way of life that deserves more attention. As a filmmaker, I feel it's my duty to portray it. If there were already many films about rural life, I would have shifted to urban themes. But for now, I continue focusing on this land and its people."

Li added, "Balancing professional actors with common people is the key to capturing the authentic feel of rural life."

"I mostly make realist films, and capturing the texture of life is crucial – especially in rural settings. When you're working with actors, it's challenging to ask them to live in a particular environment for months or even half a year – which is often necessary to understand the real feel of rural life. And I like using dialects in my films, and many of my films have scenes showing labor – which can be quite challenging for professional actors.

So, I started to think about how to break this dilemma and find a balance. The authenticity of non-professional actors can soften the forced nature of professional actors' performances, while the professional actors' ability to quickly enact intense emotions, especially in explosive moments, can help non-professionals connect with the emotional depth more quickly. It's about achieving a harmony between both sets of individuals."

Li also said, "I value originality the most in short films."

"The most important thing is originality. The core value of any work of art is its ability to offer something fresh and unique. Then, I see whether the film presents new audiovisual techniques or perspectives. Of course, the story itself is crucial, but for me, the originality stands out. Regardless of where the jurors come from – Europe, Asia, or China – we all share a common appreciation for emotional storytelling. We want to see something moving, with a strong sense of originality. So, I think there aren't many differences with these."