Li Ruijun: Documenting an extraordinary era in China’s history

World
Europe

The second London East Asia Film Festival has opened in the UK capital showcasing films from China, Southeast Asia and South Korea.

The Festival's overarching theme, according to the organizers, is targeting social issues surrounding time and the perception of time.

A poster for London East Asia Film Festival 2017. /Photo via leaff.org.uk

At the 20th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland, the festival is celebrating 20 years of Hong Kong cinema, looking back at how Hong Kong has helped shape world cinema over the last two decades.

However, the festival takes in work spanning the entirety of East Asia.

On the big screen are many works by the region's cutting-edge filmmakers – including China's Li Ruijun and his film "Walking Past the Future," which was featured in the Cannes Film Festival earlier in the year.

A still from "Walking Past the Future" /Photo via leaff.org.uk

It's the sad tale of a young girl from the countryside and her desperate efforts to find an apartment for her parents in the city.

Richard Bestic caught up with Li Ruijun and asked him about showing his production in Cannes and the importance of film events like London's East Asia Festival.

"One of the good things about the East Asia Film Festival here in London is that my film gets seen by international audiences," said Li Ruijun. "It's really important for me to show another China to an international audience."

"My films are about ordinary people, because I'm an ordinary person... The lives of ordinary people are not seen and that's why I want to film their stories.

"For me personally, I want as many people as possible to see my films… but I'm glad just to be documenting an extraordinary era in China’s history."