ICON: Chinese filmmaker Sherwood Hu

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Acclaimed theater and film director Sherwood Hu, or Hu Xuehua, was credited as “one of the most exciting and dynamic directors to emerge from China” by “The Hollywood Reporter.” This Saturday, he will bring some fresh insights of film industry and share with CGTN.

Born and raised in Shanghai surrounded by a creative and artistic family, Sherwood relocated to the US to receive his Masters of Arts degree from New York State University, and earned a PhD in directing from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

He studied at The Public Theater in New York under Joseph Papp, and began his professional career directing theater, including productions of Rashomon, Constant Prince and The Chairman's Wife.

In 2003, Hu returned to China to direct a 40-episode television series "Purple Jade" for China Central Television, and a 30-episode TV series "The War of Peking."

He returned to epic costume period film work with "Prince of the Himalayas" (2007), his own adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet, set in ancient Tibet and performed entirely in the Tibetan language.

The film received numerous awards including best picture, best director and best actor in several international film festivals.

Sherwood Hu on the set of “Prince of the Himalayas” in 2007 /CFP Photo

During an interview with CGTN, Hu talked about his aesthetics in filmmaking as well as the current situation of China’s film industry as he called it “the best and worst time.”

As the president of the Film and Television school at Shanghai Theater Academy, he also threw out a few suggestions for the upcoming young filmmakers who may dabble into the industry in an unprofessional manner.

Catch the full interview on CGTN’s ICON and CGTN.com on August 26th at 1730 BJT.