Chinese films and stars shine at Cannes Film Festival

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The 72nd Cannes Film Festival will come to an end on May 25 with the announcement of the acclaimed Palme d'Or and other important awards.

In the past 12 days, Chinese movies and stars grabbed the world's attention in one of the most influential film festivals.

Films wait for Easter eggs

This year, several Chinese films were included in the shortlist for the 72nd Cannes' competition units.

"The Wild Goose Lake," a crime drama film directed by Diao Yinan, is vying against other 20 films for the top Palme d'Or film award.

A poster of "The Wild Goose Lake." /Photo via Douban.com

Based on a true story, the film tells a thief seeking desperately for salvation in his flees.

Although facing veteran directors including Ken Loach, Quentin Tarantino and Pedro Almodovar, Diao, whose "Black Coal, Thin Ice" won the Golden Bear Award for Best Film and the Silver Bear Award for Best Actor at the Berlin Film Festival in 2014, is still under high expectation.

Another film that is likely to win a trophy is "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" by Gu Xiaogang.

A poster of "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains." /Photo via Douban.com

The film depicts the challenges that four siblings and their own respective families face in caring for their old mother who has dementia. Taking beautiful sceneries in the director's hometown, Hangzhou, as a background, the film is inspired by Chinese famous landscape painting of the same name in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

Honored as the closing film of the International Critics' Week at Cannes, the film will contend for the Camera d'Or award, which chooses the best maiden film from any of the Cannes' selections.

Actresses under spotlight

On May 19, Volpi-Cup-winner Gong Li became the first Asian woman to accept the "Women in Motion" award during the Cannes Film Festival.

Gong Li at the Kering and Cannes Film Festival Official Dinner during the 72nd Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre, in Cannes, France, May 19, 2019. /VCG Photo

Established in 2015, the award is designed to show women's outstanding contributions to the film industry before and behind the screen. Its winners include American actress Jane Fonda, American actress Susan Sarandon, French actress Isabelle Huppert and American director Patty Jenkins.

Regarded it as a "true glory," Gong said, "Making films is the foundation of my life, and I would love to continue to share my passion for the work with others."

Another Chinese actress also attracted attention.

Zhang Ziyi (C) attends the masterclass at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 22, 2019. /Photo via Xinhua News Agency

Zhang Ziyi attended the masterclass on May 22 to talk about her career and what she has learned from past experiences.

She is the first Asian to join the talk in the festival's history. Along with her to deliver in the masterclass are American actor Sylvester Stallone, French actor Alain Delon and Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn.

(Top image designer: Gao Hongmei.)