Pingyao year zero: A film boutique by Jia Zhangke

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Jia Zhangke is the living, breathing example of a Chinese movie director making it big on the international stage. He is highly regarded overseas, and at home he is praised for presenting China to the world in a realistic and authentic way.

Now, the man who made his mark in the world of movies, is trying to leave his imprint on the local cultural scene. His latest endeavor is the Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Film Festival, which was held in its first edition last month in Jia's home province of Shanxi.

Overview of the ancient city of Pingyao /CGTN Photo

October 28 officially marked the addition of the newest event to the annual film festival calendar, with the inauguration of Pingyao International Film Festival.

Rising screenwriters, seasoned directors, movie stars and lovers, and the media descended on the 2,700-year-old ancient city for the occasion.

Jia and his team had transformed an abandoned plant west of the city into a red carpet-worthy venue, with first-class facilities and technologies.

Excitement was not in short supply during the event. Feng Xiaogang's new work "Youth" was released an on outdoor IMAX screen, renowned Hong Kong director John Woo held a masterclass with his photographers, and China's sweetheart Fan Bingbing was the image ambassador for the festival.

Feng Xiaogang (center) on stage with crew members of his new work"Youth" /CGTN Photo

Italian film producer Marco Müller was also in attendance, acting as the festival's art director. He was also given the crucial task of selecting entries. As the first person who bring Chinese movies to the world, Müller had recommended Zhang Yimou's "Raise the Red Lantern" and Chen Kaige's "Yellow Earth" to the world's most famous film festivals.

Marco Müller (2nd left) and Jia Zhangke (2nd right) welcome guests to the Pingyao International Film Festival. /CGTN Photo

In an interview with Parlons-en on CGTN French, Müller described Pingyao International Film Festival as a film boutique. Indeed, the works exhibited were influential in their making and message, and a visual feast.

Animation movie "Have a Nice Day" and "Angles Wear White" were some of the movies featured in the Crouching Tiger section, which saw new directors competing.

Meanwhile, the Hidden Dragon section shed light on genre films.

According to Müller, we should let the audience produce a desire to have an in-depth knowledge of things. He noted that a good film should open a window to the world for spectators and convey emotions.

CGTN Photo

Jia told CGTN French that the film festival is a "great" structure with a "small" body.

Compared to Beijing and Shanghai film festivals where over 400 works are on display, Pingyao International Film Festival is rather small-scale, with 52 movies showcased.

However, the eight-day event succeeded in grabbing headlines, as well as the eyes of entertainment industry's makers and shakers on the new generation of Chinese filmmakers.

Jia Zhangke sits for an interview with Parlons-en on CGTN French. /CGTN Photo

Jia said he is more focused on the language the movie itself conveys, rather than the dialogue between actors.

A good movie, he noted, possesses two essential factors: content that is capable of offering a new perspective to the world, and a form that contributes to enriching the film's language.

Jia also walked down the memory lane, sharing how, as a college student, he used to cycle to Sanlitun, an area in Beijing known today as a restaurant and shopping precinct, to watch French movies without Chinese subtitles. By doing so, he was able to concentrate on the film's language itself, rather than the dialogue as he knew no French.

As a local cultural center, the venue Jia established in Pingyao still welcomes visitors despite the conclusion of the festival.

By the end of next year, the city is expected to house four other movie-related bases.