Chinese movie 'Angels Wear White' shines in Venice

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Director Wen Yan brought China's name to the fore at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday as her movie "Angels Wear White" premiered at the star-studded event.

Written and directed by Wen, also known as Vivian Qu, the film represents China in the main competition at Venice this year, which, overall, sees 21 movies contending for the prestigious Golden Lion prize.

She is the only female director among those in the race this year.

"Angels Wear White" tells the story of two young girls living in a small southern coastal Chinese town, who were assaulted by a middle-aged man in a motel.

Actress Peng Jing, actor Geng Le, actress Zhou Meijun, Director Vivian Qu, actress Shi Ke and actor Wang Yuexin (L-R) pose during a photocall for the movie "Angels Wear White" at the 74th Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on September 7, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

The drama is presented through the dual perspective of one of the victims, 12-year-old Wen, and a female witness, Mia, a teenage receptionist working in the venue where the assault took place.

"This is a story about women... about the choices that are allowed for us, and the courage to make different ones. [It is] about the interchangeable roles of the victim and the bystander," the director wrote in the production's presentation.

Wen is one of the few independent film producers in China. Her works have been on the shortlist of several international festivals in recent years, including Venice, Rotterdam and Toronto. She produced the film “Black Coal, Thin Ice” which won the Golden Bear for Best Film at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2014.

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