News Release For Immediate Release
China Film Festival returns to Singapore
Singapore, 12 May 2011 – A selection of five Chinese feature films, comprising award- winners and box-office successes, including the country’s most expensive animated feature, will debut in Singapore’s cinemas as part of the 2011 China Film Festival taking place alongside ScreenSingapore this June.
The five-day China Film Festival will open on 6 June with the critically acclaimed Deep in the Clouds (碧罗雪山), a love story set in the remote mountains directed by Liu Jie, which swept four awards at the 13 th Shanghai International Film Festival last year, including Best Director, Best Music, Jury Grand Prize and Special Jury Prize. It will close on 10 June with Eternal Moment (将爱情进行到底), a box office hit in China directed by Zhang Yibai and produced by popular actor Li Yapeng, who also starred in the film opposite top-rated actress Xu Jinglei.
The film selection also includes The Piano in The Factory (钢的琴), whose male lead clinched the Best Actor Award at the 23 rd Tokyo International Film Festival and Walking to School (走路上学), which was conferred Best Children’s Film at several festivals. Completing the line-up is The Dreams of Jinsha (梦回金沙城), a hand-drawn animation masterpiece that took five years and US$11 million to complete, and which was one of 15 films to qualify for the Best Animation Feature at this year’s Oscars. Together, these five films present a snapshot of China’s vibrant and diverse film industry and highlight a
Page 1 of 8 new generation of filmmakers exploring a variety of genres including romance, drama and animation.
The 2011 China Film Festival is organised by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and supported by the Film Bureau under China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), with the aim of promoting film exchanges between the two countries which signed a bilateral film co-production treaty last year. Following the 2011 China Film Festival in Singapore, China will host a Singapore Film Festival next year.
This is the second time that both parties are collaborating to host film festivals in each other’s country, following the inaugural Singapore Film Festival in Beijing and Shanghai in 2007, and the first China Film Festival in Singapore in 2008.
“In addition to reaching out to the movie-going public, these film festivals serve as platforms for filmmakers from both countries to meet and exchange ideas. We hope that co-hosting such film festivals will contribute towards cultural exchanges between China and Singapore, as well as promote the development of our film industries,” said Mr Yeo Chun Cheng, Director of Broadcast, Animation, Film and Music, MDA, and Director of Singapore Film Commission.
The 2011 China Film Festival is a co-located event of ScreenSingapore. To be held from 5 to 12 June 2011, ScreenSingapore is positioned as the country’s first international cinema event that brings together movie stars, renowned directors and eminent film industry professionals to exchange ideas, explore business opportunities and showcase film products. The week-long event comprises a trade show, conferences, master classes and nightly red carpet premieres.
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The screening schedule for the 2011 China Film Festival is as follows: 6 June 6.45pm Deep in the Clouds (碧罗雪山) (Opening film - By invitation only) 7 June 6.45pm The Piano in the Factory (钢的琴) 8 June 7.00pm Walking to School (走路上学) 9 June 7.00pm The Dreams of Jinsha (梦回金沙城) 10 June 6.45pm Eternal Moment (将爱情进行到底)
All screenings will take place in Cinema Europa at Golden Village VivoCity. Priced at $5 each, tickets can be purchased at all Golden Village Box Office Counters and online at www.gv.com.sg from 19 May 2011. Please see the Annex for more details about the 2011 China Film Festival selection.
### For media queries, please contact:
Chia Pei Siang (Ms) Head, Industry Communications Media Development Authority T: +65 9726 3151 E: [email protected]
About Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) The Media Development Authority of Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg) promotes the development of vibrant and competitive film, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation and interactive digital media industries in Singapore. It has developed an industry masterplan, Singapore Media Fusion 2015 (www.smf.sg) to advance this goal. MDA also promotes a connected society, consumer choice and a pro-business environment.
About ScreenSingapore ScreenSingapore, an international cinema event from 5-12 June 2011, will see Hollywood premieres in Asia and showcase Asian content to the world. In addition, the weeklong event will be lined with a trade show, conferences and master classes. ScreenSingapore is a key marketing platform for the global film and entertainment communities to tap the vast potential in the fast- growing markets of Asia. ScreenSingapore is hosted by the Media Development Authority of Singapore, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board and the Economic Development Board. It is organised by Experia Events Pte Ltd. For more information, visit www.screensingapore.com.sg.
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Annex 2011 China Film Festival in Singapore
1) Deep In The Clouds (Opening Film – By invitation only) (6 June)
Director : Liu Jie Cast : Wang Puze, Na Zhenye Genre : Drama Running time : 94 minutes Awards : Best Director, Best Music, Jury Grand Prize and Special Jury Prize at the 13 th Shanghai International Film Festival
The story takes place in a Lisu Village near the Nu River. Di A Lu, in love with Mu Pa's sister Ji Ni, is banned from pursuing her by Lisu tradition. One day, Mu Pa is arrested after cutting down a plant that is protected under national laws. Mu Pa's father tries to marry Ji Ni to A Da to settle Mu Pa's case. On her wedding day, Ji Ni, dressed in a traditional Lisu wedding outfit, disappears into a foggy mountain. Three months later, Lisu people start moving out of the mountains where they have lived for generations side-by-side with their worshipped ancestors – the bears.
《《碧罗雪山碧罗雪山》 导演：刘杰 主演：汪普则、娜真叶 类型：剧情片 片长：94 分钟 获奖情况：第 13 届上海国际电影节最佳导演、最佳音乐、评委会大奖以及评委 会特别嘉奖四项大奖
怒江边上一个小村庄面临着传统生活和现代生活的抉择。迪阿鲁（汪普则饰） 爱着木扒的妹妹吉妮（娜真叶饰）。木扒因为偷卖国家保护植物红豆杉的树皮 而被抓，木扒的父亲为了救儿子，打算把吉妮嫁给村里的混混阿达换取彩礼。 然而，就在吉妮结婚那天，身穿传统嫁衣的她逃离了村庄，却在路上被熊害死 了。3 个月后，因为要躲避熊害，人民开始搬离祖祖辈辈生活的大山。迪阿鲁 最终只能看着大家搬离故乡，而自己热恋的女孩子也消失在大山里。
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2) The Piano In The Factory (7 June)
Director : Zhang Meng Cast : Wang Qianyuan, Qin Hailu, Liu Xingyu Genre : Drama Running time : 107 minutes Awards : Best Actor at the 23 rd Tokyo International Film Festival
Mr Chen’s wife, who has left home, suddenly returns to his life with a request for a divorce and custody of their daughter. Refusing to take sides, the daughter decides to live with the parent who can get her a piano. Chen’s struggle thus begins. He tries to borrow money, and even attempts to steal a piano from a school music room, but his efforts fail. Without any other means, Chen decides to make a piano from scratch. He persuades a group of unaccomplished - but loyal - friends to help him cobble together a piano in a derelict factory from a little scrap steel and a lot of ingenuity. After overcoming many hurdles, Chen’s piano project takes shape while his wife fights vigorously in the courts for custody of their daughter. She receives an earlier court date than expected, long before the piano can be completed. Resigned to losing his daughter, Chen gives up. But his group of factory misfits decides to forge ahead with the project. Though crude in design and tune, the factory piano is finally finished and awaits its first and final performance.
《《钢的琴钢的琴》 导演：张猛 主演：王千源、秦海璐、刘星禹 类型：剧情片 片长：107 分钟 获奖情况：第 23 届东京国际电影节最佳男演员奖
故事讲述上世纪 90 年代钢厂下岗工人陈桂林面临离婚，事业和家庭均不如意， 但他依然积极乐观地生活，为赢得与女儿生活的权利，他偷琴不成，决定和昔 日钢厂工友们一起做一台钢的琴。
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3) Walking To School (8 June)
Director : Peng Jiahuang, Peng Chen Cast : Cao Xiwen, Ding Jiali, A Na Muling Genre : Drama Running time : 83 minutes Awards : 18 th Golden Rooster Awards Best Children’s Film; 2009 Ornamental Column Awards Best Children’s Film and Best Child Actor
Wawa is a 7-year-old child who envies his elder sister who crosses the river by ropeway to go to school. Unable to resist the temptation from the other side, Wawa secretly crosses the river by ropeway alone to visit the school. Wawa’s secret is uncovered by Ms Nie during her first home visit to Wawa’s house. Miss Nie gives Wawa a pair of red rain boots to keep him at home. Wawa promises his mother and elder sister that he will no longer use the ropeway in secret. Unfortunately, in order to deliver a pair of new shoes in time, elder sister Naxiang slips from the ropeway and falls into the river. Henceforth, Wawa develops a deep fear of the ropeway.
It is the spring season and the village’s first bridge, built with donations from the community, completes construction. Wawa can finally make his way to school by foot. Ambling along the bridge under the spring sunshine, Wawa feels as if his elder sister and he are once again walking hand in hand…
《《走路上学走路上学》 导演：彭家煌、彭臣 主演：曹曦文、丁嘉力、阿娜木龄 类型：剧情片 片长：83 分钟 获奖情况：2009 年第 18 届金鸡百花电影节最佳儿童片奖；2009 年华表奖优秀 儿童影片奖、优秀少儿男演员奖
根据真人真事改编，讲述了生活在云南怒江边上的小姐弟俩，为了到对面去上 学，而不得不每天命悬一线、溜索过江的故事。
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4) The Dreams of Jinsha (9 June)
Director : Chen Deming Studio : Hangzhou C&L Digital Production Co., Ltd. Genre : Animation (Adventure) Running time : 80 minutes
Xiao Long is a modern day middle-school student, who, after being transported 3,000 years back in time to the ancient kingdom of Jinsha, discovers his true destiny. Jinsha is a beautiful and magical place but plagued by a mysterious evil energy whom its inhabitants fear they can't hold off, much less defeat. After the school boy witnesses the beginnings of the destruction by the forces of darkness on this ancient land, he is overcome with sadness and pledges to help. Upon discovering a special connection with nature, Xiao Long gains the trust of the beautiful young Princess Hau'er and her loyal subjects and together they fight the wicked forces surrounding them to restore peace across the kingdom. Along the way, Xiao Long transforms himself into a courageous boy who forgoes his self-centered behavior to coexist harmoniously with others.
《《梦回金沙城梦回金沙城》 导演：陈德明 出品: 杭州盛世龙图动画有限公司 类型：动画 （历险记） 片长：80 分钟
主人公小龙是现代社会中一个比较自我、有爱心和有使命感的学生，他的命运 被一只来自 3 5 00 年前的小狗改变了，在一个神秘的夜晚，野奇的小狗带着小龙 通过时光隧道回到了 3 5 00 年前瑰丽、唯美的金沙国。影片通过主人公小龙的奇 遇，演绎出了一个当代中国青少年心灵成长的感人故事。
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5) Eternal Moment (Closing Film) (10 June)
Director : Zhang Yibai Cast : Li Yapeng, Xu Jinglei Genre : Romance Running time : 103 minutes
Directed by Zhang Yibai, Eternal Moment takes off from where the 20-episode eponymous television series ended and offers three distinctive scenarios after the college couple Wen Hui (performed by Xu Jinglei) and Yang Zheng (performed by Li Yapeng) leave school. The first scenario features the bland long-time marriage in an affluent Beijing family. The second reveals the luckless and bitter life of a single mother in Shanghai. And the last is about a reignited romance set in Bordeaux, France.
《《将爱情进行到底将爱情进行到底》 导演：张一白 主演：李亚鹏、徐静蕾 类型：爱情片 片长：103 分钟
电影版《将爱情进行到底》的故事是同名电视剧的延续。爱情有多少种可能？ 影片借北京、上海、波尔多的三城记，讲述了杨峥和文慧十二年后重逢的三种 爱情命运的可能。
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