Editor: Diao Jiayi★ 人物 Designer: Tian Hu★ 9 Copy Editor: S. Derrick★ PEOPLE

“Absurdist”Director : Art Needs Commercial Support "I feel like I belong to another world," Kusturica said that since China has Emir Kusturica, a film director from Ser- been one of the world's most powerful bia (former Yugoslavia) whose works al- economies, China's film industry is able ways feature absurdity and escapism, to develop on the firm economic founda- talked about his true feelings about film tion. He firmly believes that the future of creation and the development of the film film largely depends on the development industry. The master director has won of China's film industry because China the Golden Palm twice and the Best Di- focuses more the development of the rector once at the , cultural industry. Chinese filmmakers, and 16 awards and nominations of inter- who have a huge growth potential, will national film festivals. make excellent films, through which peo- ple can be aware that art and commerce Absurd, Uninhibited One can be in harmony. "The Best Bass Player among World Directors" Make Films about Chinese Stories Kusturica's films are full of meta- "I am Attracted by the Typical Social phors and fantastic imaginations, form- Scenes in Beijing." ing a distinctive personal style. "Being ro- On March 24, during the Master mantic and cruel without loss of interest" Workshop held by the Central Academy is what Chinese fans think of his films. of Drama, Kusturica said he plans to make a film in China. Kusturica was Emir Kusturica was born in Saraje- amazed at a large number of bicycles vo, where the First World War broke though the editing was changed a bit, no considered as being in the wrong region, and tricycles in Beijin. Many social out. In 1981, Kusturica made his first fea- change has occurred in the way of ex- Kusturica said. "If you forcibly separate scenes which can be only seen in Asia ture film Do You Remember Dolly Bell, pression with visual language. "I believe art from commerce, you'll finally reach were very interesting to him. describing a group of Yugoslavian teen- that a film should be a type of aesthetic an impasse." As he clearly indicated, film Kusturica often carries a camera agers who began to understand west- you see and feel, not the prevailing trend." production needs commercial support. with him to record the inspirational ern pop culture. The film make him win Although the director tries to mini- In fact, film industry is capital- driven, scenes and images wherever he goes. the Golden Lion for the Best Film Debut mize uncertainties during shooting, nu- and the commercial support is always Kusturica observes some special and at the Venice International Film Festival merous uncertainties happen when a an important factor. The decision maker heart- touching moments, and the true at age 27. After that, his films were film is released, because it is impossible of the film, which directly relates to cul- human nature that was innocent and among the favorites at various interna- to control how audiences feel. ture, is the content of a film, not com- most touching. "I feel close to the people tional film festivals. Kusturica worried nothing about the mercial elements. here and I want to shoot some stories In 1985, When Father Was Away On impact of cultural diversity on audiences' For the purpose of illustration, Kus- that happened here." Business won the Golden Palm at the experiencegave. In his eyes, the screen turica introduced the production process "China's film market has been devel- Cannes Film Festival, one of the most is a magnifying glass that magnifies emo- of the Underground (1995). This impor- oping rapidly. I believe that the Beijing In- prestigious awards in Europe, as well as tions exponentially. On the Milky Road tant film that made him famous, was suc- ternational Film Festival will grow into a the Best Director award at the Pula Film (2016) is very dramatic and passionate, cessfully produced under the support of larger platform to connect the audiences Festival and the nomination for the Acad- which can be felt by any audience, re- a French film company with abundant and the filmmakers," said Kusturica at his emy Award for Best Foreign Language gardless of his cultural background. Iden- commercial resources. The film depicts first Beijing International Film Festival. It Film. His works are humorous, ironic and tity is the foundation of a film. This rule is the tortuous history of Yugoslavia from was a new experience for him. He enjoys full of tender feelings. Four years later, observed all over the world. 1941 (Nazi occupation) to 1995 (Yugo- visiting China every time. "The best proof Kusturica was awarded the title of Best Kusturica is playing multiple roles at slav Wars) in an incredibly comic way. It is that every time when I am here, I enjoy Director at the Cannes Film Festival with present, such as instrumental performer won the Golden Palm at the 48th a very sound sleep which is difficult for the film . of orchestra, film festival planner and Cannes Film Festival. people at my age." Said Kusturica. The On the Milky Road is the latest mas- writer. Under his leadership, the "No Although it has been more than 20 uniqueness of Beijing makes him relax terpiece by the Serbian film director. Writ- Smoking Orchestra" often creates origi- years since then, Kusturica expressed and feel at home. ten and directed by Kusturica, the film nal music for his films. For example, the thanks to the French film company for its He mentioned that over the past 25 stars Kusturica himself and the famous orchestra created original music for commercial support. "Without their sup- years, the number of films in competition Italian actress Monica Bellucci. It was Black Cat, White Cat (1998). In recent port, I couldn't complete the film." for international film festivals has grown aired for the first time during Beijing Inter- years, it has been on the stage in differ- While affirming the inseparability be- dramatically. In 1980s, when Kusturica national Film Festival. The film chronicles ent places of the world, including tween art and commerce, Kusturica ex- attended the Cannes Film Festival for the three stages of a man's life (Emir Shanghai. Kusturica takes playing mu- pressed requirements for the indepen- the first time, there were only 600 films in Kusturica). The first is a milkman in war- sic as a way to release emotions. Some dence of artistic creation. "Producers al- competition. Now it has exceeded by 10 time; the second is that he falls in love fans call him "the best bassist among ways instruct us to do things. It is unfair times. Co-productions by the filmmakers with the woman (played by Monica Bel- the world's directors." because it is the director that makes a from different countries have been lucci), leading to marriage betrayal; the film." The film industry should provide a booming. However, in sharp contrast to third is that he becomes a monk. Rationality, Order space where filmmakers and directors the popular film market, Kusturica is From Underground (1995) to On the Harmony in Art and Commerce can voice themselves freely. Producers calm, "There are so many shoddy films Milky Road (2016), Kusturica has never Those who uphold the complete op- can give suggestions, but directors now and the quality of co- productions changed his ideas. According to him, position between art and commerce are should make the call. should be attached with vital importance."