Jia Zhangke's 'I Wish I Knew' hits Shanghai's FCC
Jia Zhangke basks in the sun and praise for his new film "I Wish I Knew" which was screened at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.Ever wanted to spend the night with a famous filmmaker? Now you can, no ticket to an award show needed as the Shanghai Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) hosts leading Chinese film director Jia Zhangke at the Shanghai Film Art Center. This will be followed by drinks in Cotton’s Xinhua Lu and a Q&A with the man himself.
Jia Zhangke is one of the leading figures in the sixth generation of Chinese local filmmakers -- those who cut their teeth as amateur filmmaker below the radar of state censorship policies and have now matured to create an edgy mainstream film movement. Born in the 1970s in Shanxi Province Jia Zhangke’s first films were based on his home province and were made outside of China’s state film system, and were therefore considered underground. He continued making films outside the system until his film “The World” received state approval in 2004.
Today, far from his roots challenging the censorship powers that be, his newest project, “I Wish I Knew” was done in conjunction with the Shanghai government (which will also be screened at the World 2010 Expo).
“I Wish I Knew” is a film about Shanghai, but it is so much more than a tour of the city. The film -- shot as a doumentary/fiction hybrid -- explores how local people see Shanghai and China's history over the past century. Through interviews with 18 people who have deep connections to Shanghai -- ranging from painter Chen Danqing to controversial blogger Han Han (also check out our interview with Han Han) -- Jia Zhangke’s film follows the development of the city and its people, crafting a portrait of modern day Shanghai.
“I Wish I Knew” premiered at the Cannes Festival in May, and will be screened here with English subtitles.
Shanghai FCC hosts Jia Zhangke,Shanghai Film Art Center, cinema 8, 160 Xinhua Lu, near Panyu Lu 新华路160号, 近番禺路, RMB 30 for members, RMB 50 for non-members, 7 p.m. (arrive 15 minutes early to buy tickets outside cinema 8), +86 21 6280 6088
Q&A will take place at 9:30 p.m. at Cotton's Xinhua Lu, 294 Xinhua Lu, near Dingxi Lu 新华路294号, 近定西路 +86 21 6282 6897
