courtesy of on.cc

Jia Zhangke, Zhang Ziyi

A TOUCH OF SIN depicts many controversial violent events in the Mainland in recent years

Zhang Ziyi

Zhang Ziyi presents the Camera d'Or to Anthony Chen
courtesy of mingpao.com

The 66th Cannes Film Festival closed yesterday. The only Chinese film in competition this year, A TOUCH OF SIN, won Mainland director Jia Zhangke his first Best Screenplay award. Jury chair Steven Spielberg praised him. "He is a director with vision. The 4 true stories in the film left a deep impression with the jury. Everyone liked it very much."

As early as 2002 and 2008, Jia Zhangke participated in the Cannes Film Festival with UNKNOWN PLEASURES and STILL LIFE both returned home empty handed both times. This time with A TOUCH OF SIN he won his first Best Screenplay award. He said, "From UNKNOWN PLEASURES to now, a lot of changes have taken place in China. As a director I have been following these changes......the story has 4 characters who face pressure in the rapidly changing background, causing them to create sudden violence. I hope to consider violence through facing violence."

A TOUCH OF SIN has been called Jia Zhangke's most commercial and most violent work to date. His wife Zhao Tao, Jiang Wu, Wang Baoqiang and others performed 4 shocking Mainland news stories of recent years, including sensitive subjects like the Deng Yujiao murder and the Foxconn employee suicide. Foreign media once suspected whether this film will be released in the Mainland? Jia Zhangke after the award reiterated that the film already has the state approval for an October release this year and stressed that the Mainland version will be the same as the Cannes version.

Jia Zhangke said that today he will return home. He hoped to be able to celebrate with the cast and the crew in Beijing and share the joy with production partners across 4 provinces. Zhao Tao yesterday morning congratulated her husband online and posed a photo of them kissing. She could not hide her excitement.

Zhang Ziyi presented that the Camera d'Or to Singapore director Anthony Chen for ILO ILO. After the closing ceremony ended, Zhang Ziyi posted online. "A beautiful journey suddenly ends, just like after the final note of a moving love song people are left with a sense of loss......I am on the road home, missing everything at home."

Jia Zhangke is very happy that his new film makes people think about Chinese culture

For A TOUCH OF SIN Zhao Tao cut her two year long hair
courtesy of on.cc

Mainland director Jia Zhangke and his wife Zhao Tao said about Zhang Ziyi being criticized after praising his new film A TOUCH OF SIN, "I thank her for her support. Her jury work was in a different segment from ours, so she was able to express her feeling. People only yelled at her because they didn't understand. (Reportedly TOUCH reflected on the Foxconn incident?) The film was inspired by internet violent cases, the characters and the story were all fictional. The film passed inspection and will be released in the Mainland in October. I am very happy that this film brought out a reflection of Chinese culture, now it is open. (How was your wife's performance?) I used to think she brought a little luck, now she has opened my eyes. (Will you work with Johnnie To Kei Fung?) Earlier I took time off with him to make TOUCH, he told me to 'hurry back'. Later we will start a collaboration." Director Jia also praised Carina Lau Ka Ling and Chen Kun's performance in BENDS (GOR GAI).

Zhao Tao said, "This character is full of tension, which is rather hard to play. I started in dance, and added dance choreography in the murder scene. The result was decent. For this film I cut the hair that I have grown for two years, which was somewhat regrettable but work was more important. I wasn't worried about inspection, the director was very courageous."

Some online accuses Zhang Ziyi of playing favorites with Mainland films
courtesy of on.cc

Jia Zhangke and Zhao Tao attend the BLIND DETECTIVE premiere
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Mainland director Jia Zhangke directed A TOUCH OF SIN was the only Chinese film in competition at Cannes and is taking a lead so far. According to yesterday's Cannes Film Festival program, among the 20 films in competition, six that have already been screened received their grades. Mainland film A TOUCH OF SIN so far led with 3 stars (out of 4 stars), then French film THE PAST with 2.8 stars and Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda's LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON with 2.5 stars came in third.

A TOUCH OF SIN's leads Jiang Wu and Zhao Tao were very excited and hoped to maintain the favorite position until the end. Jia Zhangke was also very relaxed, in Cannes he even attended and supported his friends' film premieres; two nights ago he went to the BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM) Premiere and exchanged experience with Johnnie To Kei Fung and Andy Lau Tak Wa.

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

With her husband Tony Leung Chiu Wai by her side Carina Lau is even more confident

Carina Lau blows kisses to the media like a queen on a parade

After the premiere Carina Lau and Chen Kun embrace each other to the applause of many, including director Jia Zhangke (left)
courtesy of mingpao.com

Carina Lau Ka Ling's BENDS (GOR GAI) two nights ago held its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Once Cannes Best Actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai played bodyguard to his wife all night, accompanying Ka Ling down the red carpet and giving his wife a queen's arrival. After the premiere, Wai Jai and viewers including director Jia Zhangke who deliberately came in support applauded. Many viewers stood up and applauded for 10 minutes. With both Chinese and foreign film critics alike praising Lau Ka Ling's performance, her Cannes Best Actress chances heated up.

Although rain has been falling for days in Cannes, it could not stop the guests' enthusiasm. Lau Ka Ling and Chen Kun were BENDS' leads, of course they dressed up for the occasion; Leung Chiu Wai who was used to being the lead this time would rather played support and bodyguard to his wife Lau Ka Ling. He stayed by her side and silently supported her. Yet on the red carpet how could anyone not see this superstar? Thus he and Lau Ka Ling all became the foci of the camera flash bulbs, making Ka Ling's red carpet appearance like a queen's arrival. The team naturally was very happy, at least she brought attention to the film.

The film's new director Flora Lau Wan Man, producers Shi Nansun and Winnie Yu Tseng and one of the investors Hsu Feng flew to Cannes for the event. Everyone placed a lot of importance on this film. After the global premiere two nights ago, everyone stood up and accepted the cheers of the audience. The applause even lasted 10 minutes. As everyone experienced the excitement, they embraced each other. The scene was both joyous and touching. Although Wai Jai remained in his seat to keep from stealing the spotlight, he applauded hard to provide endless support to his wife and the team.

After the screening many Chinese and foreign film reviews appeared, most praised Lau Ka Ling's performance in the film as the wife or a rich man to be very convincing and had depth. After the premiere, Lau Ka Ling's acting was recognized even more. Her chances at Best Actress heated up again. With her husband Leung Chiu Wai's lucky assistance, would she win Best Actress and receive international recognition for her acting? If she and Wai Jai both won at Cannes, then they would become an international Best Actor and Best Actress couple!

A French national television station reporter said that the film had a very meaningful story and reflected the difference between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Its display of Hong Kong was not exaggerated at all. Lau Ka Ling's performance was very detailed and had many emotional scenes. The feeling for Chen Kun as the driver was average. A German broadcast radio film critic praised the film to be very sentimental and had depth, from the film viewers could understand a lot about China and Hong Kong. The visuals were beautiful and very persuasive. A Mainland reporter agreed that the characters were more outstanding, the film was very smooth including the ending and was expected to win awards. Yet an Italian reporter said that the story of the rich and the poor has been seen before and could not completely win over people.

Lead actor Chen Kun said that before walking the red carpet he was very nervous because he has not seen the entire film. Yet after watching it he was very moved! The director also said before the premiere that from planning to production BENDS to her was a long journey. She hoped that viewers would enjoy and liked her film as much as she did.

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Carina Lau and Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Did Tony Leung Chiu Wai take this photo of Carina Lau on the beach?

Kitty Zhang

Li Meng, Jiang Wu, Zhao Tao and director Jia Zhangke walk the red carpret for A TOUCH OF SIN

Wang Baoqiang expresses his love to his wife and kisses her 

courtesy of mingpao.com

The Carina Lau Ka Ling starred film BENDS (GOR GAI) was selected for the Cannes Film Festival Un Regard Certain segment, and her husband Tony Leung Chiu Wai tag along to cheer her on. Ka Ling appeared at the A TOUCH OF SIN premiere and on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet for the first time this year. Later she along with Chen Kun and director Flora Lau Wan Man attended the BENDS press conference. However she still took time to enjoy the Cannes sunshine and beach. In a cartoon character tee shirt she sat on the beach and looked relaxed. She wrote online, "The sunshine after the rain!" Some asked if Wai Jai personally took the photo for her.

Ka Ling and Chen Kun in BENDS played the wife of a rich man and a driver. Chen Kun even gained weight for the role. Ka Ling said that years ago in DAYS OF BEING WILD (AH FEI JING JUEN) she played a 60s dance escort and director Wong Kar Wai asked her to gain weight. She however turned him down. She said, "Thinking back I don't know why I said no. Now I have the will power to become thin again, I just look at my performance." She has exercised for 18 years, both physically and mentally she was at the best shape of her life. She said, "I used to have two guardians, persistence and tolerance. They are now retired and in their place are compassion and forgiveness, I used these attitudes with work and friends."

Earlier she dined with ang Lee. She said that Wai Jai and Ang Lee worked together on LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI) to create another milestone in their performance careers. She lamented that Ang Lee actually was able to make Wai Jai as "street crossing rat" and enabled Wai Jai who longed for a breakthrough at the time to finally create a classic. Although they have not worked together again, Ka Ling felt that it depended on fate. She did not feel Wai Jai was tortured when he performed Ang Lee's film. "I felt he rather enjoyed it, I would be able to too, I have a lot of endurance."

She performed BENDS' end credit song. Who sang better between her and Wai Jai? She analyzed, "Technically I am good, but emotionally he would be better. You see his Putonghua isn't fluent either and would be off key, but when he sang he had a lot of flavor."

A TOUCH OF SIN lead actor Wang Baoqiang made a strong showing. He not only appeared with his wife but also expressed his love to her on one knee from multiple angles as the media's demanded. They also kissed many times. Finally under the urging of security he finally reluctantly dragged his wife and left. Some said that his performance in comparison to the film was the real "China style explosion".

A TOUCH OF SIN director Jia Zhangke at the press conference responded to the film inspection question that everyone was concerned about. He said, "The film has already passed inspection and received a release permit, hopefully it will be released in the Mainland in the fall this year." Would inspection standards affect creative freedom? He said, "The inspection passed very smoothly. I didn't study why it was so smooth, but one of the motivation was that I had no fear inside." Since it involved social violence, would it truly be released? "I hope through this film even to have more viewers in China, because what I am talking about is the violence that all Chinese experience in public space. If our society wants to avoid violence and escape from personal tragedy, first we have to learn to understand evil and violence in art and not avoid it."

Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Carina Lau dine with friends in Cannes

Fan Bingbing
courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Jackie Chan is very happy to meet Pele at a Cannes event

courtesy of mingpao.com

Zhang Ziyi is a member of the Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard jury. While in Cannes she took the chance to enjoy work of different directors. Yesterday she enjoyed Jia Zhangke's film in competition, A TOUCH OF SIN. Afterward she had nothing but praise online. "Not apt at metaphors, Jia Zhangke made an achievement with A TOUCH OF SIN. A group of little people who we have turned a blind eye to emerged in the great era. Thank you Jia Zhangke for displaying film's alternative power!"

She also said, "Today is the third day of the Cannes Film Festival, so far I have watched 6 films, followed 6 directors through 6 different life experience and experienced the heaven, earth and human nature behind the 6 stories. All the styles are different, the rewards are different."

Luo Lanshan, Zhao Tao, Jia Zhangke, Jiang Wu, Wang Baoqiang, Li Meng

The Wenzhou train collision reappears in the film

With the film's sensitive subjects even foreign viewers are reminded of the Foxconn incident

Jia Zhangke and his wife and star Zhao Tao
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Jia Zhangke directed A TOUCH OF SIN was selected for the 66th Cannes Film Festival as the Mainland's only film in competition. Two days ago it premiered in Cannes, the audience and the media's opinions of the film were polarized. Some said that modern China under the cameras of Jia Zhangke was shocking and praised his courage; some said that the film was too long and too bloody and violent to watch.

A TOUCH OF SIN's story connected four Mainland news items, its massive amount of violent and bloody scenes was rare among Mainland films. Jia Zhangkei's earlier film STILL LIFE was "China in transition". Some described his new film A TOUCH OF SIN as "China style explosion", the murder and suicide scenes made an impact as a direct depiction of social reality.

In the film were bloody news stories that happened to civilians. Jiang Wu blew away an account's head with a shotgun, Wang Baoqiang robs and kills, and the female lead Zhao Tao's blood murder scene left deep impression with the audience. A TOUCH OF SIN even touched on sensitive subjects like the Foxconn sweatshop and Wenzhou train crash. Even when foreign viewers saw the worker suicide they could easily make the connection to the Foxconn incident.

After A TOUCH OF SIN's Cannes media screening, some reporters questioned whether the film would be able to pass Mainland inspection due to its massive amount of violence and sensitive subjects; in addition the film did not have a "dragon seal" (Chinese films in overseas film festival competitions all have "dragon seal" to indicate passing inspection and in competition without any violation). They were suspicious that A TOUCH OF SIN has not passed inspection and worried that Jia Zhangke competed in violation of Mainland rules. However, the authorities have said that the film has already passed inspection and received a permit. Because Jia Zhangke was still editing a day or two before the film festival, the "dragon seal" was not placed in time.