Yulu
China / 2011 / 88min.
Dir. JIA Zhang-ke, TAN Chui-mui, CHEN Tao, CHEN Zhi-heng, SONG Fang, WANG Zi-zhao, WEI Tie
[Introduction]
Producer JIA Zhangke has appointed 6 young directors such as Malaysian auteur TAN Chui-mui, director of "Year Without A Summer" and SONG Fang who starred in HOU Hsiao-hsien's "Flight of the Red Balloon" to this omnibus documentary. JIA Zhangke himself directs two episodes. 12 people in a variety of fields such as an entrepreneur, a dancer, a journalist, a fashion designer, an artist, a classical opera actor, a social activist, a folk singer, etc. each relate before the camera their personal experience of how they overcame hardships, which in turn highlights China's current situation. This can be described as a work with the technique of "I Wish I Knew" applied to modern China. YU Likwai, frequent collaborator on JIA Zhangke's films, handles the cinematography, all shot with the Canon EOS 5D digital SLR. The music is by LIN Chiang of "The World" and "Still Life" fame. Screened at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival, and Busan International Film Festival among others.
JIA Zhang-ke
Born 1970. Made directorial debut with "Xiao Wu" (97). Other works include "Platform" (00), "Unknown Pleasures" (02), "The World" (04), and "Still Life" (06).
TAN Chui-mui
Born 1978 in Malaysia. Debut film, "Love Conquers All" (06) has won awards at Busan, Rotterdam, etc. Directed second feature "Year Without A Summer" in 2010.
CHEN Tao
Graduated from Bejing Film Academy. Directed the short film, "Way Out" in 2007 which won Second Prize in the Cinefondation at Cannes.
CHEN Zhi-heng
Studied film at La Sorbonne in France after graduating from Chinese Academy of Drama's directing program. His short film "Belgian Chocolates" screened at the Asiana Short Film Festival.
SONG Fang
Studied film directing at INSAS in Belgium. Directed the short film "Goodbye" in 2008 which won the Grand Prix in the Asian short film & video competition at the International Women's Film Festival in Seoul and Second Prize in the Cinefondation at Cannes.
WANG Zi-zhao
Graduated Bejing Film Academy in 2010. Graduation short "Repair" received high praise at foreign and domestic film festivals. Other shorts include "Martin," "Rock You," and "Dauntless Man."
WEI Tie
Graduated from Beijing Film Academy. Feature debut "Distance" screened at Busan International Film Festival's New Currents in 2006. His 2009 documentary "School" screened at Cinema du Reel.