Core Points - The 9th Pingyao International Film Festival awarded Kim Dong-ho, founder of the Busan International Film Festival, the "Honor for Overseas Contribution to Chinese Cinema" [1] - Chinese films achieved significant recognition in 2025, with awards from the three major European film festivals: Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival for "The Land of Living" by Huo Meng, Special Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for "Wild Times" by Bi Gan, and Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for "The Sun Hanging in the Sky" by Cai Shangjun [3] - The festival also recognized several films and directors, including "Sunset Red" by Miao Zhuangzhuang, which won the newly established "Asia-Pacific Film Promotion Award - Best Debut" [3][5] Awards and Honors - Kim Dong-ho received the "Honor for Overseas Contribution to Chinese Cinema" at the festival [1] - Huo Meng, Bi Gan, and Cai Shangjun were awarded "Annual Filmmaker Honors" for their contributions to cinema [3] - "Deep Silence," directed by Taiwanese filmmaker Shen Keshang, won the "Fei Mu Honor - Best Film" [5] Notable Films and Directors - "The Land of Living" by Huo Meng won Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival [3] - "Wild Times" by Bi Gan received a Special Prize at the Cannes International Film Festival [3] - "The Sun Hanging in the Sky" by Cai Shangjun won Best Actress at the Venice International Film Festival [3] - "Sunset Red" by Miao Zhuangzhuang won the "Asia-Pacific Film Promotion Award - Best Debut" [3][5] - "The World's Master" by Korean director Yoon Ga-eun received the "Roberto Rossellini Honor - Jury Honor" [5]

Core Insights - This year is considered a "big year" for Chinese cinema, with multiple directors achieving international recognition for their latest works [1][5][9] Group 1: Film Festival Highlights - The 9th Pingyao International Film Festival showcased several notable films, including the Chinese premieres of "Day Hanging in the Sky" and "Wild Era" [1][5] - "Day Hanging in the Sky," directed by Cai Shangjun and starring Xin Zhilei, quickly sold out after its premiere, becoming one of the festival's highlights [1][5] - The festival featured a discussion among award-winning directors Bi Gan, Cai Shangjun, and Huo Meng, emphasizing the creativity of Chinese filmmakers despite challenging industry conditions [1][5][9] Group 2: Director and Actor Insights - Xin Zhilei expressed that receiving recognition at the Pingyao festival was more nerve-wracking than winning at Venice, highlighting the importance of domestic validation [3] - Director Cai Shangjun praised Xin Zhilei's performance, noting her ability to portray complex characters and emotions [3][4] - The film "Day Hanging in the Sky" explores themes of humanity, morality, and redemption through a seven-year emotional journey set in Guangzhou [3][4] Group 3: International Recognition - Xin Zhilei's performance in "Day Hanging in the Sky" earned her the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival, while Huo Meng won Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival for "The Land of Living" [5][8] - The film "Wild Era" received special recognition at the Cannes Film Festival, showcasing the growing international presence of Chinese cinema [5][8] Group 4: Future of Chinese Cinema - The international film community expressed optimism about the future of Chinese cinema, noting an increase in submissions to international festivals post-pandemic [8][9] - The diversity of styles and themes in this year's Chinese films reflects a vibrant creative landscape, with directors focusing on both personal and societal issues [9]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the success of actress Xin Zhilei, who won the Best Actress award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival for her role in the film "Day Hanging in the Sky," emphasizing her exceptional portrayal of the character Meiyun and the film's deep emotional narrative [1][10]. Summary by Sections Film Overview - "Day Hanging in the Sky" features Meiyun, a female boss in a Guangzhou clothing wholesale market, who navigates the pressures of life and emotional entanglements, brought to life by Xin Zhilei's nuanced performance [3][7]. - The film showcases various locations in Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Shaoguan, integrating the unique cultural essence of Lingnan into its narrative [6][11]. Narrative Structure - The story unfolds around Meiyun's hidden conflicts stemming from a past incident where she was involved in a hit-and-run, leading to her partner Baoshu taking the blame and serving time in prison. This creates a complex emotional web involving Meiyun, Baoshu, and another character, Qifeng [7][8]. - The film's title, derived from a classic Cantonese opera, symbolizes the peaks and valleys of emotional experiences, reflecting the characters' struggles and desires for understanding and solace [8][10]. Directorial Style - The film adopts a slow narrative pace, with significant character development occurring over the first forty minutes, which some viewers may find tedious. However, this aligns with director Cai Shangjun's style, characterized by a documentary-like realism [9][10]. - The dialogue in the film is rich and meaningful, contributing to character development and emotional depth, as seen in the interactions between Baoshu and Meiyun [9][10]. Performance Highlights - Xin Zhilei's performance is noted for its emotional depth, particularly in a scene where her character experiences a moment of pain and reflection, showcasing her ability to convey complex emotions without dialogue [10][13]. - Zhang Songwen's portrayal of Baoshu complements Xin's performance, adding layers to the narrative through his nuanced delivery [10][13]. Cultural Significance - The film serves as a representation of Southern women's stories and highlights the importance of grounded storytelling in cinema, demonstrating that subtle narratives can resonate on an international stage [13][14]. - The film's authentic depiction of Lingnan culture and everyday life allows global audiences to connect with the characters and their experiences, emphasizing the film's broader cultural relevance [11][13].

Core Viewpoint - The 82nd Venice International Film Festival highlighted the achievements of Chinese female filmmakers, with Xin Zhilei winning the Best Actress award, marking a significant moment for Chinese representation in global cinema [1][2]. Group 1: Achievements of Chinese Female Filmmakers - Xin Zhilei became the first Chinese mainland actress to win the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival, showcasing her powerful performance in "The Sun Rises on Us All" [1]. - Shu Qi, another prominent figure, made her directorial debut with "Girl," which was nominated for the prestigious Golden Lion award, reflecting the evolving roles of women in the film industry [1][2]. - Zhao Tao served as a judge at the festival, representing a connection between past and present generations of Chinese female filmmakers [2]. Group 2: The Concept of "Heart Power" - The article introduces the concept of "Heart Power," which encompasses the spiritual energy, will, emotions, and beliefs of individuals, positioning these filmmakers as super individuals within this framework [4]. - Zhao Tao's "Heart Power" is described as the foundation of this narrative, representing the silent resilience of women through two decades of societal change in China [5][10]. - Shu Qi's journey reflects an inward transformation, where her personal experiences are integrated into her artistic expression, demonstrating a shift towards self-healing and creative empowerment [11][14][16]. Group 3: Generational Representation - The three actresses represent different paradigms of "Heart Power": Zhao Tao embodies the "Rock Heart Power," Shu Qi represents the "Alchemy Heart Power," and Xin Zhilei exemplifies the "Blade Heart Power" [3][24]. - Xin Zhilei's approach is characterized by a bold and aggressive pursuit of success, showcasing a new generation of women who are unafraid to confront challenges head-on [18][22]. - The evolution of these actresses illustrates a broader narrative of the spiritual strength of Chinese women from the 70s and 80s, forming a vibrant lineage of resilience and creativity [25][26].

Core Insights - The film "Day Hanging in the Sky" has won the Best Actress award for Xin Zhilei at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, highlighting Guangzhou's growing influence in the film industry [1] - Guangzhou is positioning itself as a cultural hub for the film industry, supported by favorable government policies and a rich historical context [1][3] Industry Development - The Guangdong government has introduced six major policy packages to promote high-quality development in the cultural industry, including a maximum of 20 million yuan in support for film projects [1][3] - The "Guangdong Film Policy 15 Articles" provides comprehensive support throughout the entire film production process, from script development to distribution [3][4] Company Initiatives - Guangzhou Mint Candy Film Co., the producer of "Day Hanging in the Sky," has received significant support from local authorities, which has been crucial for the film's production [3][4] - The establishment of the Guangdong Film Comprehensive Service Platform aims to provide one-stop services for film projects, enhancing the ease of doing business in the region [4][5] Regional Advantages - The film industry in Guangzhou's Zengcheng district is thriving, with around 700 film-related enterprises contributing to a robust industry ecosystem [6] - Zengcheng's strategic location and favorable policies have attracted numerous film companies, leading to a projected box office revenue of over 2.2 billion yuan from local productions in 2024 [6] Infrastructure and Support - The 1978 Film Town in Zengcheng has transformed from an old sugar factory into a creative hub for short films, offering various filming environments and support for production [7] - The local film association provides extensive assistance to filmmakers, including location coordination and cultural integration, enhancing the attractiveness of the region for film production [7]

Core Points - The 82nd Venice International Film Festival concluded on September 6, 2023, with Chinese actress Xin Zhilei winning the Best Actress award for her performance in "Day Hanging in the Sky," making her the second Chinese actress to achieve this honor after Gong Li and the first "post-80s" actress from China to win at one of the three major European film festivals [1][3] - Xin Zhilei expressed her gratitude and pride in her achievement, encouraging others to pursue their dreams boldly [3] - The film "Day Hanging in the Sky," directed by Cai Shangjun, focuses on the fate of ordinary people and features a slow narrative with strong performances [3] Film Industry Insights - The festival showcased a variety of films, with notable entries including "The Girl," directed by Shu Qi, which received positive reviews but did not win any awards [4] - The festival's top honor, the Golden Lion, was awarded to "Brother and Sister" directed by Jim Jarmusch, while the Jury Grand Prize went to "The Voice of Hind al-Rajab" [5][6] - The competition was described as "unfair" by the jury president Alexander Payne, highlighting the difficulty in selecting winners from a strong lineup of 21 films [6] - Other notable awards included Best Newcomer for "Silent Friends," Best Actor for Toni Servillo in "Grace," and Best Screenplay for "The Pen" directed by Valérie Donzelli [7]

Group 1 - Chinese films have achieved significant recognition at major international film festivals in 2023, including awards for "The Land of the Living" at the Berlin International Film Festival, "Wild Times" at the Cannes Film Festival, and "Daytime Hanging" at the Venice Film Festival [1] - The Venice Film Festival has historically been a favorable platform for Chinese cinema, with renowned directors like Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee, and Hou Hsiao-hsien winning prestigious awards, particularly during Marco Müller’s tenure as chairman [3] - Despite the recent surge in box office success for Chinese films, there has been a relative quietness in terms of artistic achievements at major international festivals, with the last award for a Chinese film at Venice being in 2019 [3] Group 2 - Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, Chinese films have gained international attention through European film festivals, with notable films like "Red Sorghum" and "Farewell My Concubine" winning awards and enhancing the global profile of Chinese actors [4] - The new generation of filmmakers, represented by directors like Bi Gan and Wei Shujun, has been increasingly recognized at major film festivals, showcasing the potential and talent of young Chinese filmmakers [4] - Recent short films from Chinese directors have won multiple awards at Cannes, indicating a strong reserve of talent and creativity among the younger generation in the Chinese film industry [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the achievement of Chinese actress Xin Zhilei, who won the Best Actress award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival for her performance in the film "Day Hanging in the Sky" [1]. Summary by Sections Film and Awards - "Day Hanging in the Sky," directed by Cai Shangjun, features Xin Zhilei alongside Zhang Songwen and Feng Shaofeng, telling a tragic story of former lovers reuniting after many years in a southern city [1]. - Xin Zhilei is the third Chinese actress to win the Best Actress award at the Venice International Film Festival, following Gong Li and Deanie Ip [1]. Personal Achievements - Xin Zhilei expressed her dreams of becoming an international star during her acceptance speech, encouraging young girls to pursue their dreams boldly [1]. - She was born in 1986 in Hegang, Heilongjiang Province, and graduated from the Central Academy of Drama, with notable works including "Embroidered Spring Knife," "Blossoms," "Joy of Life," and "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace" [1]. Previous Recognition - In 2016, Xin Zhilei starred in "The Yangtze River" which was the only Chinese film nominated for the main competition at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival [2]. - In 2023, she won the lead actor award at the 32nd Shanghai White Magnolia Drama Performance Arts Award for her solo performance in "Initial Evidence" [2].

Core Points - The 82nd Venice Film Festival awarded the Best Actress award to Xin Zhilei for her performance in the film "Day Hanging in the Sky" [1][5][7] - Xin Zhilei expressed her gratitude during her acceptance speech, emphasizing the importance of dreams and encouraging young women to pursue their aspirations [3][5] - Xin Zhilei is the third Chinese actress to win the Volpi Cup, following Gong Li and Deanie Ip, and the sixth to receive the Best Actress honor at one of the three major European film festivals [3][7] Film Details - "Day Hanging in the Sky" is directed by Cai Shangjun and features actors Xin Zhilei, Zhang Songwen, and Feng Shaofeng, telling the story of former lovers reuniting and confronting their past [7][11] - Despite some criticism of the film's storyline being perceived as clichéd, the performances of Xin Zhilei and Zhang Songwen were well-received by audiences and critics [3][7] - Xin Zhilei's portrayal of the character Meiyun, a complex and relatable ordinary woman, was highlighted as a key factor in her winning the award [7][11] Background on Xin Zhilei - Xin Zhilei, born in 1986 in Heilongjiang Province, graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and has appeared in notable works such as "The Painted Skin" and "Nirvana in Fire" [11] - She gained recognition in 2016 when her film "The Yangtze River" was nominated for the main competition at the Berlin International Film Festival and won the Silver Bear [11] - Xin Zhilei has become a prominent figure in the fashion industry, collaborating with brands like Chanel and Montblanc, and is seen as having a promising future in her career [11]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the achievement of Chinese actress Xin Zhilei, who won the Best Actress award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival for her performance in the film "Day Hanging in the Sky," marking a significant milestone for Chinese actresses on the international stage [2][4]. Group 1: Xin Zhilei's Career Progression - Xin Zhilei, born in 1986 in Heilongjiang, China, faced a long journey in the entertainment industry, transitioning from minor roles to a leading actress over more than a decade [5][7]. - Her breakthrough came in 2011 with the role of a blind woman in the fantasy drama "Painted Skin," which helped her gain recognition [5]. - A pivotal moment in her career was in 2016 when she starred in "The Yangtze River" which was nominated for the main competition at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival and won the Silver Bear award [5][7]. Group 2: Recent Achievements and Recognition - Xin Zhilei's performance in "Day Hanging in the Sky" was praised for its emotional depth, leading to her winning the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival, a recognition that had not been awarded to a Chinese actress since Gong Li in 1992 [2][4]. - She has also gained popularity through various roles in acclaimed films and series, such as "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace" and "Joy of Life," which expanded her visibility in the industry [7][9]. - Beyond acting, Xin Zhilei has successfully ventured into theater, earning the Best Actress award at the 32nd Shanghai White Magnolia Drama Performance Arts Awards for her role in the play "Initial Evidence" [9]. Group 3: Fashion and Brand Collaborations - Xin Zhilei's distinctive look and fashion sense have made her a sought-after figure for luxury brands, including Chanel and Montblanc, enhancing her profile in the fashion industry [9]. - Her recent appearance on the cover of Vogue alongside other actresses signifies her rising status and influence in both the film and fashion sectors [5][9].