On the afternoon of the 21st, the chairman of the International Award Committee of the 15th Beijing Film Festival "Tao of Heaven Award" and Chinese director and actor Jiang Wen led the Chinese director and actor Chen Chong, British director David Yetz, Chinese actor Ni Ni, Finnish director Temu Nicki, Swiss director and actor Vincent Perez, and Hong Kong art director Ye Jintian, six judges appeared at the media meeting.

　　In Jiang Wen's opinion, making movies is like making magic. This time, the judges will explore the creative skills of 15 shortlisted films in the main competition unit with a professional perspective. "A few of us are making magic, and we are often in the backstage, knowing how it changes, and we can see what's behind the movie."

　　Jiang Wen: The most terrifying thing about movies is that they are all very similar

　　The "Tao of Heaven Award" of this year's Beijing Film Festival received a total of 1,794 feature films from 103 countries and regions, an increase of 18.9% from 1,509 last year. The number of countries and regions that have registered has set a record, with 1,608 videos registered abroad, accounting for nearly 90%. In the end, 15 works were shortlisted for the competition unit, including 12 foreign films including "The Trial of Frida", "In My Parents' House", "The Pause of Love", as well as three domestic films: "Okay", "Ruyi Hotel" and "The Wind Kill".

　　Jiang Wen believes that watching movies is subjective. "Whoever watches movies is actually watching himself, and what he expresses and comments are all about himself." Therefore, he advises not to comment on a movie casually, "because everyone watches differently." However, Jiang Wen also admitted that compared to ordinary audiences, the ones sitting on the stage are all professionals in the film field. "Ordinary audiences watch magic just to watch a Le'er. Our brothers are magicians, and we can see what's behind the movie."

　　Jiang Wen doesn't want to rely on his seniority to share his experience. He truly believes that new power must be included in the film field. Even a filmmaker who is already very professional should keep making movies with new methods or new moods. "In fact, everyone wants to watch movies just to watch something new, but it's boring to be old." He was very disgusted with the same creation. "I think the most terrifying thing about movies is that they are very similar. Pretend to be extraordinarily talented and professional, but they are actually very similar. If young people come in, it's best not to look like the original movies."

　　Chen Chong is not only an actor, but also a director and writer. For her, finding new expressions is the most important thing, and film, as the most comprehensive art form, can accommodate almost all other arts and emotional experiences such as human beauty, ugliness, love and hate. What she admires is a breakthrough work, "Just like when you watch a movie together this time, you will be moved by any of the things you don't seem to have seen before."

　　In 2023, the suspense film "The Lost Her" starring Ni Ni was shortlisted for the "Tao of Heaven Award" of the main competition unit of the 13th Beijing International Film Festival. This year she has become one of the judges of the "Tao of Heaven Award". "I think for any actor, the works he participated in are nominated for a film festival as excellent as the Beijing International Film Festival, which is a great recognition and affirmation. I am sure I am very happy and glorious, and it is a feeling of being affirmed." Ni Ni said that as an actor, she has always hoped to try different types of movies and roles. "This will keep me fresh and enthusiastic about this profession. Different types of roles need to do a lot of homework, which will allow me to listen, observe, watch, and learn more. I hope my life will be vivid."

　　Temu Niki: It's very lucky to win the award at the Beijing Film Festival

　　When he heard that the Harry Potter series was screened at the Beijing Film Festival, it was hard to get a ticket. Director David Yets was very happy. "Thank you very much for the enthusiasm of Chinese movie fans." He was very surprised by the imagination shown by Chinese movies. "I think you need to stick to this point and to stick to these authenticities." At the same time, he believes that good movies also need to tell the common human nature of mankind, such as love and torture towards hatred, and also the optimism maintained by mankind.

　　In 2022, Taimu Niki won three awards, including the best film in the main competition unit of the 12th Beijing International Film Festival, for the movie "A Blind Man Who Does Not Want to Watch "Titanic"; in 2024, he was shortlisted for the "Taiwan of Heaven Award" in the main competition unit of the 14th Beijing International Film Festival, and won the Best Music Award and Best Supporting Actor Award. "I think my life has become better after winning the Beijing Film Festival awards." He said happily that it was very fortunate to be able to win the Beijing Film Festival. "If I hadn't won this award, I wouldn't be able to come back here again."

　　Vincent Perez attracted international attention for starring in the movie "The Big Nose Love Saint" in 1990 and the movie "Fangfang" collaborated with Sophie Marceau in 1993. "So far, I am deeply impressed by the scale and organization of the Beijing Film Festival." He revealed that he admired Jiang Wen's movie 20 years ago. "I am also very excited to see more movies in Beijing. I hope to dig deeper and reflect on the human nature from the world we feel in the movies."

　　Ye Jintian revealed that the jury has watched 5 shortlisted movies. "What is very happy is that these directors are telling stories sincerely, with a technical maturity and a little bit of a very new type of industrial film. We are looking forward to seeing more creative, forward-looking, and new discoveries about the world and human nature." (Beijing Evening News reporter Wang Jinyue)

[Editor in charge: Tang Wei]