Chinese film a hit at Berlin Festival

Diao Yinan (R) director of "Bai Ri Yan Huo" (Black Coal, Thin Ice) poses with his Golden Bear for Best Film next to actor Liao Fan (L) who poses with his Silver Bear for Best Actor during a news conference after the awards ceremony of the 64th Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin February 15, 2014.[Photo/Agencies]

 

Chinese film 'Black Coal, Thin Ice' wins Golden Bear in 64th Berlinale

Chinese film 'Black Coal, Thin Ice' screens in Berlin

Diao graduated from China's Central Academy of Drama in 1992 and has directed two films of his own, Uniform in 2003 and Night Train in 2007, which premiered at the Cannes.

"I felt really spaced out," Liao Fan said after winning the award. "When I saw the movie I was not so sure about award winning. But I felt assured because I watched it so carefully without any distraction, and I think I had done whatever I could to express whatever I wanted to express with it."

"I'd expected the Chinese films to do really well and Black Coal, Thin Ice is very good," Berlin bureau chief for the Hollywood Reporter, Scott Roxborough told Reuters.

"We are seeing Chinese cinema becoming more cinematically adept, not so overtly political. Chinese filmmakers are more confident, more open to the world," Roxborough said.

The Berlin International Film Festival had presented the Golden and Silver Bear to a number of distinguished Chinese productions and actors/actresses, including Red Sorghum, directed by Zhang Yimou, and The Wedding Banquet, directed by Ang Lee and actress Maggie Cheung.

"There's a lot going on in China these days, some of it more absurd than anything you might find in a novel or film. It's not unusual for artists to find that kind of real-life absurdity getting tangled up with the truths they're reaching for in their work. The ways that truth and absurdity get tangled together open up endless possibilities, which I find very attractive and fascinating," Diao said.

Black Coal, Thin Ice has yet to be released in China. Chinese media reported that the movie had already received a government permit and will be shown in the first half of the year.

Raymond Zhou, Liu Wei and Xinhua contributed to this story.

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