A surprise Oscar bid

The poster of Zhang Yimou's latest family drama, Coming Home. Photo provided to China Daily

China selects 'Nightingale' for Oscar race

New film brings Zhang home

Actor-director Jiang Wen, for example, says he would recommend his own new movie, Gone With the Bullets, which he defines as "an adventure, thriller and romance" that develops its storyline from a fictional presidential election in 1920s Shanghai.

The short trailer, released at this year's Cannes Film Festival, features an extravaganza of color, deluxe costumes and dancing plus Jiang's trademark black comedy. Audiences are also looking forward to some artistic profundity, given the director's affection for political metaphor. All of that made the film one of the most anticipated candidates for Oscar entry.

"If I don't get to represent China and go, who will then?" the director jokingly asked earlier.

But Bullets wasn't shown at all before the submission deadline, local media say, so it doesn't qualify for entry.

Chinese officials were also reported to be considering director Diao Yinan's award-winning thriller Black Coal, Thin Ice and ZhangYimou's latest family drama, Coming Home.

Developing its story from a murder case, Black Coal, Thin Ice is arguably China's best art production in 2014. It won both best film and best actor awards during this year's Berlin International Film Festival.

Set during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76), Coming Home features Zhang's signature touch on ordinary lives twisted by social and historical turbulence.

In an interview with the New York Times, film critic Shelly Kraicer said Zhang's take on history conformed with official views and he wouldn't be surprised if it ends up as China's official Oscar entry given Zhang's reputation in the West as one of China's "prime name-brand cultural exports".

Surprisingly, neither Coming Home nor Black Coal, Thin Ice submitted their applications to authorities, Gaungzhou Daily reported.

But an anonymous industry source told Sina Entertainment that officials find Coming Home's touch on the "cultural revolution" still too sensitive and the theme of Black Coal, Thin Ice "too gray".