The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival opened Saturday at the city’s Grand Theater, with a ceremony that drew Chinese-language stars for the opening red carpet and focused on the human core of film rather than the geopolitical flash that characterized other festivals this year.
Tony Leung Chiu-wai, the chief judge of the Golden Goblet contest, appeared on the red carpet with his wife Karina Lau and fellow judges Dora Bushcha, Guan Hu, Akutan Alim Kubat, Der Kulumbegashvili, Fernanda Valadez and Xin Jirayi.
“I’ve been in many movies and played different roles, but movies are just as fascinating to me,” Leon said. “Through different characters, you experience different lives and different stories.”
A standout moment at the ceremony was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to “Crazy Rich Asians” actor Lisa Lu, who has already celebrated her 100th birthday in the Chinese calendar. The person who introduced her was film legend Joan Chen. He recalled that when Chen first forayed into Hollywood, Lu gifted her a dress to appear on the red carpet. Lu arrived surrounded by director Sherwood Fu and his two daughters, Lucia Fung and Lorette Huang.
“Shanghai is my hometown and the place where my artistic journey began,” Lu said from the stage. “Seeing that there are so many great filmmakers here today, if you have any opportunities in the future, please contact me! I am not retiring, I will continue to be an actor!”
Fifth-generation veteran film director Zhang Yimou has made great contributions to the Chinese Film Awards.
The ceremony began with performers suspended on robotic arms interacting with projections of environments drawn from international and Chinese films, setting the tone for a festival that leans toward artificial intelligence while asserting the irreducible humanity of cinema. Shanghai Vice Mayor Lu Shan, who officially announced the opening of the festival, clearly showed his nervousness.
“We all have to answer that question on the basis that movies are irreplaceable,” Lu said. “From film reels to digital cinema, from live-action filming to AI generation, the language of technology is constantly evolving. But the fundamentals of film remain the same: humans are always at the heart of creation.”
Among the new technology initiatives is an AI backlot section developed by Hailuo AI, where four traditional directors and four AI creators are paired to produce short films, alongside a technology creation and manufacturing unit featuring interactive virtual reality exhibits.
Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh walked the carpet with the cast of “This Is My Time,” a new project directed by Bai Xue and produced by Mue Wen, along with Liu Haoran, Bai Ke, Lina Sa, and Tian Yu. Bona Film Group CEO Yu Dong brings two films associated with Hong Kong director Andrew Lau. One is “Crossing,” starring Liu Ye, Wang Zifei, David Wang, Zhang Li, Li Chen, Cao Bingkun, and Wang Tianchen. “Kashmir Princess” starring Chen Kun and Gao Yuanyuan.
The opening night production was “After Peace,” directed by Keen TK Wong, produced by Derek Yee, and led by Steven Fung and Maioli Wu.
Director Dong Runnian and producer Ying Luojia also brought along the cast of “Make Zhonghe Great Again,” the sequel to “Johnny Keep Walking!” scheduled for release in August. – Carpet includes Zhang Ruoyun, Bai Ke, Gao Ye, Sun Yizhou, David Wang, Li Chen, Tian Yu.
The festival’s main program spans 420 films, including 41 world premieres across the competition categories, and all entries in the Golden Goblet competition and documentary categories are world premieres. Supplementary articles range from retrospectives on Billy Wilder and Ken Loach to Egyptian Film Week and programs commemorating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Additionally, three Light Chaser Animation animations are scheduled for release in the summer: “Three Kingdoms: The Beginning,” “All Wishes Come True!” and “Demon Agent.”
On the youth development front, the festival is expanding its SIFF ING mobile filmmaking camp and opening its SIFF NEXT incubation workshop to the public. Leung and Singaporean director Anthony Cheng will lead a masterclass for budding filmmakers.
The festival will run until June 22nd.
