My Friend An Delie
Directed and written by Dong Zijian, starring Liu Haoran and Dong Zijian, My Friend An Delie is adapted from the novel of the same name by Shuang Xuetao. The film tells the story of Li Mo and An Delie, who, despite their contrasting personalities, become close friends through football. However, an accident causes An Delie to disappear from Li Mo's memory. Years later, Li Mo unexpectedly encounters An Delie while attending his father's funeral, only to find that their lives have undergone immense changes. Through their reunion, the film reveals the themes of friendship, memory, and growth.
At the post-screening event on the evening of December 8, director Dong Zijian gave an emotional sharing on the theme of "loss" in the film: "Since birth, people have been constantly facing loss and separation. We need to gradually learn how to cope with this loss and separation, which is also one of the important parts of life. Perhaps there are some things we ultimately cannot let go of or reconcile with, but there is no need to force ourselves. As long as we do not look back in our memories and keep moving forward, I believe we will definitely find our own patch of sunlight."
Pavane For An Infant
Pavane For An Infant is a film focusing on social issues and the depth of human nature. During the post-screening session on the evening of December 8, director Chong Keat Aun shared the creative story behind the film. Through the symbolic space of a Malaysian baby hatch, the film materializes women's struggles and helplessness, leaving behind a footnote of the times.
As a director deeply influenced by his cultural background, Chong Keat Aun possesses profound observations and reflections on the state of individual lives amidst Malaysia's diverse religions and customs.
The Speedway Murders
The Speedway Murders is an innovative documentary that explores the truth through dramatic re-enactments from the perspective of the victims attempting to solve their own cases. Blending documentary and drama, the film uncovers details and reconstructs the background of the cases at the time through in-depth conversations with the victims' families.
At the post-screening event on December 9, the two directors and screenwriters Luke Lundman and Adam Kamien were present to share behind-the-scenes stories. The directors first shared the origin of the creation: as early as 2017, this unsolved case caught their attention, so the two decided to make a documentary based on it. In addition, they shared details about the background score, which closely matches the plot's fluctuations. For instance, when communicating with the composer, they had to specifically emphasize the timing of the music insertion. In some segments, the absence of the score instead creates a gloomy atmosphere of "silence speaking louder than words," while at other times, intense and dynamic background sounds are needed to enhance the thrilling and stimulating viewing experience of the film.
Family Sketch
The suspense feature Family Sketch, starring Zu Feng and Guo Keyu and directed by Lin Jianjie, also made its appearance today (December 9). The film stood out at the 4th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) Project Market, winning the Best Work-in-Progress Award, and received the Most Promising Director and Most Promising Artistic Contribution honors at the 14th Beijing International Film Festival this year. The film primarily focuses on a middle-class family of three that is materially affluent but emotionally distant. After an accidental injury incident, the family's only son, Tu Wei, befriends Yan Shuo, who comes from a poor background. As their interactions deepen, Yan Shuo's presence subtly alters the relationships among the family members.
During the post-screening session, producers Lou Ying and Wang Yiwen, and actor Sun Xilun shared the creative process and character development of the film with the audience. Wang Yiwen mentioned that she had collaborated with director Lin Jianjie as early as his university days when he was shooting short films, and was attracted by his meticulous creative attitude towards the script. The film presented this time is filled with the craftsmanship and dedication of the creative team from script polishing to the casting process. Every detail is dedicated to showcasing the complexity of family relationships and expressing profound themes of human nature and emotional tension. The creative team hopes that after the film's release, it will touch the hearts of more audiences while also demonstrating a new exploration of Chinese-language cinema in the family suspense genre.
Holy Electricity
The Georgian feature film Holy Electricity tells the amusing adventure of the young protagonist Gonga and his cousin Bat after they accidentally discover a suitcase full of rusty crosses in a garbage dump. The film premiered at the 77th Locarno Film Festival, winning Best Film and the Youth Jury Award in the Concorso Cineasti del Presente section. This screening at HIIFF also marks the film's debut in Asia.
During the post-screening session today (December 9), director Tato Kotetishvili shared the sources of inspiration and unique style behind the film's creation. He hopes to portray real people and backgrounds through a fictional story, using Georgia as an inspiration to explore the deep connections between individuals and their community. The setting of supporting characters is particularly important; all characters seem to come from the same community, sketching out the real life of the suburbs through点滴 details. The director chose fixed camera positions and natural lighting, which not only simplified the filming process but also created a documentary-like realism, enhancing the audience's immersion. The film incorporates local cultural symbols, such as music and singing at the dining table, showcasing the local customs and practices of Georgia.
78 Days
For the Serbian film 78 Days, screened today (December 9), two core creators, Milica Gicic and Tamara Gajovic, both main actresses in the film, were present at the venue. 78 Days is a delicate film focusing on sisterly affection. They have been using a home video camera to capture the beautiful moments in life until one day, a mysterious brother and sister become their neighbors, and the story begins to take a subtle turn.
An audience member asked the creators how they viewed the sisterly bond and the mother character in the film. They believed that the mother in the film is both a typical maternal figure in the Balkans and shares many common traits with mothers elsewhere in the world. Although she may appear rather strict or even cold at times, this is necessary for her to protect all members of the family from harm. Meanwhile, the two actresses also mentioned that despite having no blood relation in real life, they developed a close bond closer than real sisters after filming this movie.
"Golden Coconut Awards" Short Film Compilation 2
At today's (December 9) post-screening Q&A for the Golden Coconut Awards short film nominees, Yoshiro Hosaka, director of The Bride Who Rides A Sleigh, along with producer Nobuhiro Awata and co-producer Lin Xinyu, came together to share the story behind the creation. Bruce Venida, who drew attention for his brilliant performance in Vox Humana, shared his acting insights at the event. Catriona Roger Gallagher, director of Daphne Was A Torso Ending in Leaves, and producer Christos Bourantas attended and shared the filming process. Federica Caffelata, director of Summit Song, assistant director Faustina Van Tieren, and producer Ernest Gallardo Montenegro made an appearance and shared their filming experiences.
HIIFF Open-Air Screenings
Today, the Open-Air Screenings section continued to present a cinematic feast for audiences at the Xiahaikou Beach on Honglong Street, Tianya Town, Maling Community in Sanya; the summit of Luhuitou Scenic Area; the rooftop pool of Kangnian Hotel; the China Media Group Sanya Base; Summer Station; Haikou Century Cape Commercial Street; and the Cultural Square of Lingshui Li Autonomous County. Ranging from the satirical comedy Main Competition and the documentary My Name Is Li Xinjie, to the black humors of No End and Private Custom, and the mythological epic Havoc in Heaven (Part 2). These films feature vastly different styles, encompassing both reality-grounded emotional stories and magnificent scenes full of imagination, providing audiences with rich audio-visual experiences and profound emotional resonances, and showcasing the diverse charm of cinema.
