A still of Lillian Gish

In the film Lumière, written, directed and starred by Jeanne Moreau, she invited French goddesses like Francine Racette to display the position of actresses in the film world in the form of “meta-narrative”. Also, very few people have seen this film, but we highly recommended it.

 

A still of Tristana

Tristana, My New Friends and Manon of the Spring in the “She Is France” section are also must-see movies, in which Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert and Emmanuelle Béart are all indescribably beautiful and striking.

 

A still of My New Friends

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its release, the film The Kingdom has been selected into The Live Theatre, a brand-new section of the Beijing Film Panorama this year. Before the famous "Dogme 95", Lars von Trier, a talented Danish director and the flag-bearer of the movement, put into practice many of the ideas of the "Dogme Manifesto" with this cult classic. At its China premiere, the BJIFF will give surprises to moviegoers. At the screening site of The Kingdom at the UME International Cineplex (Huaxing) on April 23, we will give specially made gifts to all viewers.

 

A still of The Kingdom

As the year 2023 marked the 120th anniversary of the birth of Japanese film master Yasujiro Ozu, six contemporary Japanese directors invited a number of popular actors, such as Kei Tanaka, Tasuku Emoto, Atsuko Maeda, Ryo Narita, and Shizuka Ishibashi, to reinterpret six silent films of Yasujiro Ozu in his early career, including Passing Fancy, I Was Born, But ..., Dragnet Girl, The Lady and the Beard, Woman of Tokyo, and Where Now Are the Dreams of Youth, which were merged into this film OZU.

 

A still of OZU

Other three films by Yasujiro Ozu, including There Was a Father, Record of a Tenement Gentleman, and Floating Weeds, will also be screened in the Tribute & Restoration section. All these films feature the celebrated actor Chishû Ryû, a cherished collaborator of Ozu. Besides, the three films are newly restored in 4K, so this is the best time to watch or re-watch them on the big screen. Among them, There Was a Father and Record of a Tenement Gentleman will premiere in Chinese mainland, while Floating Weeds will make its China premiere.

 

A still of Floating Weeds

The Contract, a masterpiece of the Hui Brothers, focuses on the life status of TV actors. The film restoration was completed by the Digital Restoration Laboratory of China Film Archive in collaboration with Douyin and Volcengine. This screening will be its world premiere.

 

A still of The Contract

Black God, White Devil is hailed by critics as the greatest achievement in Brazilian cinematic history. In 2023, Cinemateca Brasileira carried out a comprehensive 4K restoration of the film, revitalizing this globally significant masterpiece and breathing new life into its historical presence. Noteworthy is the fact that this monumental undertaking by Cinemateca Brasileira signifies a tremendous accomplishment, as it signifies a triumphant resurgence after enduring a 16-month hiatus caused by a devastating fire incident in 2021, despite facing numerous difficulties and challenges along the way.

 

A still of Black God, White Devil

Arturo Ripstein, acclaimed as the "godfather of independent Mexican cinema", once served as an assistant to Luis Buñuel, so his film Deep Crimson is also considered as a masterpiece with authentic Buñuel's style. The film will make its premiere in Chinese mainland.

 

A still of Deep Crimson

Leonora Addio is the swansong for Italian director Paolo Taviani, who left us at the beginning of the year, and is also a film in honor of his brother, Vittorio Taviani. The brothers are famous directors in film history and they won the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice International Film Festival in 1986. The masterpiece is specially screened to bid farewell to two great directors.

 

A still of Leonora Addio

Dìdi (4K) is the debut feature of Chinese American director Sean Wang, which won the Audience Award Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival. The film tells about the youth growth of a Chinese American boy, in which actress Joan Chen played the role of the boy’s mother.

 

A still of Dìdi

La Cocina (4K), directed by Mexican director Alonso Ruizpalacios and starring Rooney Mara, was nominated for the Competition of the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival. Impressive long shots in this film can be compared to those by his predecessor Alejandro González Iñárritu. The film will make its Asian premiere.

 

A still of La Cocina

Big, a new film by director Te-Sheng Wei after seven years, was selected into the BJIFF Beijing Film Panorama at the last minute. The cast is very strong, and Van Fan and Chie Tanaka, the “couple with bad ending” in the director's previous film Cape No. 7, will meet again. The film will premiere in Chinese mainland. We will also bring benefits to fans of this movie. At the screening site of BIG at the Shenying International Cinema on April 21, we will give specially made gifts to all viewers.

 

A still of BIG

The Danish film Birthday Girl is inspired by a true crime event. An exciting cruise becomes a nightmare, and a mother alone pursues justice. This screening will be the China premiere of the film.

 

A still of Birthday Girl

Yôji Yamada once brought his film What A Wonderful Family! 2 to Beijing, touching many moviegoers. His new film Mom, Is That You? to be screened this time is the final chapter of the director’s Mother Trilogy following Kabei: Our Mother and Nagasaki: Memories of My Son. Acclaimed Japanese actress Sayuri Yoshinaga also starred in the film.

 

A still of Mom, Is That You?

Averroès & Rosa Parks is the second film of the “Psychiatric Center Trilogy” by Golden Bear winner Nicolas Philibert, continuing the focus of On the Adamant on mental disorders. The loneliest people in the world are gathered here. Where does it lead to a place for soothing the spirit? The film will make its premiere in Chinese mainland.

 

A still of Averroès & Rosa Parks

Cinéma Laika is probably one of the most amazing movies this year. Finnish film master Aki Kaurismäki and his friends built the town’s cinema in person, and Jim Jarmusch made a surprise appearance!

 

A still of Cinéma Laika

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger are one of the most recognizable and greatest directing duos in the film history, and many of their collaborative works are regularly included in the major lists of the best screenings. As one big name and Powell and Pressburger's most loyal fan, Martin Scorsese made a heartfelt performance in Made in England, giving a vivid film masterclass. The film will make its Asian premiere.

 

A still of Made in England

The BJIFF is coming, so let’s go on a cinematic spree together!

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