For the first time since 1992, China had no movies or jurors at the 69th Cannes International Film Festival which started on Wednesday, May 11.
However, a few Chinese celebrities walked on the red carpet. They include actors Gong Li, Li Bingbing and Ni, reported China.org. Gong Li, who wore a white gown, attended the premiere of “Café Society” and the Opening Night Gala held at the Palais des Festivals.
But there were a few co-productions by Chinese filmmakers with foreigners. Among them is “Time Raiders” by director Daniel Lee. The film co-stars Jing Boran and Ma Sichun. It was written by novelist Xu Lei, adapted from his other work “Grave Robbers’ Chronicles.”
Meanwhile, Jia Zhangke, a renowned Chinese director, is a mentor at the eighth edition of the World Cinema Workshop. It is organized by the festival and the Film Market by the Institut Francais with France Media Monde and the International Organisation of La Francophonie.
Chinese director Johnnie To was supposed to compete in Cannes and serve as juror, but he failed to finish the final editing of the movie. Another director, Yan Chao, joined his movie “Crosscurrents” instead at the Berlin International Film Festival where his masterpiece competed in the main competition section.
AOL Entertainment reported the outrageous outfits worn by the stars in the film festival. It listed Russian TV personality Elena Lenina as the standout because of her wild looks from head to toe. Lenina has sky-high hair matched with bright, wild dresses.