The 7th Beijing International Film Festival opened on Sunday, April 16, with Chinese celebrities seen savoring their moments on the red carpet. Among the actors spotted were the key actors of “The Monkey King 3.”
Celebrity Spottings
Cast members of the upcoming film photographed on the red carpet are Lin Chi-ling, Him Law, Xiao Shenyang, Zhao Liying and Aaron Kwok. Also spotted on the red carpet were actress Guan Xiaotong, director Raman Hui of “Monster Hunt 2,” director Chan Muk-Sing of “Meow,” producer Osamu Fujita, actress Nozomi Sasaki and director Toshira Siaga, child star Cui Yahan and actor Cheng Yi of “The Big Rescue,” China.org reported.
Prominent directors from different parts of the world also took part in the red carpet moment. Likewise seen on the red carpet was Danish filmmaker Bille August, the chairman of the filmfest’s Tiantan Awards, and the six other members of the jury.
The festival attracted 424 entries from 59 nations and regions. The jury had five rounds of selection to pick the 15 movies from 19 countries that would compete for the Tiantan Awards. The winners would be named at the closing ceremony on April 23.
Picking a Winner
August said he has no fixed criterion for a good movie. Picking a winner involves avoiding bias by keeping an open mind about the entries. “Watching a film is a pleasant experience. It can make our souls as pure as children. Whatever touches your heart is a good film,” he explained.
Because of the ongoing China ban on Hallyu due to the THAAD issue, the Korean Film Council did not open a promotional booth over safety concerns. There is also talk of alleged cancellation of invitations for the screening of some Korean movies in the BIFF. But Ai Dongyuan, vice secretary of the festival organizing committee, insisted that movies picked were selected based on merit and not on what country it came from, NewsOK reported.