"Since the invention of cinema, the human lifespan has been at least three times longer than before."

Through movies, we can get infinite life experiences, and enter one after another dreams across the boundary of time and space. From imagination to reality, every film creator injects creativity and passion into works, touching countless audiences. To learn about behind-the-scenes stories and explore the mysteries of classic works, the BJIFF Workshop & Masterclass will be held, aiming to build a platform for the exchange and interaction between moviegoers and film masters.

Promotional video of the BJIFF Workshop & Masterclass

At this year's BJIFF Workshop & Masterclass, we’re honored to invite three world-renowned filmmaking masters -- Emir Kusturica, Serbian director, screenwriter and actor, Ann Hui, director and executive producer from Hong Kong, China, and Joan Chen, actress, director and screenwriter. The three filmmakers as keynote speakers will share their filmmaking experience and insights, and embark on a journey of film art together with moviegoers.

▍ Emir Kusturica: Fantastic journey of a surrealist

Emir Kusturica is well-known for his unique film language and profound social observation perspective. Till now, he has directed a number of thought-provoking feature films, among which a few were awarded at three major European film festivals, demonstrating his deep understanding of film art and keen capture of social issues. In 1981, Kusturica made his debut at the international platform and won the Silver Lion and FIPRESCI Prize at the 38th Venice International Film Festival for his first feature film Do You Remember Dolly Bell?.

Kusturica wins the Golden Palm at Festival de Cannes

Kusturica's films have perfectly interpreted the culture and history of the Balkan Peninsula with his unique perspectives, and skillfully combined the careful observation of realism with fantasy elements of surrealism, presenting a meaningful image scroll painting to the audience. In Underground, one of his representative works winning the Golden Palm at the Festival de Cannes, he showcased the cruelty of war and its destruction of humanity with a strong realistic approach, and depicted a fantasy scene of the land separation with magic realism, reflecting people's longing for freedom and peace.

A still of Underground

The Emir Kusturica Workshop & Masterclass will fully analyze the aesthetic style of his films, discuss how he has displayed the close connection between individuals and the nation by means of film art, and feel the profound social significance and humanistic thinking behind those surreal frames.

▍Ann Hui: Shaping "her" in the cinematic world

Ann Hui, born in Anshan, Liaoning province, is a famous director and executive producer from Hong Kong, China, and a pioneer auteur of the Hong Kong New Wave film movement. With the realistic style and delicate lens, her works are concerned about women's fate, social reality and human struggle, and are widely acclaimed in the international film circles with poetic realism and sincere humanistic care.

Ann Hui at filming site

She has worked on various genres, such as thriller, light comedy, literary adaptation, martial arts film, and documentary. Her first feature film Crazy Disaster was adapted from a real murder case taking place in Hong Kong in a thriller way, laying a realistic tone for her works. Boat People, which pays attention to the situation of Vietnamese refugees, won five awards at the 2nd Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay. She likes to walk on the streets of Hong Kong, China and observe people and things in the city. Therefore, her works like Summer Snow, The Way We Are and A Simple Life turned the camera to the grassroots of the city, and placed particular emphasis on women's destiny and emotions in real life, which deeply reflected social changes and people's way of living in Hong Kong, China. Her works have been shortlisted for Berlin, Venice and other international film festivals, and earned her Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Director for six times. In 2020, Ann was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 77th Venice International Film Festival, becoming the world’s first female director winning this honor.

Ann Hui receives her Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice International Film Festival 

The Ann Hui Workshop & Masterclass will invite the audience to touch the delicate emotional texture in her works, and deeply discuss unique life and creative experiences from a woman's perspective by following the director's lens.

▍ Joan Chen: Cinematic Diary by an Excellent Actress and Director 

Joan Chen is a Chinese-language actress, director, and screenwriter. With her excellent acting skills, she has played many classic roles in the international film industry. In 1997, she started her career as a director, becoming later a globally acclaimed filmmaker who won international awards in both acting and directing fields.

Joan Chen in a still of "The Last Emperor"

Chen made her screen debut with the film "Youth" in 1977. Thanks to her outstanding performance in the film "Xiao Hua", Chen was awarded the Best Actress at the 3rd People's Hundred Flowers Awards in 1980, which is also her first award in this category. In 1988, "The Last Emperor" in which she played a leading role won nine awards at the 60th Academy Awards, including the Best Picture award. In 1997, Chen directed her first film and won her first Best Director award for it. After that, she directed a number of excellent works, such as "Autumn in New York" and "Hero". In the past few years, Chen has worked with new-generation directors in the Chinese-language film industry, such as Xu Ang and Sam Quah, to bring a number of highly-rated films, including "Sheep Without a Shepherd" and "Hachiko".

Joan Chen at a filming site

In this Workshop & Masterclass, participants will, together with Chen, review her experiences related to film-making as an actress and a director, and discuss the ways to combine life inspiration with film art to create touching stories.

Every film may come to an end, but the stories of our lives are going on. With the flow of light and shadow on the screen, the boundary of our thinking also expands. The three workshops & masterclasses of this year's BJIFF,

encompassing the dreamlike presentation of surrealism, sincere and delicate poetic expressions and popular cinematic styles, will serve as platforms for sharing film-making experiences and exchanging artistic insights with the audience. We look forward to meeting you at the 14th BJIFF Workshops & Masterclass. Let's together pursue that fascinating dream of film art and explore the secrets behind it.

The Workshops & Masterclasses sincerely invite film and television companies, professional colleges and universities, and friends from all walks of life who are interested in BJIFF. Scan the QR code below to fill out a questionnaire, and sign up for the 14th BJIFF Workshops & Masterclasses which will close on April 16, 2024. Register now for the limited places!

Hotlines for BJIFF Workshops & Masterclasses: +86-10-85336467; +86-13962880581

Email: masterclass@bjiff.com