Exploring the “Hangzhou New Wave”at the Beijing International Film Festival
The upcoming Beijing International Film Festival, set to take place from April 18-26, offers an exciting opportunity to discover the “Hangzhou New Wave.”This year’s festival highlights the works of writer and director Zhu Xin through its distinctive “Filmmaker in Focus”program. Described as “the young flag-bearer”of the emerging Hangzhou New Cinema movement, Zhu’s contributions are a highlight of the event.
What to Expect from the Festival
In addition to Zhu Xin’s spotlight, the festival will showcase the “Chinese New Wave” program, set to feature a broad array of up-and-coming Chinese filmmakers. Festival organizers emphasize this initiative as an essential platform for discovering and promoting fresh talent, illustrating their commitment to showcasing cutting-edge perspectives and diverse expressions in contemporary cinema.
Understanding Hangzhou’s Cultural Landscape
So, who is Zhu Xin? To appreciate his work, it’s important to understand his roots in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in southeastern China. Closer to Shanghai than Beijing, Hangzhou boasts a rich history in the arts, including its UNESCO-listed cultural sites. Historically, it was considered one of the world’s largest cities during the 12th to 14th centuries and remains a vibrant center for education and technology.
Recognition from the National Film and Television School
In 2020, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the UK launched an online film season celebrating the new wave of talent emerging from Hangzhou. The series noted that these directors, whether from the region or educated there, possess a profound understanding of their city’s unique character. Their films are enriched by personal experiences, reflecting a burgeoning focus on geographical perspectives in modern Chinese filmmaking.
The NFTS’ initiatives highlighted how Hangzhou’s blend of natural beauty and modern innovations has created a fertile ground for emerging directors to craft compelling narratives—even on modest budgets. This has led to the acclaim of films that span various genres, from documentaries to experimental pieces.
The Emergence of the “Hangzhou New Wave”
As the Beijing festival emphasizes, youth-oriented films are pivotal to the current cinematic landscape in China, contributing to the terminology of “Hangzhou New Wave.”This wave captures the spirit of innovation and creativity that young filmmakers like Zhu Xin are bringing to the forefront.
Zhu Xin: A Rising Star in Filmmaking
Born in 1996, Zhu Xin has rapidly established himself as one of Hangzhou’s most promising filmmakers. He cites the work of Thai auteur Apichatpong Weerasethakul as a major influence on his own creative vision. Zhu gained attention in 2018 with his debut feature, Vanishing Days, a film that screened at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival and the Berlin Film Festival’s Forum program. Crafted with a non-professional cast and a budget of merely $2,500, the film captures the surreal essence of youthful experiences in his hometown.
The Hollywood Reporter praised Vanishing Days for its artistic endeavor, noting how it envelops Hangzhou’s landscapes in a “surreal, trance-like aesthetic.”The review heralded Zhu as an artist of remarkable vision, making a strong impression on the arthouse festival circuit.
Zhu Xin’s Recent Works
Following his debut, Zhu directed the experimental documentary A Song River, which delves into a journey through memory and history inspired by a Song Dynasty poem. His latest feature, All Quiet at Sunrise, contemplates themes of time, love, language, and memory. In a statement regarding the film, Zhu expressed his desire to create a work that would resonate with him, saying, “As a fledgling filmmaker… I wonder how regretful I would be as an old man if I hadn’t made the film I wanted to make.”
Screening Highlights
The “Filmmaker in Focus”segment at the Beijing festival will feature not only Zhu Xin’s three feature films but also five of his short films: Community, A Folk Song, On That Afternoon, Cleo, and Fragile Women. The festival aims to offer a comprehensive view of Zhu’s artistry, allowing audiences to appreciate this burgeoning talent from multiple angles.
Upcoming Talent at Beijing 2025
Additionally, the “Chinese New Wave”program’s lineup promises to be dynamic, featuring:
- Inner Secrets
- Village Music by Lina Wang
- Stars and the Moon by Yongkang Tang
- Reflections in the Lake
- Wen Rou by Li Jiaxi
- Hidden Landscapes by Xufeng Guo
With its focus on modern narratives and emerging filmmakers, the Beijing International Film Festival stands as a beacon of innovation and creativity, setting the stage for the future of Chinese cinema.