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True friendship endures time. We gather once again within the realms of cinematic art, engaging in profound dialogues that bridge our shared experiences. At SIFF MasterClass of the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), luminaries such as Tran Anh Hung, Midi Z, Bill Nichols, and Shunji Iwai will embark on a journey delving into the intricacies of light and shadow, exchanging insights and reflections on filmmaking, and exploring the essence and manifestation of cinematic artistry.
The 26th SIFF
Schedule of SIFF MasterClass:
MasterClass with Bill Nichols
June 18 (Tuesday)
16:00-18:00
JinJue Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Shanghai
Esteemed American scholar, honorary professor of cinema studies at San Francisco State University, and jury president of this year’s Golden Goblet Awards’ documentary unit, Bill Nichols, is known for his seminal works Movies and Methods, which established disciplinary norms in film studies, and Representing Reality, which pioneers contemporary documentary research and have also paved the way for extensive research in the genre in 1990s. His book Engaging Cinema was the first to treat filmic form as a social expression medium. Awarded the SCMS Distinguished Career Achievement Award in 2022, Nichols is celebrated for his outstanding contributions to the field of film studies.
For documentary filmmakers and scholars alike, Bill Nichols’ Introduction to Documentary is undoubtedly a seminal work not to be missed. For decades, this venerable scholar has infused unwavering passion into documentary studies, exploring its essence while pondering the deep connections between form and content, subjectivity and objectivity, truth and fiction. Having delved into his profound thoughts through his written works, we now have the privilege to witness his mastery, immersing again in his theories and philosophies. With the MasterClass led by Bill Nichols, the “father of documentary theory”, we will together step into the world of documentaries.
Host
Ju Wei
Associate Professor
School of Communication
East China Normal University
SIFF MasterClass with Shunji Iwai
June 21 (Friday)
14:00-15:30
JinJue Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Shanghai
Shunji Iwai, Japanese director born in 1963, started his career by directing music videos and television dramas after graduating from Yokohama National University. His 1993 TV drama FIREWORKS won him the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award. In 1995, his debut feature film LOVE LETTER earned him the 20th Hochi Film Award for Best Director. In 2011, his first English-language film VAMPIRE received a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2018, he wrote and directed his first Chinese-language film LAST LETTER in 2020,which was later adapted into a Japanese film.
Returning for the fourth time to Shanghai International Film Festival, our old friendShunji Iwai presents to us this time KYRIE, a testament to youth through his unique and innocent perspective, yet transcending mere youthfulness. In this “visual poet’s” films, the myriad concerns of young boys and girls intertwine with the contradictions of humanity and society. Within the hazy and beautiful frames, love oscillates between purity and complexity, while life may scatter like fragments of prose and poetry, yet it never fades away. Meeting Shunji Iwai once again, the melodious echoes of youth resound, as the maestro’s creative passion remains undiminished.
Host
Yu Mengjiao
Japanese interpreter
Media writer, and
Book and film curator
SIFF MasterClass with Midi Z
June 21 (Friday)
16:00-17:30
JinJue Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Shanghai
Taiwanese director Midi Z’s filmmaking journey unfolded in 2011. His works have been featured at prestigious festivals at such as Venice, Cannes, Berlin, Rotterdam, and Busan, while earning him multiple nominations for the Golden Horse Awards for best director, narrative feature and original screenplay in Taiwan. In 2016, he received the Golden Horse Award for Outstanding Taiwanese Filmmaker of the Year. His notable works include narrative features RETURN TO BURMA, THE ROAD TO MANDALAY, and NINA WU, and documentaries CITY OF JADE, 14 APPLES, and THE CLINIC.
Whether in features films or documentaries, Midi Z offers a rational perspective on the human experience, crafting narratives akin to lyrical poetry that weave tales of joy, sorrow, dreams, and aspirations on the track of life. In his cinematic realm, art imitates life, striving for authenticity at every turn. Six years ago, Midi Z served as a jury member for the Golden Goblet Awards’ Asian New Talent category; now, returning as a jury member for the documentary category, he brings forth his unique creative insights and perspectives, to enrich the Shanghai audience’s cinematic experience.
Host
Zhang Yueran
Writer and screenwriter
Golden Goblet MasterClass in Conversation with
Tran Anh Hung
June 22 (Saturday)
10:00-11:30
JinJue Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Shanghai
In 1992, Tran Anh Hung premiered his debut feature film THE SCENT OF GREEN PAPAYA at the Cannes Film Festival, winning the Golden Camera Award and the Young Film Technician Prize. His second feature film CYCLO, starring Tony Leung Chiu Wai, won the Golden Lion for Best Film at the Venice International Film Festival. In 2010, he directed the Japanese-language film NORWEGIAN WOOD, based on Haruki Murakami’s novel of the same name, which premiered in the competition section of the Venice International Film Festival. In 2023, his latest work THE TASTE OF THINGS was selected for the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Best Director award.
In 2011, director Tran Anh Hung made his debut as a jury member for the Golden Goblet Awards. After thirteen years, he reunites with us with his latest film. From THE SCENT OF GREEN PAPAYA to THE TASTE OF THINGS, his films serve as a culinary journey intertwined with life’s flavors and emotions, evolving from the freshness of papaya to the richness of a simmering stew. Through tender and poetic lenses, life takes center stage, capturing moments of beauty and melancholy. At the Golden Goblet MasterClass in conversation with Tran Anh Hung, we will journey through the currents of time, exploring the boundless possibilities and enduring allure of cinema together.
Host
Liu Min
Film Critic
As old friends return and the interplay of light and shadow continues, at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival, we will reconnect with the masters and the magic of cinema.
*Film festival pass holders can attend the SIFF MasterClass with their passes, but seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please bring your ID to collect translation headsets at the event. Video and text recordings of the sessions will be available online after the festival, with timing subject to official announcements on the website.
*Film enthusiasts are welcome to leave comments in the section below, sharing questions you would like to ask the four masters. We will select some questions from the comments for the hosts to ask during the event, and selected participants will have the chance to receive exquisite SIFF MasterClass merchandise.