Zhang Yang: China\'s Film Market be Polarized which Leaves Room for Artistic Movies

Zhang Yang is one of the rare successes of the sixth generation of Chinese directors who are able to strike a balance between artistic and commercial films. Though not prolific, he still amazes audiences with each of his films. His maiden film Spicy Love Soup  helped him stand out among others and the ensuing Shower, Sunflower,  and Quitting  won many awards in international film festivals in Toronto, Saint Sebastian and Bangkok. His new film Full Circle(2012) has won unanimous acclaim from filmmakers.

Zhang Yang, a jury member of the Gold Goblet Award at the 15th SIFF, talks in Daily News interview about the state of the domestic film industry. He argues that within the current fierce competition in the film industry, movies may develop in two directions: commercial ones becoming more commercial, and artistic ones becoming more artistic.

Daily News: As a jury member of the Gold Goblet Award at this year\'s SIFF, can you compare it to other film festivals you have attended?
Zhang Yang:  I had too short time at other film festivals, but this time, being a jury member, I can get a better feel for the SIFF atmosphere. In my view, up to now, one of the most successful part of SIFF is that it has attracted more and more audiences. A film festival is not just a gathering for filmmakers, but is also a festival for people. Recalling my many experiences at foreign film festivals, especially in smaller places like Venice and Saint Sebastian, the people were extremely enthusiastic. The ambience impressed me because it was the audiences that were celebrating the festival. Happily, SIFF also enjoys this popularity with people queuing for tickets and crowding into the cinemas. It is the fruit of many years\' effort and SIFF has taken its due place in the audience\'s mind. Audience can watch various films from different countries, be artistic or petty bourgeois, rather than mere Hollywood commercial blockbusters. I have always held the opinion that Chinese audiences have fewer options for seeing films and to some extent SIFF has enriched the Chinese film market.

Daily News: I suppose you haven\'t watched so many films before in such a short period of time. What\'s your overall assessment of the Gold Goblet Award applicants?
Zhang Yang:  Being a jury member is a very enjoyable experience. I regard watching three films within a single day as learning as well as resting. I have had some surprises from the different photography methods and narrative patterns in films of different genres from different countries. Another interesting thing about film festivals is that people from other countries have quite different views on films. For example, some films which I deemed to be ordinary were judged to be good by other jury members.

Daily News:  You mentioned the fewer choices enjoyed by Chinese audiences, but the fact is they would still rather chase a Hollywood blockbuster. What\'s your view on the
 "Redemption of Chinese Films" which is also the theme of SIFORUM this year?
Zhang Yang:  Audiences nowadays are not so simplistic that they will just watch Hollywood films. They have diverse likings. From the perspective of the film market, not all films in this year\'s SIFF are commercial productions but they are still sold out. The biggest problem of the current domestic market in my opinion is the lack of leeway left for contemplative, artistic and experimental films and the lack of these styles being produced. Though some art film cinemas have been established, the problems are with inadequate film sources as well as unsatisfactory quality. We can tap film sources from around the world like the Berlinale and Cannes Film Festival and I think we should use them so certain audiences can watch their favorites.

Daily News: Design of Death by Guan Hu and your Full  Circle   seemed to be suffered at the box office due to the screening of American blockbuster The Avengers. What do you think of the career opportunities for the sixth generation of directors amid the assault from Hollywood?
Zhang Yang:  The current Chinese film market schedule, which we don\'t approve, only gives us one or two weeks to compete against large-scale films. A film like Full Circle  which focuses on seniors is likely to be screened in Japan for six months in two cinemas, benefitting from a gradual accumulation of popularity and plentiful seating capacity. However, as the film doesn\'t use top stars we have to rack our brains to take every measure to compete against Hollywood blockbusters, which I also think is tragic. So to divide audiences into different cinemas is a good way to promote domestic films.

Daily News: Did the box office of Full Circle  achieve expected levels? What do you think of the saying that Chinese films "die in the context of the assault of American films"?
Zhang Yang: There is certainly a gap regarding the current box office of less than RMB 10 million instead of 20 or 30 million for a conservative budget film. I saw fierce competition in the Chinese market one day when six to seven domestic films were competing against three American blockbusters. There was scarce living room for each film. However, this is also a survival of the best process and Chinese blockbusters will flourish while medium to small companies will encounter challenges. I have also seen investors becoming very cautious about their commitment and many investments have tightened up this year. Anyhow, I don\'t think there will be a death of Chinese films. I suppose they will experience a polarized development. Some will be more commercial while others will be more artistic. In the context of such an agitated film market, artistic films will, nevertheless, benefit from the big opportunities from a boom and some really fantastic artistic films will surely outshine others.

Daily News: You are always credited with having the skill as a director of striking a balance between the artistic and commercial elements in films. What is your future direction, commercial or artistic?
Zhang Yang: I may choose artistic films and I think I may go further and further away from commercial films.