2012-05-19

Jin-ho Hur: Next film to theme on SH

Jin-ho Hur is an old friend of Shanghai International Film Festival. He is chosen as a jury member for this year\'s Asian New Talent Award. His film, "Christmas In August" has won lots of fans in China. He was surprised when he learned that he was named by Chinese fans as a "love saint" and explained that he is not good at love and romance in his daily life. He said he is looking forward to shooting a film about Shanghai\'s history.

Daily News: You was the Golden Goblet Award jury in the sixth Shanghai International Film Festival. This time, you are a jury for the new talent award. Will the judging ways be different?
Hur: The directors of Asian New Talent Award are more innovative, I am most interested in the approaches they adopted in telling their stories.

Daily News: Have you seen any impressive works so far?
Hur: Some, young directors\' creativity is always very interesting. I am looking forward to the coming works.

Daily News: Originally, it is said that Chen Guo, Cui Jian and you would each make a part of the movie project "Season of Good Rain." But eventually, what you made become the full-length film What happened?
Hur: It was planned as a three-part movie. But I found the length of the story is enough for a full-length film.

Daily News: Are you satisfied with the showing of "Season of Good Rain" in china?
Hur: I actually don\'t know the final outcome. In my sense, it\'s a good beginning for Asian film makers to cooperate. For directors, what we should think is how to win the market through strong cooperations.

Daily News: How do you think of Feng Xiaogang\'s saying that Asian film directors shouldn\'t look to Hollywood?
Hur: I agree with him. We have potential market here in Asia, especially in China. I expect more cooperation among Asian directors. The challenges for cooperation many come from language and cultural difference.

Daily News: Some people say your "Christmas In August" is a love classic. Some suggest you are a "love saint". Any comments?
Hur: I am surprised. "Christmas In August" is indeed a love film. I am flattered. But on the other hand, I am not so good at love and romance in my daily life, so I put these longings into my film.

Daily News: You are not very productive in recent years. Does it mean you will move to playwriting circles?
Hur: This is because my preparing period for shooting a film is too long. I have to prepare a lot before a mew movie starts. During this preparing period I often write some plays for my friends. But the long preparation process has become a problem. I have realized that. I will try to shorten that period to make more movies.

Daily News: Any ideas for next film?
Hur: I have many plans now at hand. I am looking forward to cooperating with Chinese film directors, to shoot a film featuring Shanghai history.

Daily News: Are there any Chinese directors impress you?
Hur: Zhang Yimou. I was asked to see his films when I firstly entered the circle. I am eager to see his new work "A Simple Noodle Story". I also appreciate Lu Chuan\'s courage in making "City of Life and Death."