Hamptons International Film Festival To Focus On Chinese Cinema

Photo courtesy of imdb.com.

The Hampton’s International Film Festival (HIFF) will focus on Chinese cinema this year, presenting five films directed by critically acclaimed filmmakers – including one of the most influential Chinese directors Zhang Yimou (“Hero”, ”Raise the Red Lantern”)—along with discussion event featuring Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank, renowned producer, screenwriter, and director Joel Schumacher, and producer Daniel J. Victor.

On Friday, Oct. 10th at 3:30 p.m, HIFF will present the premiere of “Coming Home”. The premiere will be followed by a special panel on the changing cinematic climate in China with Academy Award-nominated writer/producer James Schamus, Jeff Sharp, President/CEO of Story Mining & Supply Co., and moderator La Frances Hui, curator at Asia Society New York.

The Focus on Chinese Cinema Brunch will honor Swank and Schumacher on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. in East Hampton. The brunch will include a 30-minute business panel moderated by Jonathan Landreth (Editor of ChinaFile) with guests Jeff Sharp and Victor.

Three of the films featured in the Focus on Chinese Cinema Series will make their U.S. premieres at the festival, including “Coming Home” directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li (“Memoirs of a Geisha”, “Miami Vice”), “Fantasia” directed by Wang Chao, and “Red Amnesia” directed by Wang Xiaoshuai.

Making its New York debut, Director Hu Wei will present the short film “Butter Lamp” about a photographer that weaves through unique links among nomadic families creating a rich tapestry of the past, present and future.

The extensive focus on Chinese films this year was arranged with the support of the China Consulate of New York and aims to highlight the best in contemporary mainland cinema.

For more information, visit: http://hamptonsfilmfest.org/.

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