With the glory of Chinese film Tuya's Marriage still shining for its Golden Bear prize at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, attention is now focused on the selection for the upcoming Cannes International Film Festival.

The line-up of the festival, which takes place from May 16-27, will be unveiled on April 19. Though still a month away, some Chinese filmmakers are being tipped to have their movies considered for big prizes.

China's foremost actor and director, Jiang Wen (In the Heat of the Sun) finished his third film The Sun Also Rises, starring Joan Chen (The Last Emperor, pictured left), Jaycee Chan (2 Young) and Anthony Wong (Infernal Affairs). There are rumors that this film of passion, love and betrayal has already been offered a competition slot at Cannes 2007. The $10-million drama is under post-production in France and is expected to premiere in June in China.

Another noteworthy Chinese director is Wang Xiaoshuai, whose film Shanghai Dreams won the Grand Jury Prize at last year's Cannes Film Festival. It was the first time this Chinese director was in the running for a Palme d'Or, although both of his past two films, So Close to Paradise (1999) and Drifters (2003) have been presented in the Un Certain Regard section. His new film Zuo You (pictured below), which is inspired by a true story, has also been planned to premiere at the coming Cannes Film Festival.

Other prospective Chinese films include highway movie My Blueberry Night by Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, starring Norah Jones, Rachel Weisz and Jude Law, and Hong Kong director Hou Hsiao-hsien's debut French-language film Le Ballon Rouge, starring Juliette Binoche.

Other possibilities include the crime drama Triangle directed by Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To, To's latest stand-alone feature The Sparrow, Stephen Chow's science-fiction comedy A Hope, and Alexi Tan's directorial debut Blood Brothers. To mark its 60th anniversary of Cannes International Film Festival, organizers planned to add some extra glitz. Some 20 directors from all over the world have been invited to shoot a three-minute short film, themed on "cinema". Chinese directors, Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Tsai Ming-liang and Wong Kar-wai, are among those on the list. The films will be screened during a day of celebrations on May 20, the first Sunday of the festival.

Chen Nan

(China Daily 03/28/2007 page6)