Young 'green film' maker to keep her efforts pristine

With a high forehead, bright eyes and angular chin, Hong Mingcan looks like many other young Chinese women, but she is distinctive in another way - as an independent-minded proponent of "green" films.

She is plainly dressed, with only her deep green contact lenses showing a hint of her passion.

"My dress is a hand-me-down from my sister and I made my bag from old clothes myself," she said.

Still an unknown artist, she in fact doesn't have a film set to come out. His oeuvre to date consists of some short videos.

Yet in the past 10 years, she has insisted on pure art and a strong desire to make an environmentally inspired film that advocates clean development and business, not only in the storyline, but also the process of actual filmmaking.

Born to an ordinary Chinese family, none of whom are involved in film, she liked art from a young age and used it as the backbone of her studies.

In 1990s, after college graduation, Hong was chosen to play a bit part in a Chinese film, but found "it very much like today's Super Girl Competition - after that I didn't have the ambition to become an actor".

In 1999, she passed the entrance examination for the Central Academy of Drama. Using up all her savings, she blazed a way to realize her dream.

"Awareness of environmental protection and saving resources is actually rooted in many Chinese people's minds, as we all experienced times when the country was not affluent," she said.

"And when I studied at the Central Academy of Drama, I researched some history and culture and was exposed to environmental knowledge, for example the history of Germany's Green Party."

"Environmental issues are moral issues," she said "I think it would be perfect if I can combine my film ambitious with personal beliefs."

In 2002, Hong completed her first script, which tells the story of a female environmental scientist working to clean up pollution in her hometown.

"I'm actually the prototype", Hong explained. "She has lots of difficulties like obstruction from local officials and objections from her family, similar to my life."

The film has not been made because she cannot find the amount of "green investment" she needs.

"I don't need any money linked to corruption," she said. "And my investors should strictly have clean production and hold environmental friendly notions in all aspects of their businesses."

Many people thought Hong ridiculous or even crazy, but she said "it is responsible to my film ambitions and also people's welfare".

After six years she found a partner from Singapore who is a businessman and also a philanthropist. She refused to disclose details about him, except to say "he is a good man".

Hong is now fully committed to her creation, a so-called "Superstar Heroine of Green Action".

Apart from her planned film, she creates art using recycled paper for watercolor paintings themed on protection and love of nature. She also produces photos using simple computer software instead of chemicals.

One of her videos shows a modern-dressed young girl with a cool expression on her face standing at a construction site with flying dust and gray haze in the background. She said it demonstrates the conflict between economic development and environmental deterioration.

Hong has also made short films about climate change and pollution illustrated through the stories of a homeless dog, a poor farmer and a migrant worker, then showed and discussed them with audiences.

She uploaded the clips onto video sharing websites, including YouTube.

By selling "green" photos, paintings and DVDs of her film shorts, she makes a bit of money to support her daily life.

"I'm living a very simple life with low expenses," she said, "To be honest, I need money to sustain my dream, so family members, friends and some volunteers have offered me so much support."

"I hope one day I can pay them back after I finish my film," Hong said. "But most of all I hope it will raise public awareness. "

(China Daily 06/15/2009 page3)