Shanghai film fest a far cry from Cannes

By Xiao Dao (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-06-25 10:50

Zhang Ziyi at the Shanghai International Film Festival.[China Daily]

Compared to the sophisticated Cannes, Berlin and Venice film festivals, the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) resembles a young boy entitled to spoiled behavior nolonger, yet far from having the maturity level to face its adversities and reproaches.

Cannes makes a name for its festival based on reliability; Berlin sets itself apart for its devotion to pushing serious films; and Venice is known for welcoming aspiring art hopefuls.

In Asia, there is strong government support behind the Pusan film festival, but it is the retrospective screening session of Hong Kong's festival that is still the best on the continent. Still, the Singapore festival provides a good window for Southeast Asian films to gain exposure to international cultural communications. Meantime, Taiwan's Golden Horse festival continues to enjoy a favorable reputation among Chinese worldwide.

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