Giant of the big screen

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-10-20 11:08

Hibiscus Town (1986) Remembering Xie Jin

At the time of his passing, he was preparing for One-2008th (2008 Fenzhiyi), a non-profit, short-film project involving several famous directors. Another project, a biopic of structural engineer and bridge construction expert Mao Yisheng, was also in the works. Xie once told his friend, writer Fan Tiansheng, that he would like to die at work.

Behind his onscreen glory, Xie's personal life was riddled with trials.

Two of his four children had mental disabilities. His eldest son Xie Yan, also a director, had passed away two months ago at 59.

Xie had been known as a caring father and extended his love for his children to all people with disabilities. He was vice-chairman of China Disabled Persons' Federation for 10 years.

He made the country's first film about the children with mental disabilities, entitled Venus (Qimingxing), in 1991, for which he chose young actors from schools for disabled children.

The film called public attention to these children. But the director himself said he seldom watched the completed work, because he could not help but cry every time he tried.

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