Star-studded red carpet marks opening of 27th Shanghai Intl Film Festival

Celebrities from the film industry, both domestic and international, lit up the red carpet of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, or SIFF, at the Shanghai Grand Theater, showcasing their latest film projects to eager movie fans.

The festival's red carpet glittered with over 200 Chinese and international guests, with the spotlight initially on the stellar cast of the opening film, She's Got No Name, led by director Peter Ho-Sun Chan. The film crew is scheduled to engage with audiences at 13 cinemas in Shanghai from Saturday to Monday, during which the film will be screened at more than 120 cinemas across the city.

The film, based on a notorious criminal case from the Republic of China era, intricately reconstructs 1940s Shanghai, while portraying the tragic tale of the accused wife, played by Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi. Public screenings across China are set to commence on June 21.

Dongji Rescue, another film that has made waves, features a powerhouse cast including Zhu Yilong, Wu Lei and Ni Ni, with directors Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang at the helm. The crew shared the challenges faced during filming, particularly the demanding water scenes that required extensive diving training. The film is scheduled for a nationwide premiere across China on Aug 8.