Lead director reveals behind-the-scene story of China Pavilion film

• Source: Global Times
• [17:13 June 02 2010]
• Comments

China Pavilion, the Crown of the East. Photo: Li Zhenyu

"I've deeply felt that there's a wide gap between the outer world's expectation and understanding of China and what we have done in terms of presenting ourselves to the world," the Chinese director who is in the rare position of being both commercially successful at home and well-received abroad said: "For those cultural products we exported, there are certain problems with respect to the fashions in which they were demonstrated and what those of subject matters we tended to focus on."

"I was hoping to make a change and affect the outside world with my works. The Expo provides us with a big stage for doing so. If we quit, we'll lose such a good chance to utter our own voice to the globe."

In addition, Lu felt that although China's domestic film market is booming, with the box office on the rise at a rapid pace, its export movies lack spiritual and cultural depth, which works against the presentation of the "China impression" to the world.

"The 'China impression' has to be expressed in various manners," Lu said with a spirited look in his eyes behind his black-rimmed glass.

"Cultural products should shed more lights on humanity, the common human characteristics that transcend all culture and races," the sharp-eyed Chinese artist added.

These particular notions are well reflected in the theme film of the China Pavilion, as it is portrayed in such a poetic fashion that creates an air of transcendence.

"We set several key words for the eight-minute film, for example, 'Running' and 'Transcending'. It recounts the stories in a significant era for China, an era of dashing, (and) an era of passion. During the 30 years, China ran tirelessly."

Some experts doubted the scenario of the Wenchuan earthquake adopted in the theme film of the China Pavilion when the film was being scrutinized, but Lu insisted retaining the episode.

"The Wenchuan earthquake serves as a symbol," Lu said firmly. "I hereby intend to emphasize the national spirit of 'Transcendence'.

Lu's success at filming the theme film for the China Pavilion not only proves to be a career milestone for the young talent, but also marks an advancement in a wider context, nationally.

"I am very pleased that it (directing the theme film for the China Pavilion) allows me an opportunity to tell the directors of my contemporaries or those of the next generation that we could be able to put some of our personal thoughts and emotions into the work on a national stage," Lu said heartily.

"It well shows China's opening-up and its social progress."

The author is the 2010 Shanghai Expo special correspondent for People's Daily and has been a contributing columnist for some of the world's premier industry publications.