As the highlight of the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), the “Tiantan Award” features a variety of films with diverse themes and styles shortlisted and a professional and diverse jury panel, which brings together well-known and experienced filmmakers at home and abroad for safeguarding. Since the jury lineup of this year's "Tiantan Award" was announced, the powerful actor Zhang Songwen has attracted the attention of the media and the audience.
The “Tiantan Award” Jury of the 13th BJIFF
Jury member Zhang Songwen
In fact, two years ago, Zhang Songwen served as a jury member for the “Tiantan Award” to strictly screen the Chinese and foreign films shortlisted. "Old friend reunion" this time shows that the BJIFF has highly recognized Zhang Songwen's strength and professionalism.
Zhang Songwen served as a member of the “Tiantan Award” Jury of the 13th BJIFF
During the BJIFF held in 2021, Zhang Songwen not only completed the selection of "Tiantan Award", but also acted as a panelist to participate in the Gong Li Workshop & Masterclass - Film and Us, and Gong Li was the Jury President at that time. In the masterclass, Zhang Songwen openly talked about his secret of acting is life experience, that is, to rise abruptly only with accumulated strength.
"Life experience" is simple to say, but only Zhang Songwen knows how many twists and turns it contains.
Zhang Songwen attended the Gong Li Workshop & Masterclass - Film and Us at the 11th BJIFF
In the roadshow of the Punch Out, he once sincerely said, "If he is a good actor, he should not be ignored by the crew because of his fame, but should be noticed by many producers. Give him a first chance and he'll get a second chance.”
In 2000, at the age of 25, Zhang Songwen was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy and entered the film industry. He did not choose to leave the film and television industry when he could not get any chance to play for a few years after graduation. Instead, he chose to teach students, direct, set, co-ordinate, write, edit and so on in various film departments. After years of accumulation, he understood the profession better and jumped at the chance to get to be known by the audience.
Stage photo of Punch Out
After more than a decade of ups and downs, we can see the accumulation and precipitation of Zhang Songwen in his well-known works in recent years.
In respect of films, we can see Zhang Songwen's ability to change from genre to genre, and his edge when playing opposite film stars from The Shadow Play, Saturday Fiction, Pioneer to the recently released Punch Out.
He once said, "As a mature actor, he/she can also choose his favorite works, with his own personal will as the first will to choose his ideal roles and works to act, and can hear most of the real voice, rather than indulge in a kind of praise. Only in the best condition can he/she give full play to his/her acting skills.” Therefore, when choosing roles, whether it is Director Tang who looks gentle but actually has a distorted personality, or a warm and amiable revolutionary pioneer, Zhang Songwen can fully enter the inner world of his characters, constantly explore himself and leave his comfort zone. He shows us what it means to be a good actor with believable characters.
Stage photo of The Shadow Play
In respect of TV plays, Zhang Songwen has also been hot and become widely known always. Zhu Yongping in The Bad Kids contributed to the famous scene of "eating wonton after losing his daughter", while Gao Qiqiang in Punch Out caused a heated debate, making him the man of the hour. Art comes from life, and the details found by audiences in film and television works are also out of his love for life. Only by focusing on what you see, what you get, and what you want, can you play every role well.
People often use the word "late bloomer" to describe Zhang Songwen. It's a relief that his strength is finally being seen by the public, and may also be mixed with a little regret for him just like the ripe wine hidden in the alley for a long time.
To this, Zhang Songwen has said lightly, "I only used 20 years to succeed. I think it came too soon." This open-minded attitude not only reflects Zhang Songwen's detached professional belief, but also reflects his love for film to some extent. He also expressed his hopes and comments on the industry, "The culture of this industry is getting better and better, hoping that the actors will not be out of the market for age, and that more and more excellent actors in China will be able to meet you before the screen, and that we should be more tolerant of young actors and witness their growth.”
"Emotional resonance is the first criterion for me to judge," said Zhang Songwen at the media conference of the “Tiantan Award” Jury two years ago. We do not know whether Zhang Songwen's criteria will change when he joins the international jury for the “Tiantan Award” again, but we can be sure that he will review the shortlisted works with the same professional and sincere attitude, and encourage and support good Chinese and foreign works.
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