Accompanied by Spring Breezes: An Open-air Night with Shu Qi and Girl
April 17, a spring night in Beijing, at the sunken basketball court of Shouchuang Langyuan Station in Dongba. No ceiling overhead, no glamorous red carpet - just a screen, an evening breeze, and a crowd gathered for Shu Qi. Only a day earlier, on April 16 - her birthday - Shu Qi had graced the opening red carpet in a stunning appearance as the jury president of the 16th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) Project Pitches section. Now, just one day later, she stood beside the open-air screen once more - this time as a director, face to face with her audience.
The 16th BJIFF Beijing Film Market
Open-Air Cinema Post-Screening: Shu Qi
As the film ended and the lights came up, she stepped onto the stage. The audience erupted in excitement - among them were fans who had followed her for over twenty years, and spectators holding up their phones while whispering, "Happy Birthday". During the Q&A session, I remember a girl taking the microphone and asking: "How can I start creating my own story?" Shu Qi paused for a moment, her voice soft yet exceptionally firm: "Even if it's just one sentence, write it down first. When you have time, write a page, and slowly piece your story together. Clarify what you want to express most; when you decide to connect those pieces, the puzzle is complete. This is exactly why I spent over ten years writing Girl." The venue fell silent, save for the faint sound of the wind brushing against the microphone. The girl nodded earnestly. This exchange was perhaps the most touching moment of the night: a young fan seeking advice from a "debut director" who had just delivered her first directorial work. With over a decade of waiting and persistence, Shu Qi offered the most simple answer - don't be afraid of being slow or having little; just start with a single sentence.
The 16th BJIFF Beijing Film Market
Open-Air Cinema Post-Screening
There is no red carpet or lavish stage at Open-Air Cinema. Yet, it is this very simplicity that returns cinema to its most essential form - a group of people sitting under the starry sky, laughing and being moved together by a single story. Looking at those upturned faces in the audience, the answer becomes clear: this is the true charm of cinema - to be seen by real people and to be struck by sincere questions.
The 16th BJIFF Beijing Film Market
Open-Air Cinema Post-Screening
Many years from now, that girl who asked the question might finally write her own story. At that moment, will she recall this spring night and the words Shu Qi said: "Even if it's just one sentence, write it down first"? The weight of an answer is often measured slowly through the passage of time. On this night, Shu Qi has already entrusted the seeds to the wind.
The 16th BJIFF Beijing Film Market
Open-Air Cinema Post-Screening
