No Killing, a film produced by the Tianfu Studio of Tencent Penguin Pictures, supervised by Zhang Meng and directed by Xu Xiangyun, wrapped up in May 2018 in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province. Winning the “Best Original Screenplay Award” in the Project Pitches of the 7th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), No Killing attracted investors via BJIFF and the filming was successfully launched in just a few months. The BJIFF Project Pitches acted like a catalyst, pushing Xu Xiangyun to transition from an online drama scriptwriter to a film director. The speedy progress, however, did cause him some “trouble and confusion,” alerting him that this is only the beginning rather than the finishing point. 

　　BJIFF-Beijing Film Market Project Pitches acted as a “catalyst” for the project No Killing. Director Xu Xiangyun is an adept storyteller of criminal suspense. He was the scriptwriter for online dramas Medical Examiner Dr. Qin and Ten Deadly Sins. In his spare time, he sketched the story for his first film No Killing. He later finished the full screenplay at short notice and barely managed to submit it to BJIFF Project Pitches prior to the deadline. Unexpectedly, the screenplay he had scrambled days and nights became a dark horse and won the “Best Original Screenplay Award” at the final roadshow of the 7th BJIFF Project Pitches. Excited but calm, Xu Xiangyun was well aware of the colossal amount of work to be done after this win.

　　After the project No Killing won the award at BJIFF Project Pitches, Xu Xiangyun talked with numerous interested investors. He said frankly that it had never been a one-go effort, as a young director needs both funds and supervision to secure success. After he finally chose the Tianfu Studio of Tencent Penguin Pictures as the investor, Xu Xiangyun spent tremendous time polishing the screenplay and worked closely with the supervisor to direct his first film and make it a wow.

　　The following is an exclusive interview with Xu Xiangyun, who talked about his experience at BJIFF Project Pitches and the progress of the project: 

　　Q: At BJIFF Project Pitches, do you have any opportunity that you wouldn’t be able to come by previously as a scriptwriter?

　　A: BJIFF is an exceptional platform for me, where I can get in contact with trustworthy investors such as the Tianfu Studio of Tencent Penguin Pictures. It helps me with my future work, such as negotiating with actors and actresses. I met quite a pool of celebrities and made many friends. We offered suggestions for each other. I’ve learned a lot.

　　Q: What unexpected difficulties have you encountered after the project No Killing won the award at Project Pitches?

　　A: It was in April when BJIFF ended. A string of platforms and producers were willing to talk with you, but few of them could be your true partners. You need to further improve and develop the screenplay to both parties’ satisfaction before we can cooperate. Luckily, suspense and crime is a popular genre in China. Most companies think from business perspectives, and only a few were reluctant to explore such genres. 

　　Q: Could you talk about how the supervisor helped you out of difficulty? 

　　A: Honestly, the screenplay was the toughest nut to crack. I rewrote the screenplay day and night for an entire year after participating in the Project Pitches. I felt a little bit lost when I continued rewriting, feeling that I had reached my limit. But later I was assured when the supervisor give me his advice and approval. Soon after I began to cooperate with Penguin Pictures, they put forward their suggestions but respected what I wanted to express as director. So I had no pressure or burden. Later Penguin Pictures introduced Superviser Zhang Meng to us. He showed great care about the screenplay and we had several meetings. As a young director, I was quite clumsy in dealing with certain matters, and Mr. Zhang even revised some scripts himself for me. I felt so privileged. Mr. Zhang said to me, “You are the director of this film so you may accept any advice if you agree with it; otherwise, you just do what you think is right.” These words touched my heart.

　　Q: As a scriptwriter, how do you handle the suggestions from Tencent Penguin Pictures and Supervisor Zhang Meng?

　　A: I would put them away and give them a cooling period. I would revise the script only when I believe they can truly improve the script. It would take me a long time to think and sort things out, but it wouldn’t take long to revise the script. Counted all, there were just six or seven revisions, which took me about one and a half year. I’d rather slow down when I just begin, because there are a lot of things I need to learn. Only after I become more mature can I move to the next step, and then I can speed up a little bit. 

　　Q: What do you expect from No Killing when it shows in cinemas in the future?

　　A: First as the director, I do hope the audience would love it. But after going through the entire production process, I am so happy to see my film hit the big screen. It is all I think and feel. I have expressed my own thoughts about  humanity in the script and included the theme in it. I believe almost all of them have been made understandable to the audience and I am very satisfied. There is not much I can do about its performance in cinemas.

　　Q: My last question, how did BJIFF assist you?

　　A: First of all, it changed my mindset. After BJIFF, I felt confident and brave. I felt I was far away from making a film of my own. The nomination makes me feel good about myself, bringing me closer to film production. 

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