In 2023, it was a great honor for us to invite Mr. Yonfan, a prestigious director from Hong Kong, China, to attend the Beijing Film Panorama section of the BJIFF with his six excellent works. One year has passed, but until today we can still remember how the director was warmly received at the meet-and-greets with cast & crew and Yonfan Workshop & Masterclass. His obsession with movies as well as charming and frank personality are a great attraction to moviegoers.

　　Yonfan

Last year, we made an appointment with the director to screen Peony Pavilion, one of his classic films with classical poetry and styling aesthetics, some day in Beijing. This year, the Beijing Film Panorama section will welcome the biggest surprise -- Director Yonfan will come to Beijing again with the 4K restored version of his masterpiece Peony Pavilion, and attend two meet-and-greets with cast & crew.

Peony Pavilion, starring Rie Miyazawa, Joey Wong and Daniel Wu, starting with the decline of the Rong family, tells about the emotional entanglements among Cui Hua, Rong Lan and Xing Zhigang. Throwing small individuals into the rise and fall of the times is the depressed undertone left by the film after removing the flashy appearance. The film was highly praised upon its release, and was selected as the opening film of the 25th Hong Kong International Film Festival and the 10th China Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Film Festival. It was also named one of the 10 Best Movies of 2001 by Time magazine.

　　A poster of Peony Pavilion

The two screenings of Peony Pavilion at the BJIFF will be presented as the 4K restored version for the first time in Chinese mainland, one with the well-known Mandarin version, and the other with the very special Japanese version by heroine Rie Miyazawa.

Director Yonfan invited her to play the role of songstress courtesan Cui Hua because of her unique Eastern feminine beauty of natural sorrow. She couldn’t speak Chinese and could only speak Japanese with other actors during filming, but she still won Best Actress at the Moscow International Film Festival thanks to her superb acting. Yonfan specially retained her Japanese-sounding tracks that year, and produced her original Japanese version for this 4K restoration, providing moviegoers with a premium experience on the big screen, which should not be missed.

　　A still of Peony Pavilion

Director Yonfan, who loves calligraphy and painting in daily life, boldly learned from Chinese classical culture and strove to seek roots in his later creation of Peony Pavilion. Similar to the literature work Peony Pavilion, this film on the big screen also tells a sad story in which love is like a dream. And Yonfan off screen is also a veteran playgoer, and once filmed the opera documentary Breaking the Willow. Peony Pavilion is more like a dream about the obsession with movies and plays Yonfan dreamed for himself, which perfectly combines the graceful melody of Kunqu Opera with the beauty of motion pictures, which is quite intoxicating for the audience.

　　A still of Peony Pavilion

In the film, there is not only the classical beauty of Kunqu Opera and Rie Miyazawa, but also the character of Rong Lan played by Joey Wong, a special screen image wandering between two ages and different identities. She represents the freedom of a new age, and violently collides with the ideas of the old society. Young Daniel Wu is also a highlight of the film, who played Xing Zhigang, a handsome guy who strongly stirs a corner of south China enveloped by misty rain and ink painting, creating another classic role of his own on the screen. 

　　A still of Peony Pavilion

The beauty of Yonfan's films lies in roles, rare actors, sad and tortuous stories, and even his detachment with the original aspiration he has remained since his directing career for many years. It's spring again, a perfect time to visit a garden and enjoy the beauty of Kunqu Opera and movies. Why does Heaven give us brilliant day and dazzling sight? Whose house could boast of a sweeter delight? Just as Cui Hua and Rong Lan really knew each other in a spring courtyard, we believe that many moviegoers also expect to meet director Yonfan again in Beijing this spring.

　　A poster of Peony Pavilion

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In case of any changes to the film lineup, please refer to the actual official screening schedule. Stay tuned for more exciting content about the Beijing Film Panorama.