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Wu Yigong
Chairman of the China Film Association, born in 1938
Representative work: Memories of Peking
"The 100th anniversary of Chinese movies is worth celebration for many reasons. As a filmmaker, I know deeply every step Chinese movies have taken and the hard work the older generation has been through. When looking back, we can feel the sincerity, belief, wisdom and creativity of Chinese filmmakers from generation to generation. Though we didn't experience the beginning of the first centennial of Chinese movies, we do have the honor to start the second. Let's share this glory."
Han Sanping
Director, General Manager of the China Film Group Corp., born in 1953
Representative work: Story About Mao Zedong
"A movie should be thought-provoking, aesthetic and enjoyable. But frankly speaking, it's difficult to do all of this. Chinese movies try to educate while entertaining audiences--that's the biggest weak point at present. Both filmmakers and authorities should examine themselves and try to change. Adapt to and guide film audiences, otherwise your film could only entertain yourself. Isn't that depressing?
"Education is definitely not the sole function of movies, and neither can it exist by itself. To put it simply: whenever we need to determine whether a movie is successful or not, look at the box office. How to sell tickets, bring audiences back to cinemas and earn money--that is an enormous challenge to investors and artists in China. If your movie is highly aesthetic but the audience is few, or if the theme of your movie is very positive but the movie is a box office failure, that won't do."
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