Wang Xiaoshuai
Encyclopedia
Wang Xiaoshuai is a Chinese film director
, screenwriter
and occasional actor
. He is commonly grouped under the loose association of filmmakers known as the Sixth Generation of the Cinema of China
.
Many of Wang's works are known for their sensitive portrayal of teens and youths, most notable in films such as Beijing Bicycle
, So Close to Paradise
, Drifters, and Shanghai Dreams
. His 2008 film In Love We Trust
was an exception as it portrays marital strains.
He also served as a member of the jury of the BigScreen Italia Film Festival 2006
, held in Kunming
, Yunnan, China.
but spent the first thirteen years of his life in Guiyang
, the capital of Guizhou
in southwestern China as a result of upheaval during the Cultural Revolution
. While in Guiyang, Wang became interested in and began studying painting. By 1979, he and his family had moved to Wuhan
. When he was 15, Wang moved to Beijing where he attended the Central Art Academy Middle School to study painting before eventually studying directing at the Beijing Film Academy
.
(1993), was an independent feature shot on the weekends in Beijing and starring Wang’s friends as two artists. The film did well overseas, where it announced Wang as a major new voice, but it also caught the wrath of the Chinese authorities, who included Wang in its sweeping ban on six filmmakers (including Tian Zhuangzhuang
, Zhang Yuan
, and He Jianjun
) in April 1994. As a result, Wang followed up The Days with another foray into the art world of Beijing using the moniker "Wu Ming" (literally, "no name" or "anonymous"). Entitled Frozen
, the film was shot in 1994 but not released until 1997.
After a lengthy period of self-criticism, Wang was finally allowed to start making films again. In contrast to both Frozen and The Days, which both took place in Beijing, Wang’s next film, So Close to Paradise
(1998), saw him return to his childhood home of Wuhan to film a story of two migrant workers who become involved in a kidnapping. So Close to Paradise also marked the first time Wang operated under the Chinese movie-making authorities, but even then, the film was subject to multiple acts of censorship, and it ultimately received a very limited release in China only after many years had passed.
Wang followed up Paradise with the family comedy The House in 1999. Lost to obscurity, The House was essentially Wang's apology to the Beijing Film Studio for the bureaucratic morass that marked the release of So Close to Paradise. Wang decided to direct a simplistic comedy, one that would be sure to pass the censors with a minimum of fuss.
that Wang rose to truly international success. The winner of the Silver Bear Jury Grand Prix
at the Berlin Film Festival, Beijing Bicycle wowed critics with its story of a youth's search for his stolen bicycle, particularly with its shades of Vittorio De Sica
's 1948 Bicycle Thieves
.
After the success of Beijing Bicycle, Wang made Drifters (2003) which screened at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival
in competition for the Prix Un Certain Regard, though it didn't win any prizes. Shanghai Dreams
(2005), however, managed to win Cannes's Prix du Jury award.
2008 saw the premiere of Wang's film, In Love We Trust
(also known as Left Right) in the Berlin Film Festival, a modern drama about a divorced couple, where it would win a Silver Bear for Best Screenplay. Wang's next planned project, 11 Flowers recently won the Pusan Promotion Prize or PPP for $20,000.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and occasional actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He is commonly grouped under the loose association of filmmakers known as the Sixth Generation of the Cinema of China
Cinema of China
The Chinese-language cinema has three distinct historical threads: Cinema of Hong Kong, Cinema of China, and Cinema of Taiwan. Since 1949 the cinema of mainland China has operated under restrictions imposed by the Communist Party of China's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television and...
.
Many of Wang's works are known for their sensitive portrayal of teens and youths, most notable in films such as Beijing Bicycle
Beijing Bicycle
Beijing Bicycle is a 2001 Chinese drama film by Sixth Generation Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai, with joint investment from the Taiwanese Arc Light Films and the French Pyramide Productions. The film stars first-time actors Cui Lin and Li Bin, supported by the already established actresses Zhou...
, So Close to Paradise
So Close to Paradise
So Close to Paradise is a 1998 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai, a member of Chinese cinema's so-called Sixth Generation. It is alternatively known by the English title Ruan's Song or by its original Chinese title, The Girl From Vietnam...
, Drifters, and Shanghai Dreams
Shanghai Dreams
Shanghai Dreams is a 2005 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai and starring Gao Yuanyuan, Li Bin, Tang Yang, Wang Xiaoyang, and Yao Anlian. The film was produced by Stellar Megamedia, Debo Films Ltd...
. His 2008 film In Love We Trust
In Love We Trust
In Love We Trust is a 2008 Chinese drama film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai. Originally set to premiere at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and then the Venice Film Festival the same year, the film eventually missed both, ultimately premiering at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival...
was an exception as it portrays marital strains.
He also served as a member of the jury of the BigScreen Italia Film Festival 2006
BigScreen Festival
The BigScreen festival or "BigScreen Italia" is a film festival that focuses on Chinese and Italian cinema. It was first held in 2004 in Padua, Italy, but has recently been moved to Kunming, Yunnan, China.-BigScreen Asia '01:...
, held in Kunming
Kunming
' is the capital and largest city of Yunnan Province in Southwest China. It was known as Yunnan-Fou until the 1920s. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, communications and cultural centre of Yunnan, and is the seat of the provincial government...
, Yunnan, China.
Early life and education
Wang Xiaoshuai was born in 1966 in ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
but spent the first thirteen years of his life in Guiyang
Guiyang
Guiyang is the capital of Guizhou province of Southwest China. It is located in the centre of the province, situated on the east of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, and on the north bank of the Nanming River, a branch of the Wu River. The city has an elevation of about 1,100 meters...
, the capital of Guizhou
Guizhou
' is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the southwestern part of the country. Its provincial capital city is Guiyang.- History :...
in southwestern China as a result of upheaval during the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
. While in Guiyang, Wang became interested in and began studying painting. By 1979, he and his family had moved to Wuhan
Wuhan
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, People's Republic of China, and is the most populous city in Central China. It lies at the east of the Jianghan Plain, and the intersection of the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han rivers...
. When he was 15, Wang moved to Beijing where he attended the Central Art Academy Middle School to study painting before eventually studying directing at the Beijing Film Academy
Beijing Film Academy
Beijing Film Academy is a coeducational state-run higher education institution in Beijing, China. The film school is the largest institution specialised in the tertiary education for film and television production in Asia...
.
Early works
After his graduation from the Beijing Film Academy, Wang spent some time working under the PRC studio system before starting out on his own. His first film, The DaysThe Days (film)
The Days is filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai's 1993 directorial debut. Filmed entirely in black-and-white, The Days follows the life of Dong , and Chun , married artists who have recently graduated from the Beijing Art Institute...
(1993), was an independent feature shot on the weekends in Beijing and starring Wang’s friends as two artists. The film did well overseas, where it announced Wang as a major new voice, but it also caught the wrath of the Chinese authorities, who included Wang in its sweeping ban on six filmmakers (including Tian Zhuangzhuang
Tian Zhuangzhuang
Tian Zhuangzhuang is a Chinese film director and producer.Tian was born to an influential actor and actress in China. Following a short stint in the military, Tian began his artistic career first as an amateur photographer and then as an assistant cinematographer at the Beijing Agricultural Film...
, Zhang Yuan
Zhang Yuan
Zhang Yuan is a Chinese film director who has been described by film scholars as a pioneering member of China's Sixth Generation of filmmakers...
, and He Jianjun
He Jianjun
He Jianjun is a Chinese film director and screenwriter. A graduate of the Beijing Film Academy, He is considered a leading voice in the so-called "Sixth Generation." He is occasionally credited under the name "He Yi."- Career :...
) in April 1994. As a result, Wang followed up The Days with another foray into the art world of Beijing using the moniker "Wu Ming" (literally, "no name" or "anonymous"). Entitled Frozen
Frozen (1997 film)
Frozen is a 1997 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai. The film was originally shot in 1994, but was banned by Chinese authorities and had to be smuggled out of the country. Moreover, Wang was operating under a blacklisting from the Chinese Film Bureau that was imposed after his previous film,...
, the film was shot in 1994 but not released until 1997.
After a lengthy period of self-criticism, Wang was finally allowed to start making films again. In contrast to both Frozen and The Days, which both took place in Beijing, Wang’s next film, So Close to Paradise
So Close to Paradise
So Close to Paradise is a 1998 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai, a member of Chinese cinema's so-called Sixth Generation. It is alternatively known by the English title Ruan's Song or by its original Chinese title, The Girl From Vietnam...
(1998), saw him return to his childhood home of Wuhan to film a story of two migrant workers who become involved in a kidnapping. So Close to Paradise also marked the first time Wang operated under the Chinese movie-making authorities, but even then, the film was subject to multiple acts of censorship, and it ultimately received a very limited release in China only after many years had passed.
Wang followed up Paradise with the family comedy The House in 1999. Lost to obscurity, The House was essentially Wang's apology to the Beijing Film Studio for the bureaucratic morass that marked the release of So Close to Paradise. Wang decided to direct a simplistic comedy, one that would be sure to pass the censors with a minimum of fuss.
International success
Despite the numerous films to his credit at this point, it was not until Beijing BicycleBeijing Bicycle
Beijing Bicycle is a 2001 Chinese drama film by Sixth Generation Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai, with joint investment from the Taiwanese Arc Light Films and the French Pyramide Productions. The film stars first-time actors Cui Lin and Li Bin, supported by the already established actresses Zhou...
that Wang rose to truly international success. The winner of the Silver Bear Jury Grand Prix
Jury Grand Prix
The Jury Grand Prix is a Silver Bear award given by the jury at the Berlin International Film Festival to one of the feature films in competition...
at the Berlin Film Festival, Beijing Bicycle wowed critics with its story of a youth's search for his stolen bicycle, particularly with its shades of Vittorio De Sica
Vittorio de Sica
Vittorio De Sica was an Italian director and actor, a leading figure in the neorealist movement....
's 1948 Bicycle Thieves
Bicycle Thieves
Bicycle Thieves , also known as The Bicycle Thief, is a 1948 Italian neorealist film directed by Vittorio De Sica. It tells the story of a poor man searching the streets of Rome for his stolen bicycle, which he needs to be able to work. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Luigi...
.
After the success of Beijing Bicycle, Wang made Drifters (2003) which screened at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival
2003 Cannes Film Festival
The 2003 Cannes Film Festival started on May 14 and ran until May 25. The Palme d'Or went to the American film Elephant by Gus Van Sant.-Jury:* Patrice Chéreau, President * Aishwarya Rai * Meg Ryan * Karin Viard...
in competition for the Prix Un Certain Regard, though it didn't win any prizes. Shanghai Dreams
Shanghai Dreams
Shanghai Dreams is a 2005 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai and starring Gao Yuanyuan, Li Bin, Tang Yang, Wang Xiaoyang, and Yao Anlian. The film was produced by Stellar Megamedia, Debo Films Ltd...
(2005), however, managed to win Cannes's Prix du Jury award.
2008 saw the premiere of Wang's film, In Love We Trust
In Love We Trust
In Love We Trust is a 2008 Chinese drama film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai. Originally set to premiere at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and then the Venice Film Festival the same year, the film eventually missed both, ultimately premiering at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival...
(also known as Left Right) in the Berlin Film Festival, a modern drama about a divorced couple, where it would win a Silver Bear for Best Screenplay. Wang's next planned project, 11 Flowers recently won the Pusan Promotion Prize or PPP for $20,000.
As director
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Pinyin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 1993 in film The year 1993 in film involved many significant films, including the blockbuster hits Jurassic Park, The Fugitive and The Firm. -Events:... |
The Days The Days (film) The Days is filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai's 1993 directorial debut. Filmed entirely in black-and-white, The Days follows the life of Dong , and Chun , married artists who have recently graduated from the Beijing Art Institute... |
冬春的日子 | Dōng chūn de rì zì | |
| 1997 1997 in film -Events:* The original Star Wars trilogy's Special Editions are released.* Production begins on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.* Titanic becomes the first film to gross US$1,000,000,000 at the box office making it the highest grossing film in history until Avatar broke the record in 2010.*... |
Frozen Frozen (1997 film) Frozen is a 1997 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai. The film was originally shot in 1994, but was banned by Chinese authorities and had to be smuggled out of the country. Moreover, Wang was operating under a blacklisting from the Chinese Film Bureau that was imposed after his previous film,... |
极度寒冷 | Jí dù hán lěng | Made under the pseudonym Wu Ming |
| 1998 1998 in film -Events:* February 14 - Sharon Stone marries Phil Bronstein.* Former child star Gary Coleman is charged with assaulting a young female bus driver at a California shopping mall.-Top grossing films:... |
So Close to Paradise So Close to Paradise So Close to Paradise is a 1998 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai, a member of Chinese cinema's so-called Sixth Generation. It is alternatively known by the English title Ruan's Song or by its original Chinese title, The Girl From Vietnam... |
扁担·姑娘 | Biǎn dān, gū niáng | Also known as Ruan's Song |
| 1999 1999 in film The year 1999 in film involved several noteworthy events and has been called "The Year That Changed Movies". Several significant feature films, including Stanley Kubrick's final film Eyes Wide Shut, Pedro Almodóvar's first Oscar-winning film All About My Mother, science fiction The Matrix, Deep... |
The House The House (1999 film) The House is a 1999 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai. It is rarely, if ever, screened abroad, and remains one of Wang Xiaoshuai's least well-known works outside of China. It is alternatively referred to as Suburban Dreams, Fantasy Garden or Dream House. The film was produced by the Beijing... |
梦幻田园 | Mèng huàn tián yuán | Also known as Suburban Dreams or Fantasy Garden |
| 2001 2001 in film The year 2001 in film involved some significant events, including the first of the Harry Potter series and also the first of The Lord of the Rings trilogy... |
Beijing Bicycle Beijing Bicycle Beijing Bicycle is a 2001 Chinese drama film by Sixth Generation Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai, with joint investment from the Taiwanese Arc Light Films and the French Pyramide Productions. The film stars first-time actors Cui Lin and Li Bin, supported by the already established actresses Zhou... |
十七岁的单车 | Shí qī suì de dān chē | |
| 2002 2002 in film The year 2002 in film involved some significant events. The first significant releases of sequels took place between The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Men in Black II, Analyze That, Spy Kids 2: The Island of... |
"The New Year" | Part of the Korean anthology film Anthology film An anthology film is a feature film consisting of several different short films, often tied together by only a single theme, premise, or brief interlocking event . Sometimes each one is directed by a different director... , After War |
||
| 2003 2003 in film The year 2003 in film involved some significant events. Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Pokémon Heroes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,... |
Drifters | 二弟 | Èr dì | |
| 2005 2005 in film - Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005... |
Shanghai Dreams Shanghai Dreams Shanghai Dreams is a 2005 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai and starring Gao Yuanyuan, Li Bin, Tang Yang, Wang Xiaoyang, and Yao Anlian. The film was produced by Stellar Megamedia, Debo Films Ltd... |
青红 | Qīng hóng | |
| 2008 2008 in film This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008... |
In Love We Trust In Love We Trust In Love We Trust is a 2008 Chinese drama film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai. Originally set to premiere at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and then the Venice Film Festival the same year, the film eventually missed both, ultimately premiering at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival... |
左右 | Zuǒ yòu | |
| 2010 2010 in film The year 2010 saw many new films released worldwide. 2010 saw a dramatic increase and prominence in the use of 3D-technology in filmmaking and film releases after the success of Avatar in the format, with releases such as Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the Titans, Jackass 3D, all animated films and... |
Chongqing Blues Chongqing Blues Chongqing Blues is a 2010 Chinese drama film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai. It was selected for the main competition at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Wang Xueqi as Lin Quanhai, the father* Fan Bingbing as Zhu Qing, the doctor... |
日照重慶 | Rìzhào Chóngqìng | |
| 2011 | 11 Flowers | |||
As actor
| Year | Title | Director | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 1994 in film 1994 was a significant year in film.The top grosser worldwide was The Lion King, which to date stands as the highest-grossing traditionally-animated film of all time... |
Weekend Lover Weekend Lover Weekend Lover is the 1995 directorial debut by Chinese director Lou Ye. The film stars actors Jia Hongsheng and Ma Xiaoqing. Fellow director Wang Xiaoshuai also plays a minor role.... |
Lou Ye Lou Ye Lou Ye , born 1965, is a Chinese writer-director who is commonly grouped with the "Sixth Generation" directors of Chinese cinema.-Films:Born in Shanghai, Lou was educated at the Beijing Film Academy. In 1993, he made his first film Weekend Lover, but it was not released until two years later in 1995... |
Zhang Chi |
| 1998 1998 in film -Events:* February 14 - Sharon Stone marries Phil Bronstein.* Former child star Gary Coleman is charged with assaulting a young female bus driver at a California shopping mall.-Top grossing films:... |
The Red Violin The Red Violin The Red Violin is a 1998 Canadian drama film directed by François Girard. It spans three centuries and five countries as it tells the story of a mysterious violin and its many owners... |
François Girard François Girard François Girard is a French-Canadian director and screenwriter particularly noted for his innovative film Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould. Born in Quebec, Girard's career began on the Montreal art video circuit... |
Junior policeman |
| 2004 2004 in film The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol... |
The World The World (film) The World is a 2004 Chinese film written and directed by Jia Zhangke. Starring Jia's muse, Zhao Tao, as well as Chen Taisheng, The World was filmed on and around an actual theme park located in Beijing, Beijing World Park, which recreates world landmarks at reduced scales for Chinese tourists. The... |
Jia Zhangke Jia Zhangke Jia Zhangke is a Chinese film director. He is generally regarded as a leading figure of the "Sixth Generation" movement of Chinese cinema, a group that also includes such figures as Wang Xiaoshuai and Zhang Yuan.... |
|
| 2006 2006 in film - Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2006... |
Karmic Mahjong Karmic Mahjong Karmic Mahjong is a 2006 Chinese comedy film directed by Wang Guangli. It stars Francis Ng as a mechanic from Chengdu plagued by bad luck and Cherrie Ying as a young woman who appears to share the same affliction... |
Wang Guangli Wang Guangli Wang Guangli , nicknamed "King Death" is a film director. A native of Sichuan—and a psychology professor by education—Wang eventually turned to film, making underground independent features that were often censored due to their political content... |
External links
- Wang Xiaoshuai at the Chinese Movie Database
- Wang Xiaoshuai at Senses of Cinema
- BigScreen Festival homepage