At the 20th Changchun Film Festival, director Fang Li shared his secrets for building cross-border film epics. From The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru to his upcoming Mukden, it’s all about weaving diverse viewpoints into one seamless story. 🎬🌏
1. Deep-Dive Research 🌐
He hits the archives and chats with experts from each country involved, so every detail feels lived-in and real.
2. Local Voices 🗣️
Fang Li teams up with historians, scriptwriters, even descendants of real-life figures to honor different memories.
3. Heartbeats Over Borders ❤️
Despite the history, he focuses on universal themes—courage, hope, unity—to connect with audiences from Delhi to Jakarta.
4. Visual Language 🎥
Rich cinematography and authentic set design transport us across time and place, making history feel like right now.
“Storytelling isn’t about taking sides,” Fang Li says. “It’s about sharing human experiences that transcend geography.”
With this thoughtful approach, Fang Li crafts films that resonate worldwide while staying true to every culture’s voice. We can’t wait to watch Mukden next! 🚀
Reference(s):
Chinese director Fang Li on crafting cross-national histories
cgtn.com
