Kyrgyzstan’s ‘Black Red Yellow’ Wins Best Picture at Expanded 2025 Shanghai Film Festival
The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival awarded Kyrgyzstan’s “Black Red Yellow” Best Picture, lauding its exploration of rural life. The event featured multiple international films and reflected on the rise of AI in cinema. With activities expanding across Shanghai, the festival demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement and showcased broad global talent.
The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival recently concluded with an impressive display of global cinema at the Golden Goblet awards. Filmmakers from diverse regions, including Kyrgyzstan and Portugal, graced the stage to accept accolades in a vibrant ceremony held at the Shanghai Grand Theatre. Jury president Giuseppe Tornatore, famed for his Oscar-winning film “Cinema Paradiso,” praised the festival’s varied selections, stating, “Each competition film was unique… and magnificent.”
The highlight of the evening was definitely Kyrgyz filmmaker Aktan Arym Kubat’s feature, “Black Red Yellow,” which won the coveted Best Picture award. The jury commended the film for its authentic representation of life and the complexities of marriage in rural settings. The Jury Grand Prix was awarded to two films—Japan’s “On Summer Sand,” by Shinya Tamada, featuring heartthrob Joe Odigiri, and China’s innovative thriller “Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts” by Wang Tong, recognized as a significant new voice in Chinese cinema.
Jose Martins, a veteran actor from Portugal, took home the Best Actor honor for his powerful portrayal in the co-production “The Scent of Things Remembered,” where he plays a haunted older man shaped by his past. Tornatore’s leadership as jury head brought a blend of experience and vision; he was seen at the festival not only addressing eager viewers but also attending sold-out screenings of his own work. This year, an impressive 600 of the festival’s 1,500 films had sold out early.
On the local front, veteran filmmaker Cao Baoping won Best Director for his comedy “One Wacky Summer,” while the artistic achievement award went to director Qiu Sheng for his AI-themed drama “My Father’s Son.” Additionally, newcomer Bian Zhou earned recognition in the Asia New Talent section with his historical epic “As the Water Flows.”
The festival drew significant European participation, reflecting a growing interest in utilizing opportunities in China amidst Hollywood’s challenges. Germany presented strong contenders like Julia Roesler’s “Luisa,” displaying a nuanced perspective on disability, and “You Believe in Angels, Mr Drowak?” by Nicolas Steiner, a stylish exploration steeped in humor.
AI technologies and their cinematic implications were a predominant theme at the event. The opening night showcased a unique montage that blended AI-generated imagery with classic films, and the festival featured a standout project titled “Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project: 100 Classics AI Revitalization” aiming to reimagine iconic kung-fu films using modern technology. Hu Min, from the China Film Foundation, expressed hope that such initiatives would bolster the evolution of Chinese action cinema.
The festival strived to extend its reach across Shanghai, a city of 25 million, by screening about 400 films in 40 cinemas and expanding activities into neighboring cities like Hangzhou and Nanjing. Innovative engagements, dubbed the “ticket-stub economy,” encouraged audiences to exchange their stubs for various incentives. Prominent director Peter Chan added a personal touch, visiting multiple screenings of his festival opener, emphasizing Shanghai’s historical significance as a cinema hub.
With its broad array of films and distinctive community outreach, the Shanghai International Film Festival highlighted a global cinematic conversation while also acknowledging the unique developments within China’s film landscape. As the festival wrapped up, the culmination of new voices and technologies in film created an atmosphere of excitement for future cinema.
The conclusion of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival highlighted the diversity and talent across global cinema. From Kyrgyzstan’s “Black Red Yellow” winning Best Picture to notable accolades for local and international artists, the festival showcased a wide range of storytelling. As the film industry increasingly embraces technology like AI, the festival’s growth into multiple cities reflects its commitment to connect more deeply with the audience and foster cinematic culture.
Original Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com
