John Woo to head Shanghai Int’l Film Festival jury
Source: Global Times By Mao Renjie
The 13th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), scheduled to run from June 12-20 this year, announced its new jury president this week: A Better Tomorrow and The Killer director John Woo.
According to Woo, who described the film festival as “a spotlighting stage to pres-ent diversity of cultures,” he is honored to chair this year’s jury panel and said it would be a completely new experience.
Woo said in his acceptance announcement that he is looking forward to the festival, based on his love of Shanghai and deep interest in China’s movie industry. He said he hopes to get acquainted with the local industry, with artists from all over the world and with local movie lovers.
Tang Lijun, SIFF’s managing director, explained that they chose Woo as he is respected both in China and abroad.
“Having created a brand-new vision of art with his films, Woo has changed the status of Chinese films in the world and made Hollywood see the abilities of Chinese filmmakers, which is coherent with SIFF’s theme and goal,” Tang said.
Woo is the not first internationally-renowned director invited to chair SIFF. Former jury presidents include Luc Besson, Danny Boyle and Chen Kaige.
Currently producing costume action film Rain of Sword, which stars Michelle Yeoh and Korean actor Jung Woo Sung, Woo said he will bring the film and its cast to the festival and that some of his classics will also be screened.
A new Global Village section has been added to this year’s festival to celebrate World Expo in Shanghai.
