Kyrgyzstan’s ‘Black Red Yellow’ Wins Best Picture at Expanded 2025…

The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival concluded with Kyrgyzstan’s “Black Red Yellow” winning Best Picture. The awards recognized diverse films from around the globe, including joint honors for Japan’s “On Summer Sand” and China’s “Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts.” The festival showcased strong domestic talent while also emphasizing the growing role of AI in filmmaking. Organizers expanded the festival’s reach across Shanghai and neighboring cities, enhancing audience engagement with festival activities.

The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival wrapped up with a captivating ceremony at the Shanghai Grand Theatre, where the Golden Goblet awards were presented to remarkable filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, notably including Kyrgyzstan and Portugal. This year’s jury president, Giuseppe Tornatore, Oscar-winning director of “Cinema Paradiso,” expressed his admiration for the variety and caliber of the films, stating, “Each competition film was unique… and magnificent.”

In a significant victory, the Best Picture award was claimed by “Black Red Yellow,” a thought-provoking exploration of marriage directed by Kyrgyz filmmaker Aktan Arym Kubat. The jury praised the film for its ability to “reflect the fabric of life,” highlighting how it resonated on both personal and cultural levels.

The Jury Grand Prix was awarded jointly to Japanese filmmaker Shinya Tamada for “On Summer Sand,” featuring Joe Odigiri as a man rediscovering hope, and China’s Wang Tong for his debut film “Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts,” which was lauded as a fresh, important voice in Chinese cinema.

Jose Martins took home the Best Actor award for his haunting portrayal in the Portuguese-Brazilian film “The Scent of Things Remembered,” directed by Antonio Ferreira. His role as an aging racist marked by his war experiences has been described as a standout performance of the festival.

The festival saw a strong domestic presence this year, too. Veteran director Cao Baoping received the Best Director award for his energetic comedy “One Wacky Summer,” while the Artistic Achievement trophy went to rising filmmaker Qiu Sheng for his AI-themed drama “My Father’s Son.” Emerging talent Bian Zhou won in the Asia New Talent category for his ambitious historical epic “As the Water Flows,” a critical favorite among local audiences.

European filmmakers made their mark as well, showcasing an array of compelling films. Notably, Germany presented two strong entries vying for awards in the main competition, including Julia Roesler’s touching portrait of disabled life, “Luisa,” and the intriguing German-Swiss co-production “You Believe in Angels, Mr Drowak?” directed by Nicolas Steiner, promising a global appeal.

AI’s influence was palpably felt throughout the festival, underscoring the growing interest in technology’s role in storytelling. An opening montage featured AI-enhanced imagery alongside classic films, including a unique segment featuring E.T. Furthermore, the highlight of the festival was the “Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project: 100 Classics AI Revitalization,” a collaboration with the China Film Foundation aimed at revitalizing iconic martial arts films. Hu Min, the Foundation’s director, remarked on the project’s potential to shape a new Chinese action film narrative.

This year, organizers aimed to expand the festival’s reach across Shanghai, a sprawling metropolis home to around 25 million residents. The festival screened approximately 400 films in 40 different cinemas, including sites in neighboring cities such as Hangzhou and Nanjing. Initiatives like the “ticket-stub economy” allowed festival-goers to exchange their stubs for exclusive merchandise and experiences.

Notably, industry figures increased their interaction with audiences to foster goodwill, exemplified by Peter Chan’s whirlwind tour of screenings for his film “She’s Got No Name.” “When cinema in China started, Shanghai was the hub,” Chan commented, reflecting a resurgence of that vibrant cinematic energy.

To summarize, the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival showcased an impressive array of international films, with Kyrgyzstan’s “Black Red Yellow” taking home the Best Picture award. Highlights included joint Jury Grand Prix winners, strong performances in various categories, and a focus on emerging technologies in cinema. The festival embraced expansion efforts to incorporate a broader audience by screening films in multiple cities and enhancing guest engagement, indicating a vibrant future for the event and global cinema.

Original Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com