MCLC: SIFF accused of holding fake press conference

[Denton, Kirk]

MCLC LIST
From: Kevin B Lee <kevin at dgeneratefilms.com>
Subject: SIFF accused of holding fake press conference
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Source: Film Biz Asia (6/15/14):
http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/siff-accused-of-holding-fake-press-conference

SIFF accused of holding fake press conference
By Stephen Cremin

Festival News
Organisers of the Shanghai International Film Festival 上海國際電影節
refused to 
take or translate questions about the status of local competition film The
Uncle Victory 勝利 at the jury press conference this afternoon.

The five public screenings of the film at the festival have been quietly
cancelled without any official announcement. The redemption story about a
gangster released from prison will be shown to the jury and is still
officially eligible for the awards.

The film's star HUANG Haibo 黃海波 was arrested last month for solicitation
during a national crackdown on prostitution. The public has supported the
popular television actor, igniting a debate about the legalisation of
prostitution in China.

When a journalists asked if the jury would give preference to the single
Chinese film competing, GONG Li 鞏俐 insisted that there are two Chinese
films in competition. The answer and the question were not translated into
English.

During a question to Japanese juror IWAI Shunji 岩井俊二, a journalist at
the 
back of the room shouted out demanding to know why the festival had
pre-prepared all the audience questions and were ignoring the issue of The
Uncle Victory.

Gong Li said that she'd answer after Iwai had responded to the unrelated
question. But organisers shut down the press conference before she could
speak. Only the question to Iwai and his answer were translated into
English.

The festival had moved the press conference to a smaller room at the last
minute after delaying it for twenty four hours. After, a confused juror
told Film Business Asiathat s/he had received no instructions to not vote
for The Uncle Victory.

It was also announced today that ZHANG Meng 張猛, the film's director, would
not accept interviews at the festival. Other guests refusing interviews
include Pema Tseden 萬瑪才旦, the director of the only other Chinese film in
competition.

During the event, LIU Jie 劉傑 — attending for the third time — said that he
won eight awards, including three main competition prizes, the last time
he attended. "I hear this year we are presenting eight awards. I am happy
to give them back."

Three of the jurors said it was their first time in China. One, South
Korea's IM Sang-soo 임상수 | 林常樹, said that the fact "was shameful".
Answering a later question, he said, "If you give me a chance to shoot a
film in China, I will do it."

Asked about the diverse competition lineup, Gong said that the selection
committee described their criteria in a meeting as striking a balance
between commercial and artistic values. Gong said, "I believe this will be
a trend at festivals in the future."