This year, China Film Co. released a blockbuster hit “Wolf Totem”, aiming for the 2016 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film Award. It will be the only Chinese film entering next year’s Oscar, and it has now be selected to participate in 11th CAFF.
A few weeks ago, GETV had an exclusive interview, a sit-down one-on-one with “Wolf Totem” Director Jean-Jacques Annaud at Sony Pictures’ headquarter in Los Angeles. Jean-Jacques talked about his decades of experience and his concept for shooting films, especially “Wolf Totem” since it was filmed in inner Mongolia. For those who are interested, please visit http://www.channelge.com/category/hollywood_talk_video/. “Wolf Totem” production company China Film Co. Chairman Mr. La Peikang showed great support of this film and was in attendance during the 10th CAFF last year.
Mr. La Peikang (2nd from the right), Mr. James Su CAFF Chairman (2nd from the left), CAFF Co-Chair Andre Morgan (1st from the right), and CAFF GM Slina Lam (2nd to the left) during 10th CAFF in Nov 2014.
Mr. James Su, CAFF Chairman & “Wolf Totem” director Jean-Jacques Annaud
“Wolf Totem” took seven years to complete, as the wolves used in the film were literally raised from puppies. The story is adapted on the 2004 Chinese semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Lu Jiamin. It is starring Feng Shaofeng, Shawn Dou, Ankhnyam Ragchaa, and Basen Zhabu.
The film focuses on the author himself as a prototype with young student Chen Zhen who was sent to Inner Mongolia to teach shepherds. Instead, he learns about the shepherds and the bond they share with the wolves, a bond that is threatened by a government apparatchik. It manifests the reflection of human nature, the relationship between man and nature, and Chinese culture in the rural area.
The novel won the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2007, received high remarks within literature study field. After it was made into a movie, it was also well received globally as one of the finest China-French movie co-productions. It won Best Picture & Best Art Direction during the 2015 Golden Rooster Award in China.
“Wolf Totem” cost 252 million rmb to make, but also received a 700 million rmb in box office sales, the highest for domestic film in art categoryMoreover, the film also enjoyed good reputation in the global community, reflecting on how to treat and protect animals.
The annual CAFF is hosted by EDI Media Inc. and supported by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People’s Republic of China (SARFT), the Embassy & Consulate-General of China in the U.S., Motion Picture Association, U.S. entertainment industry and U.S. politicians. It has become a memorable party that unites Chinese and American film industry. This year’s CAFF will take place from Nov 1 to Nov 30, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, including welcome dinner, forum discussion, opening ceremony, and film screenings.
For more details, please visit CAFF official website www.CAFilmFestival.org or call (626) 856-3889 to learn more information.