Guangdong Film Festival Invites you to enjoy Five Chinese movies!

Guangdong Art Film Festival Canada Screening - Film Lineup

10:00 - 11:25 Opening Film Blossoms of Luck 85”

12:30 - 14:01 Feature Film I Am the Wind 91“

14:30 - 16:20 Feature Film Lady Qiao 110“

16:50 - 18:20 Documentary Film Whisperers 90“

18:50 - 20:31 Feature Film Legend of the White Snake·Love 101”

1. "Legend of the White Snake·Love"

• Genre: Drama/Romance/Traditional Opera

• Duration: 101 minutes

Synopsis

As China's first 4K panoramic sound Cantonese opera film, it is adapted from the folk tale "Legend of the White Snake". Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian had an unresolved past life bond; after practicing cultivation for a thousand years, Bai Suzhen still cherished deep memories, while Xu Xian had forgotten his past through several reincarnations. Thus, Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing descended to the mortal world to find Xu Xian and renew their romantic fate. On a rainy day by West Lake, Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian fell in love under an umbrella, becoming a loving couple. However, Fa Hai, adhering strictly to Buddhist doctrines, refused to allow Bai Suzhen, a supernatural being, to form a bond with Xu Xian in the mortal world. During the Dragon Boat Festival, Bai Suzhen accidentally revealed her true serpent form after drinking wine, leaving Xu Xian terrified and on the verge of death. Determined to save her husband, Bai Suzhen ventured to Kunlun Mountain to seek the life-saving ganoderma lucidum. Upon waking up, Xu Xian was filled with doubts and followed Fa Hai. Enraged, Bai Suzhen flooded Jinshan Temple to demand her husband's return, enduring severe injuries yet remaining unwavering in her love. Eventually, Xu Xian had an epiphany, searched for his wife at Broken Bridge, and the couple poured out their heartfelt feelings to each other... Buddha showed mercy beyond the law, allowing Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian to fulfill their long-cherished wish and continue their thousand-year love.

Awards & Selections

• "Outstanding Traditional Opera Film" at the 18th China Film Huabiao Awards

• Nomination for "Best Traditional Opera Film" at the 33rd China Film Golden Rooster Awards

• Box Office Champion of Cantonese Opera Films in Chinese Film History

• Selected Film of the "Look Future" Section at the 11th Beijing International Film Festival

• Selected Film of the Traditional Opera Section at the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival

2."Whisperers"

• Genre: Documentary Film

• Duration: 90 minutes

Synopsis

"Whisperers" tells an inspirational story of two contemporary women who grow and transform into better versions of themselves on their life journeys, guided by Nüshu—an ancient intangible cultural heritage. Originating from Jiangyong, Hunan, Nüshu has a history of over a thousand years and is the world's only writing system exclusively used by women. During the long feudal era, women quietly shared stories, formed friendships, and passed on hope through Nüshu. Hu Xin is a local Nüshu inheritor in Jiangyong who was struggling to get back on her feet after a failed marriage. During this difficult period, she formed a cross-generational friendship with He Yanxin, the last natural inheritor of Nüshu. The two confided in each other and encouraged one another. The other protagonist, Simu, is from the city and encountered Nüshu by fate. Her unwavering commitment to the cause of Nüshu led to deep differences with her boyfriend, who held the traditional concept of "men governing outside and women managing inside". Both Hu Xin and Simu encountered Nüshu at critical stages of their lives. With its gentle yet subtle power, Nüshu prompted them to re-examine gender perception in the context of contemporary society, leading to new insights into love, career, and gender relations. Accompanied and guided by Nüshu, they grew into more independent and complete selves at important junctures of their respective lives.

Awards & Selections

• Selections:

a. Rated by the British Film Institute as "one of the most beautiful and transformative documentaries of the year"

b. Shortlist for the 95th Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature

c. Documentary Feature Competition at the 21st Tribeca Film Festival

d. Main Competition at New Zealand's Doc Edge Film Festival

e. 69th Sydney International Film Festival

• Awards:

a. Jury Award at the Austin Asian American Film Festival (USA)

b. Audience Favorite Film Award at the Austin Asian American Film Festival (USA)

c. Best Norwegian Documentary Feature at the Bergen International Film Festival (Norway)

d. Jury Award at the Heartland Film Festival (USA)

e. Jury Award at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (USA)

f. Audience Favorite Award at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (USA)

g. Special Jury Award at Nordic Docs (Norway)

3."Bloosoms of Luck"

• Genre: Documentary Film

• Duration: 85 minutes

Synopsis

"Xing Huajie (Walking Through the Flower Market)" is the first documentary focusing on the national intangible cultural heritage—Lingnan's "Spring Festival Flower Market" (Xing Huajie). Born against the backdrop of "Spring Festival—the social practice of Chinese people celebrating the traditional New Year" being inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the film is a cinematic tribute and in-depth interpretation of this world-class cultural heritage. It not only documents this traditional New Year custom but also strives to inherit the essence of Cantonese culture, polish the historical and cultural brand of "Xihu Road Flower Market", and inject cinematic power into spreading excellent traditional Chinese culture to the world and promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning. Adopting anthropological observation as its core creative method, the film focuses on the century-old "Xihu Spring Festival Flower Market" in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou—a classic cultural IP—from the perspective of the "Cultural Bay Area". Through immersive and panoramic shooting techniques, the creative team meticulously captures vivid moments throughout the entire chain: from flower farmers' cultivation, flower merchants' operation and preparation, government administrative coordination to citizens and tourists' visiting and shopping. The work vividly showcases the unique lifestyle and cultural character of Cantonese people who "love flowers by nature, admire flowers as a custom, use flowers in traditions, and grow flowers as a career". With delicate and authentic images, it profoundly interprets the credible, lovely, and respectable image of China rooted in daily life, full of vitality and warmth.

Awards & Selections

• Nomination for "Best Documentary Film" at the 15th China Documentary Academy Awards

• Nomination for "Golden Swallow Award" at the 2nd Asian Art Film Festival

• "Annual Best Documentary" at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Film Industry Conference

4."Lady Qiao"

• Genre: History/Traditional Opera

• Duration: 110 minutes

Synopsis

The film tells the story of Xian Ying, hailed as "the first heroine in history", who devoted her entire life to upholding national unity. When the Sui Dynasty was established, the general Wei Guang led the Sui army to confront Xian Ying's troops, putting her at a crucial crossroads in her life. At that time, Prince Jin Yang Guang was ordered to persuade Xian Ying to submit to the Sui Dynasty, bringing a letter and a rhinoceros staff from Emperor Chen Shubao. Meanwhile, Wang Zhongxuan, learning of this, seized the opportunity to plot against them—he planned to kill Yang Guang, destroy the secret negotiations, sabotage the peace, and launch a rebellion. In an instant, the situation became tense, and the fate of the entire tribe rested heavily on Xian Ying's shoulders. With various forces plotting in the shadows, Xian Ying faced a difficult decision regarding the survival of her tribe. Memories of the past surged forth: her meeting and falling in love with her husband Feng Bao, overcoming obstacles to form a marriage alliance; governing with benevolence as her principle, administering impartial and benevolent rule to win over various tribes and reform the Li people; establishing Yazhou and reclaiming and developing Hainan; sparing no effort to assist in suppressing the Hou Jing Rebellion, and befriending and supporting Chen Baxian in founding the Chen Dynasty. These memories strengthened her lifelong belief. In the end, she turned the tide, unwaveringly choosing peace and national reunification, submitting to the Sui Dynasty, quashing Wang Zhongxuan's rebellion, and bringing lasting peace and prosperity to Lingnan. Revered by the people as the "Holy Mother of Lingnan", Xian Ying was conferred the title of "Lady Qiao", becoming an unparalleled heroine for thousands of years.

Awards & Selections

• Nomination for "Best Traditional Opera Film" at the 36th China Film Golden Rooster Awards

• The 12th Guangdong Provincial Spiritual Civilization Construction "Five-One Project" Award

• "Outstanding Traditional Opera Film" at the 10th China Traditional Opera Film Festival

5. "I Am the Wind!"

• Genre: Inspirational/Growth/Children

• Duration: 91 minutes

Synopsis

In 2020, A Cheng, a 13-year-old one-armed boy from a rural area in Western Guangdong, became an internet sensation with his extraordinary basketball skills! As the son of a stonemason, he lost his right arm at the age of five but never gave up on himself. Driven by his passion for basketball, he practiced diligently day after day, harboring the dream of becoming a professional basketball player rather than limiting himself to the Paralympic Games. With the strong support of his parents and principal, A Cheng, relying on his incredible willpower and self-developed scientific training methods, surprisingly defeated able-bodied opponents and won the championship at the provincial youth basketball competition. After rising to fame, he stayed true to his original aspiration, resolutely resisting the temptations of quick success and excessive commercialization, and persisted in pursuing his basketball dream. The film uses Yazhu, an urban white-collar worker who returns to her hometown to carry out a "mysterious mission" as a clue, unfolding this passionate and touching legendary story. Based on the true experience of Zhang Jiacheng, a "Good Youth of the New Era" in Guangdong and a one-armed teenager from Gaocun Town, Yunfu City, Guangdong Province, the film features Zhang Jiacheng himself in the leading role of A Cheng.

Awards & Selections

• Nomination for "Best Children's Film" at the 19th China International Children's Film Festival

• The 11th Guangdong Provincial Spiritual Civilization Construction "Five-One Project" Award

• "Annual Recommended Film" by China Film Association for Children and Youth