The cast of Beijing Flickers Photo: Courtesy of Zhang Yuan
When a wave of young people rushes into the bustling metropolis of Beijing for jobs and opportunities, they encounter failure, betrayal and not-so-glamorous living conditions. These difficult times define the experience of beipiao (drifters in Beijing).
Controversial filmmaker Zhang Yuan's new movie Beijing Flickers, which will hit the big screen on November 8, presents the realities of life as a nobody in China's capital.
As one of the leading figures of China's sixth generation of directors, Zhang keeps his focus on the gritty truths of life in China, particularly as seen through the eyes of young people.
His previous films, including Beijing Bastards (1993), have won numerous awards at international film festivals, including the Three Continents Festival in France, Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland and Venice International Film Festival. Zhang has also served as a judge in many international film festivals.
Though extremely successful, Zhang's filmmaking career didn't start out smoothly. Many of his early films won awards overseas, but were banned at home.
Zhang took time away from creating full-length films in 2009, turning instead to shorts in 2012. But now, Beijing Flickers marks Zhang's plucky return to feature films.
Independent spirit
Zhang set a lot of firsts: director of the first independent film, the first film about rock'n'roll, the first film featuring gay love in China.
His first "first" was his debut film, Mama (1989), made as his Beijing Film Academy graduation project. The film was produced outside all the official channels and completely self-financed. It went on to be shown around the world.
However, in an age when movies in China were only allowed to be made with licenses from approved film companies, this non-licensed, independent film was banned, despite the accolades from overseas.
But Zhang didn't stop. In 1992 he released Beijing Bastards, another unlicensed film. In that movie, Cui Jian - the "godfather of Chinese rock'n'roll" - plays the leading role. It portrays the struggling lives of rock singers, pregnant young women and poor artists.
At that time, unlicensed films were not allowed and entering international film festivals without permission was also forbidden, especially for films with very realistic depictions of poverty, according to an article in the magazine Circle.
This film soon joined the ranks of Zhang's award-winning but banned films. Zhang thus earned the title "director of banned films."
Zhang was personally banned from making any films until 1998.
After the ban was lifted, Zhang created films such as I Love You (2003), Green Tea (2003), Little Red Flowers (2006) and several documentaries. Beijing Flickers marks Zhang's first production in several years. His art-house films have played an important role in Chinese film industry.
Yet, Zhang declared: "Love it or not, [Beijing Flickers] is my last art film."
Having guts
The Chinese name for Beijing Flickers, You Zhong, means "having guts."
Zhang named it so because the young people he spoke with have the guts to face the frustration of living in Beijing. In an interview with the Global Times, Zhang said it was part of a larger series he has created about being defiant in the face of hardship.
Zhang first explored this theme in a 2010 photography exhibition shown at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing, titled Unspoiled Brats.
He wanted to illustrate the lives of young people in Beijing through pictures. He interviewed more than 200 people, listening to each of their stories.
Zhang recalled those he interviewed for the photo exhibition, saying that they were trying hard to make a living in this city. After the exhibition, he chose a few and dug deeper into their stories. He then turned to film to present the state of their lives and their minds. The actors are essentially playing themselves.
"Beijing Flickers originates from Beijing Bastards, in that at that time, I saw the catharsis that young people were going through in this city," Zhang said. "Now, after 20 years, those youngsters are getting old. What is the new generation of young people doing? In this big city, those who born after 1980, how do they live?"
'Darkness could be a lamp'
One of the characters of the film, a female singer named You Zi, is replaced by her bandmates behind her back. Her high aspirations and hardships early on in her career bear many similarities to Faye Wong, now one of the biggest musical icons in China.
Zhang said You Zi is a reflection of those today's big singers.
"They all have been abandoned and betrayed, but they persevered," said the actress who portrays You Zi, Li Xiyun. "It could be anyone. But this is the story of You Zi."
Zhang admires the stories and struggles behind this generation.
"They became remarkable people because they all had those difficulties and frustrations which are the best gifts for youngsters," he said.
Perhaps one line from the film best sums up this idea: "Where there is no light, darkness could be a lamp."
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