The annual Toronto International Film Festival has added acclaimed Chinese director Feng Xiaogang’s Youth to its roster, ahead of next month’s opening. Feng’s latest film ‘Youth’ will be one of the ten international films to premiere globally at the festival.
‘Youth’ tells the story of a group of adolescents in an army art troupe in the 1970s to 80s and their coming-of-age. It will be screened in the Special Presentations section at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, while its release date for China has been set for October 1.
Feng is considered one of China’s most influential and commercially successful directors and screenwriters. Often dubbed as ‘China’s Steven Spielberg’, he is known for his comedy and drama works such as The Banquet, Aftershock, Be There or Be Square and The Dream Factory. His 2008 romantic comedy If You Are the One, for example, was the first movie ever to pass the RMB$1 billion milestone in box office in China.
Meanwhile, in China, Feng’s 2016 film ‘I Am Not Madame Bovary‘ is leading nominations at the 26th Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards, one of the country’s biggest film events of the year. The satirical comedy starring Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing has been nominated in six categories including Best Director and Best Actress in a Leading Role. The awards ceremony will be held from Sept 13th to 16th.
Source: China Film Insider