In the 1990s, Guan directed a handful of films making a name as an important voice of the sixth generation, most notably with his debut, 1994’s Dirt. A portrayal of Beijing’s rock music scene, Dirt was filmed on a shoestring budget and was funded primarily by lead actress, Kong Lin. Dirt is often compared with another major sixth generation film about the Beijing rock scene, Zhang Yuan’s Beijing Bastards. Unlike that film, Guan Hu paid nearly US$2000 for state studio affiliation, allowing the film to be distributed in China and screened abroad with approval from state regulators.
A leading voice of China’s Sixth Generation directors, Guan Hu is celebrated for his bold style and passionate storytelling. A graduate of the prestigious Beijing Film Academy, Guan made his debut with the critically-acclaimed Dirt in 1994. His 2009 drama Cow was selected into the Horizon Section of the Venice International Film Festival and received seven Golden Horse Awards nominations. Guan’s 2015 crime drama Mr. Six was selected as the Venice Film Festival’s Closing Night Film and featured at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film also won Best Leading Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 52nd Golden Horse Awards. Last year, Guan directed a segment in the anthology drama My People, My Country.
My People, My Country (我和我的祖国) is a 2019 Chinese seven-part anthology drama film, consisting of seven segments directed by seven directors, Chen Kaige, Zhang Yibai, Guan Hu, Xue Xiaolu, Xu Zheng, Ning Hao, and Wen Muye.It stars many of China’s top actors, many in supporting roles and cameos. My People, My Country is produced jointly by Huaxia Film Distribution, Polybona Films and Alibaba Pictures. The film was released in China on September 30, 2019, to … Read more
From the acclaimed filmmaker behind Mr. Six comes a riveting war epic. In 1937, eight hundred Chinese soldiers fight under siege from a warehouse in the middle of the Shanghai battlefield, completely surrounded by the Japanese army. It’s October 26, 1937 and the Japanese Imperial Army has overpowered Chinese military forces during the Battle of Shanghai, a three-month engagement that has reduced parts of the city to rubble and demoralized a country. With China’s National … Read more
Many years ago Mr. Six was a notorious gangster. That was back when there was still such a thing as honour among thieves, when criminals earned respect and maintained principles. These days Mr. Six is all but forgotten, a living relic residing in a narrow alley. One day Six’s son, Xiaobo, is abducted by some spoiled punks after he scratches their precious Ferrari. Mr. Six realizes that he must do whatever it takes to get … Read more
A Chinese peasant is given the responsibility of protecting his village’s special dairy cow during a particularly harsh winter in 1940.
The violent death of an unpopular village resident is initially blamed on an infectious disease, but an investigation shows that everybody in the village had a reason to murder him.
The film follows a nurse, Ye Tong (Kong Lin), who also serves as the film’s narrator. One day, Ye Tong reunites with some childhood friends, including Peng Wei, a disillusioned and long-haired young man who leads a local rock band. Ye finds herself attracted to Peng Wei’s lifestyle, despite the admonitions of her police officer friend, Zheng Weidong. When Zheng is injured by a mutual friend, Ye finds herself increasingly attracted to the strait-laced Zheng, … Read more
An aging opera singer facing retirement and a divorce. An energetic young woman seeking to escape her mundane life with her boyfriend. A young teacher obsessed with a new and rebellious student from Shanghai. All of them have one thing in common: their lives are intertwined with Xi Shi’s, one of ancient China’s legendary beauties.
