New Zhang Yimou Opens Pusan Film Festival

The 15th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) opened last night (Thursday, October 7) in the South Korean seaside city with a screening of Zhang Yimou's Under the Hawthorn Tree. Zhang and cast members Zhou Dongyu and Dou Xiao flew to Pusan Wednesday evening, and Zhou was spied by the Beijinger's Steven Schwankert in the customs line upon arrival at Pusan.

The first-time actress said her next move was to test into the Beijing Film Academy, where her co-star Dou currently studies. She had no immediate plans to do another film.

"I've been to Seoul before, but not Pusan," she commented, obviously excited to be traveling to the festival, which is the largest in Asia.

Both Zhou Dongyu and Dou sat in economy during the flight from Beijing, while Zhang Yimou lounged in business class.

The director and his two stars walked the red carpet at the festival last night ahead of the screening. Zhang teaches a film master class tonight, and will remain in Pusan until Monday, when he returns to Beijing with his two leads.

Other Chinese films in the program this year include Feng Xiaogang’s Aftershock, Wang Bing’s controversial The Ditch, Jia Zhangke’s documentary I Wish I Knew, Taiwanese feature Au Revoir Taipei, and the Hong Kong film Love in a Puff.

PIFF continues until October 15.