Hu Mei's unique movie vocabulary

The much anticipated biopic "Confucius", directed by Hu Mei, is about to be released during the Chinese Lunar New Year season for 2010. And recently, Hu revealed that she plans to spend the next two months finishing and promoting the picture. Let's take a closer look at the film and the inspirational career of its director, Hu Mei.

As part of China's 5th generation of directors, Hu Mei gains her reputation on the movie scene for her individual movie vocabulary, and a sensitive feminine style of story telling.

Hu Mei was born in Beijing in 1958. She joined the army in 1975 as a drama performer in military troupes. In 1982 she graduated from the directing department of the Beijing Film Academy, and now works there as a Class One film director.

It was Hu's 1984 movie "Army Nurse" that helped her gain notoriety. The film centers around the lives and loves of Chinese military women, the first ever on the subject matter since the Cultural Revolution. The movie was hailed by the China Film Association in 1985 as one of the top 10 pictures around the country.

Following on that success, Hu shot a number of films that deal with the tough subject matter of war. As a female director, Hu handles such topics with a nuanced artistic approach, incorporating her own experience and understanding of military life. She also made attempts in other film genres, such as the 1986 psychological drama "Away from the War", and the 1988 commercial film "To Hit Without a Gun". One year later she began working as an independent producer, supervising films such as "The Story of Fresh Soldiers", and "The Trail of Sisters".

Hu Mei also dabbles in the world of television. Her 1998 series "Yong Zheng Dynasty" crowned her as one of the top ten female directors in China. "Yong Zheng Dynasty" follows the love and hatred of Emperor Yong Zheng, and the unknown anecdotes and painstaking struggles of the imperial family of the Qing Dynasty. Hu Mei reveals that she wasn't confident in herself at the very beginning when she read the play, fearing that she could hardly master the spirit and soul of historical figures. It was Hu Mei's father who kept on encouraging her along the way, contributing his ideas and suggestions in shaping the roles. Whenever Hu Mei met with a problem, she came to her father for help and inspiration. The TV drama "Yong Zheng Dynasty" won big at the Flying Apsaras Awards and the Golden Eagle Awards in 1999.

Continuing her winning streak, Hu Mei challenged herself by directing another TV series dealing with imperial family issues-- "Emperor Han Wu the Great". The show was highly welcomed by both TV audiences and critics, winning a string of trophies including a second Flying Apsaras Award in 2006.

In August the same year, TV series "The Compound of the Qiaos" directed by Hu Mei, scored big at the Seoul International Drama Awards. Two years later Hu was chosen as one of the most influential directors since China's opening up.

Hu Mei is now busy with the big screen biopic "Confucius", with Hong Kong's Chou Yun-Fat playing the title role. The movie traces the transformation of Confucius from an ordinary book-keeper to a philosopher and a sage. It follows his long journey around small kingdoms in northern China preaching his beliefs, and his 72 disciples.

Director Hu Mei says it is indeed a tough job catering to the tastes of modern day audiences while chronicling the ups and downs of the ancient greatest-of-all-time philosopher. Hu adds she holds the utmost respect for the history, trying her best to depict historical figures the way they actually were.

In the face of critical concerns that films dealing with such subject matter can hardly march into the overseas market, Hu says she's confident of striking a perfect balance between culture and commercial interests.

Source: CCTV. com