On October 30th, the film "Girl," written and directed by Shu Qi, held its premiere in Beijing. This film, which took over a decade to develop, is making its debut in mainland China after garnering attention and awards at international film festivals such as Venice, Toronto, and Busan. At the premiere, Shu Qi emotionally shared her creative journey, frankly stating that the film was "a journey of reconciliation with oneself." The film will be released in mainland China on November 1st.
"Girl" tells the story of Keelung Harbor in 1988, a time of smog and obscurity amidst the changing times. Lin Xiaoli (played by Bai Xiaoying) grows up in confusion until she meets Li Lili (played by Lin Pintong), who lives freely and without fear of judgment, and only then does she see the world in color for the first time. However, this yearning touches upon her mother Ajuan's (played by 9m88) past traumas. The girl and the woman, their fates intertwined, reflect each other like a mirror, revealing their mutual pain yet remaining powerless to change it…
Movie poster
During the post-screening Q&A, Shu Qi revealed that the inspiration for the film came from a conversation with director Hou Hsiao-hsien in 2011. "He suddenly said to me, 'Why don't you try directing?'" This encouraging remark became the impetus for her to begin writing, but the scriptwriting process stalled for a time. It wasn't until 2023, when Hou urged her again, that Shu Qi finally decided to retreat to Milan. The script, originally planned to be completed in 15 days, was ultimately completed in a burst of speed within 13 days. "Writing a script is incredibly difficult, but Hou's trust pushed me forward," Shu Qi remarked. "The film's current success feels like fulfilling a promise to my mentor."
Set in Keelung in 1988, the film focuses on the growth of a girl named Lin Xiaoli amidst domestic violence and societal changes. Shu Qi candidly admitted that the story incorporated her own childhood experiences: "When I was little, my father was an alcoholic, and I often hid in the closet, terrified by the sound of footsteps outside." She transformed this trauma into cinematic language, creating a somber atmosphere through long takes and sound design, while also reconciling with the past during filming. "Seeing the back of the mother, played by 9m88, doing housework, I suddenly understood the hardships my mother endured back then, and at that moment, I burst into tears."
Movie stills
To recreate the feel of the era, the production team paid meticulous attention to art direction details. Shu Qi cited examples such as the green refrigerator, Wang Jie's song "A Game, A Dream," and the variety show "Chain Cannon," all of which are collective memories of the late 1980s. "The red balloon is a tribute to Hou Hsiao-hsien's film 'The Red Balloon,' and the handmade bouquets are a microcosm of how mothers supplemented their household income during that era."
9m88, Shu Qi and Roy Chiu
When discussing her transition from actress to director, Shu Qi laughed and said, "Directors don't need makeup. On set, at the sound of 'Action,' I have to fully immerse myself in that world." She explained that she follows director Hou Hsiao-hsien's approach of guiding actors in a "natural" way, giving them maximum freedom. "Roy Chiu doesn't need any adjustments; he immediately blends into the role. But for younger actors, I have them play hopscotch and blow bubble gum to get a feel for the era."
"Girl" has already won the Best Director Award at the Busan International Film Festival and received an 8-minute standing ovation at its Venice premiere. When asked why she has been shedding tears so often lately, Shu Qi said that since the film was screened in Venice, "it seems that after every screening, or when I talk to fans, I shed tears. I don't know why, maybe my empathy is just too strong."
Shu Qi speaks at the Beijing premiere. Image from @東申未来
During the post-screening Q&A session, many of Shu Qi's fans volunteered to go on stage to share their thoughts on the film. One male audience member said that he had been a fan since he was a young man and had become a "middle-aged uncle." He added, "Every time you experience a 'successful rise and fall' in your creative process (these four words are taken from the movie 'If You Are the One,' where Liang Xiaoxiao and Qin Fen exchange words), we are all there, and we will always be there."
Upon hearing this, Shu Qi, who was standing nearby, almost doubled over with laughter. When she looked up again, her eyes were clearly red, and she couldn't help but wipe them with her hand: "I've been in the industry for over 30 years. If it weren't for Director Hou Hsiao-hsien asking me to direct, I would never have thought of becoming a director. Being able to complete my first directorial work and receive everyone's love is a way for me to fulfill my promise to Director Hou."
Shu Qi poses for photos with fans at the event. Image courtesy of @東申未来
