Award-winning film exhibited in South Korea

Off the Stage, which won the Best Actress honor at the 36th Golden Rooster Awards, is planned to be released on the International Women's Day this year, according to the movie's director Qiao Liang.

Adapted from writer Ai Wei's novel An Everlasting Life, the film portrays the journey of a former renowned Yueju Opera actress who, in her youth, neglects her children in her relentless pursuit of a career. But in old age, while battling a serious illness, she strives to rebuild the bond with her three children, while a long-buried family secret slowly emerges.

Qiao, also a professor at the Beijing Film Academy, recently held a film exhibition exclusively screening his two directorial works, Off the Stage and Crested Ibis, in Seoul on Dec 29 and 30.

A winner of the Golden George award at the 39th Moscow International Film Festival in 2017, Crested Ibis tells the story of a Beijing journalist who goes back to his hometown in Shaanxi province to cover the issue of air pollution. However, the protagonist unexpectedly comes across an endangered crested ibis, which sparks the interests of various individuals.

Qiao was invited to hold the exhibition by Pock Rey Cho, a veteran industry insider who has been dedicated to promoting cinematic exchanges between China and South Korea. She was attracted by Qiao's works while working as the movie selector for the "Chinese Film Special" section at the 15th Gwangju International Film Festival in 2015.

Speaking about the Seoul tour, which marks his first overseas trip since the pandemic, Qiao said it has provided him with an opportunity to gain a renewed understanding of foreign audiences' interest in Chinese films.

Qiao said that as Asian countries, China and South Korea share similar interests among their audiences in stories that explore family relationships and social issues. He recalled that he also feels surprised that some South Korean audiences are familiar with traditional Chinese culture, such as Yueju Opera, which is featured in Off the Stage.