At the 20th Changchun Film Festival in the Chinese mainland, director Fang Li opened up about his journey crafting cross-national histories on screen. His films The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru and the upcoming Mukden tackle complex, multi-country narratives with authenticity and respect.
- Deep archival research across nations
- Collaboration with historians and cultural consultants
- Iterative screenings with diverse focus groups
“My goal,” says Fang Li, “is to weave each culture’s voice into a single, honest narrative.”
He explains that diligent research, local partnerships and open dialogue are at the heart of his process. For The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, he combined survivor interviews from Japan, the United Kingdom and the Chinese mainland, while for Mukden, he worked closely with scholars from Korea, Russia and China to capture the era’s tensions and hopes.
Fang Li’s approach reflects a wider trend: audiences worldwide are seeking stories that bridge cultures. As he moves forward, he invites viewers to see film as a powerful tool for understanding our shared past.
Reference(s):
Chinese director Fang Li on crafting cross-national histories
cgtn.com
