Chinese film director hosts class

Lu Chuan is regarded as one of China's most talented directors

One of China's top movie directors is staging a master class for film and media students in Ceredigion later.

Lu Chuan will speak at Lampeter's Confucius Institute before attending a screening of his new film, City of Life and Death, in Aberystwyth.

The event is part of a Wales-wide movie festival, organised by the institute, to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

There have been some 12 films shown around Wales.

The China Classic Film Festival has been organised by the Confucius Institute in Lampeter.

It opened in Cardiff on 1 October and it will close at the city's Chapter Arts Centre with another screening of Lu's latest film on Saturday.

Most talented

The City of Life and Death chronicles a massacre by Japanese soldiers in the Chinese city of Nanjing in 1937 and 1938.

It recently won an award at the San Sebastian Film Festival, and Lu, its director, is regarded as one of the most talented in China.

Neil McFarlane, who has helped organise the festival, said he was delighted Lu was taking part in it.

"We're expecting students from Lampeter, Aberystwyth, Carmarthen and Swansea at the master class," said Mr McFarlane.

"This brings to an end a month-long of events to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

"I understand Lu Chuan will give a presentation to students at the master class and talk about his films. He will then take questions.

"We think it's a bit of a coup to attract someone of Lu Chuan's stature to this event. We called up his film company and he agreed to help us and we're delighted."

'Colourful characters'

A number of films reflecting Chinese culture have been shown around Wales in places like Swansea, Cardiff, Haverfordwest, Colwyn Bay and Cardigan.

The Confucius Institute said the films had been carefully selected for their "strong and engaging stories and colourful characters" in order to appeal to as many people as possible.

The Confucius Institute, named after the famous Chinese philosopher, is based at Lampeter University.

It is one of a number of similar institutes around the world and opened in 2007.

It aims to promote the Chinese culture and language, as well as strengthening business links with Wales.