(Original Article Published in Chinese)
The China Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is one of the oldest and most prestigious film exchange platforms in Asia, attracting film festival professionals and enthusiasts from around the world to witness the diversity of Chinese-language cinema and to discover fresh talent in the Asian film industry. This year, the festival's Firebird Award comprises four competitive sections: "New Talent Cinema (Chinese)," "New Talent Cinema (International)," "Documentary Competition," and "International Short Film Competition." A total of 42 entries have been received, and the final 12 awards will be announced on the night of the awards ceremony on April 9th.
On this occasion, Malcolm Clarke, an Oscar and Emmy Award-winning director and producer, will serve as one of the jurors for the "Documentary Competition" section. He will join German documentary director Uli Gaulke and Chinese contemporary artist and director Qiu Jiongjiong to evaluate the entries based on their professional acumen and extensive experience in film and television, examining the innovation, integrity, and expressiveness of the documentaries from multiple perspectives. Together, they will select two documentaries that are both powerful and profound, presenting audiences with a more authentic and impactful cinematic experience.
With over 40 years of experience in documentary and feature film creation, Malcolm Clarke has been involved in film production in nearly 80 countries and has directed numerous incisive documentaries. His works such as "You Don't Have to Die," "Prisoner of Paradise," "The Lady in Number 6," and "Heart of A Tiger" have earned him four Oscar nominations, two wins, and sixteen Emmy Awards, among other honours, gaining widespread recognition within the industry.
Since 2015, Clarke has shifted the focus of his work and life to China, condensing his observations from recent years into his "Chinese Story Quartet." For Clarke, the changes in China represent "the biggest and most enduring news story of the 21st century." He has turned his lens towards ordinary Chinese people in the context of significant times, portraying a China rich in human interest. His documentary "Better Angels" conveys the "civil epic" amidst the rivalry of great powers, while his series "A Long-Cherished Dream," inspired by the stories of ordinary people, reflects the touching narratives of an era and the immense changes in Chinese society over the past few decades. In addition to documentary work, Clarke has also applied his experience as a "script doctor" in Hollywood to the creation of feature films. The screenplays "Love in Beichuan" (working title) and "Drive Like A Girl" (working title), inspired by characters from "A Long-Cherished Dream," are currently in development.
Clarke's accumulated experience in creation has also provided valuable insights for his role as a juror at various film festivals. Previously, he was invited to serve as a juror for the Tiantan Award at the 2022 Beijing International Film Festival and was a guest speaker at the Film Masterclass event; he was a final judge for the 2019 HiShorts! Xiamen Short Film Week competition section; a judge for the 2016 Guangzhou International Documentary Festival; and the chair of the Documentary Unit jury at the 2015 Shanghai Film Festival. From diverse perspectives, he has offered in-depth readings of the nominated works, sharing the common vision and goal of using documentary to build a bridge between China and the West.
Film is a force that heals the soul and ignites hope. In the future, Clarke will continue to be rooted in China, producing high-quality content while continuing to explore the charm of local stories and presenting an authentic image of China to the world.