Peter Chan Ho-sun’s Epic Film “She’s Got No Name” Overcomes Decade-Long Journey to Screen
Peter Chan Ho-sun’s “She’s Got No Name” has finally premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival, marking the end of a decade-long journey from page to screen. The film, based on a real 1945 murder case, underwent multiple format changes, extensive re-editing, and unprecedented collaboration with Shanghai’s municipal government. With a star-studded cast, including Zhang Ziyi, Wang Chuanjun, and Jackson Yee, the film tells the story of a wife charged with the bloody dismemberment of her husband during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai.
The epic film “She’s Got No Name” directed by Peter Chan Ho-sun has been a labor of love for the acclaimed director, who received the complete screenplay in 2015. The script, written by Shi Ling, Jiang Feng, Shang Yang, and Pan Yi-ran, captivated Chan with its mysterious and charming storytelling, spanning nearly six decades of Chinese history. The film centers on Zhan-Zhou, a wife charged with the murder of her husband, and her subsequent journey through the court of public opinion, forcing her towards a fate intertwined with that of her own country.
The Journey to the Big Screen
The project began in 2015, with Chan immediately falling in love with the script. However, the original screenplay presented a fundamental challenge: it would have resulted in a three-and-a-half-hour film. Chan shelved the project and made two sports films, “Li Na: My Life” and “Leap,” before COVID-19 brought everything to a halt. When the Chinese film market heated up in 2022 and 2023, investors pushed for a return to theatrical release, prompting Chan to revisit the project.
Format Changes and Re-Editing
Initially, Chan was tempted by the two-movie approach, but his team dissuaded him. Time pressure from a potential Cannes invitation forced a decision, and the team began production while attempting to trim the material to under three hours. The editing process proved as complex as the pre-production, with the first assembly being over four hours. Despite extensive cuts, they struggled to meet commercial requirements, and multiple attempts to create viable two-hour versions failed.
Key Highlights of the Film
* The film is based on one of China’s most famous unsolved murder cases
* The cast includes Zhang Ziyi, Wang Chuanjun, Jackson Yee, Zhao Liying, Lei Jiayin, Yang Mi, Da Peng, Li Xian, Fan Wei, Sha Yi, and Zhang Zifeng
* The film spans nearly six decades of Chinese history, from the Japanese occupation of Shanghai to the People’s Republic
* The story follows the case from 1945 to 1993, although the accused murderer lived until 2006
Unprecedented Collaboration with Shanghai Government
The Shanghai government’s intervention proved crucial in the film’s release. Having supported the production by helping locate filming sites, officials contacted Chan directly when the release stalled. The government helped negotiate an unprecedented format change with film authorities, converting a one-film permit to two permits. The release strategy is equally unprecedented, with almost 500 shows in three days across Shanghai and surrounding areas post the festival opening and a wider release across China.
Contemporary Relevance and Women’s Stories
Chan sees contemporary relevance in the 1940s story, particularly regarding public opinion’s influence on trials. The timing coincides with increased focus on women’s stories in Chinese cinema, though Chan notes his female-driven narratives predate current trends. As he reflects on the project, Chan says, “I kept saying, when we’re making this film, everything went on so smoothly. It’s movie God. It’s like he decides what we make.”
Quotes from Peter Chan Ho-sun
* “It’s one of those scripts that you can’t just put down. I mean, it’s just, you pick up the script and you read it in one go, and you just fall in love with it.”
* “I couldn’t think of anyone else in my mind when I was reading, I was visualizing it, and it was Zhang Ziyi.”
* “I think there should be a little bit of a break between one and two, because I don’t want people to see it as like, oh, the movie’s not finished.”
Conclusion:
Peter Chan Ho-sun’s “She’s Got No Name” is a testament to the power of perseverance and collaboration in filmmaking. After a decade-long journey, the film has finally premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival, marking a new chapter in Chinese cinema. With its star-studded cast, epic storyline, and contemporary relevance, the film is set to captivate audiences worldwide.
Keywords:
* Peter Chan Ho-sun
* She’s Got No Name
* Shanghai International Film Festival
* Chinese cinema
* Women’s stories
* Public opinion
* Trials
* Film production
* Collaboration
* Perseverance
Hashtags:
#PeterChanHoSun
#ShesGotNoName
#ShanghaiInternationalFilmFestival
#ChineseCinema
#WomensStories
#PublicOpinion
#Trials
#FilmProduction
#Collaboration
#Perseverance
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