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Filming the Margin of Society
Chengdu
through the lens of independent filmmaker Chenzhong
Regarded as the first independent filmmaker in Sichuan, Chen Zhong made
his debut movie "Love Poems" in his hometown, soon after receiving his UFA on
film from Temple University in the United States. The love story, set in
Chengdu, perfectly captures the lifestyle of urban poor in the margins of
Chinese society.
Chen Zhong usually gives people the first impression of a dynamic young man
with extraordinary confidence and his keen sense of humor. He goes to Cai Feng
Tang very often, a popular teahouse
rendezvous for local literati. And everyone there is fascinated with his
brilliant perceptions when discussing the movies of his favorite directors, Tsai
Mingliang, M. Antonioni and Abbas Kiorastami. Chen Zhong is the first filmmaker
in China to engage in research of Iranian movies, especially the films of Abbas
Kiorastami. Chen also talks about the magical film language and techniques used
in the classic American movie "The Graduate". At the end of one of his impromptu
seminars, Chen told his teahouse audience, "Everyone can make a movie if he
tries. The revolution of the movie industry driven by digital technologies makes
it absolutely possible-everybody can do it!"
 It is Chen Zhong and his amazing movie "Love Poems" that have
brought the concept of independent filmmaking to Sichuan. Chen took charge of
the entire filmmaking process-script writing, directing, recording and
editing-and completed the 200,000-yuan movie thanks to his skill and commitment.
For that, he deserves our applause.
"Love Poems" is a contemporary love story set in Chengdu.
The poet, a sound fetishist, falls in love with a beautiful girl who is a
nightclub singer. But he has no courage to express his feelings, so he turns to
his roommate, a male prostitute, to whom women are nothing but a source of
income. Forced by his roommate, the handsome boy seduces the innocent girl and
unexpectedly falls in love with her. Driven by powerful jealousy and fury over
his friend's betrayal, the poet exposes his true identity, leaving both the girl
and her lover heartbroken.
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