Director Bi Gan Celebrated with Special Award for 'Resurrection' at the 78th Cannes Film Festival
Bi Gan's film marks a significant accomplishment for Chinese cinema, garnering international recognition at Cannes.
Director Bi Gan received the Special Award (Prix Special) for his feature film "Resurrection" during the closing ceremony of the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival held on May 24, 2025. This accolade is particularly notable as it marks the first award for a Chinese film in the main competition at Cannes in a decade.
The announcement of the award sparked celebratory responses across China, highlighting the continued global impact of Chinese cinema.
"Resurrection," which stars prominent actors Jackson Yee and Shu Qi, explores a narrative set in a future where humans have lost the ability to dream.
The film, which runs for two hours and forty minutes, begins with a silent film aesthetic and emphasizes a visual storytelling style that has been described as both epic and sensory.
The film festival's organizers praised "Resurrection" for showcasing Bi Gan's evolving creativity while retaining the unique poetic qualities that characterize his work.
Among approximately 2,000 submissions, the film successfully made it to the final shortlist of over 20 films in the main competition, highlighting its distinctiveness in a field of visually and thematically diverse entries.
Li Sixue, an experienced film critic and researcher based in both Beijing and London, observed that Bi Gan's unique visual approach, featuring six chapters each with distinct themes, significantly contributed to the film's recognition.
She pointed out that amongst this year's main competition films, which predominantly addressed social realities, "Resurrection" stood out for its artistic and poetic expression.
Juliette Binoche, President of the Jury, noted that all jury members were unanimous in their decision to award this distinction to Bi Gan, referring to "Resurrection" as an "extraordinary creation" that evoked strong emotional responses.
Binoche emphasized the film's capacity to allow audiences to engage with dreams and subtexts that resonate on a personal level.
Li further highlighted that the film's poetic portrayal of dreams captured the jury's attention and elicited strong support.
The Special Award is seen as an encouragement for innovative creative expressions within the cinematic landscape.
In his acceptance speech, Bi Gan expressed gratitude toward the film festival, his cast, and the numerous contributors to the evolution of cinema.
He indicated plans to refine elements of the film, including its special effects, while considering feedback regarding performance elements—while maintaining awareness of the film's overall duration.
Li noted that Bi Gan's recognition could inspire fellow filmmakers in China to explore more creative and experimental trajectories in their storytelling.
Additionally, she remarked that the award signals a broader recognition of the imaginative potential within Chinese cinema.
Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, added that the accolades for both blockbuster and artistic films, such as "Resurrection," underscore the growing acknowledgment of China's evolving cinematic identity in the global film industry.
During the award ceremony, the festival also recognized Iranian director Jafar Panahi's film "A Simple Accident" with the prestigious Palme d'Or, Cannes' highest honor.
The announcement of the award sparked celebratory responses across China, highlighting the continued global impact of Chinese cinema.
"Resurrection," which stars prominent actors Jackson Yee and Shu Qi, explores a narrative set in a future where humans have lost the ability to dream.
The film, which runs for two hours and forty minutes, begins with a silent film aesthetic and emphasizes a visual storytelling style that has been described as both epic and sensory.
The film festival's organizers praised "Resurrection" for showcasing Bi Gan's evolving creativity while retaining the unique poetic qualities that characterize his work.
Among approximately 2,000 submissions, the film successfully made it to the final shortlist of over 20 films in the main competition, highlighting its distinctiveness in a field of visually and thematically diverse entries.
Li Sixue, an experienced film critic and researcher based in both Beijing and London, observed that Bi Gan's unique visual approach, featuring six chapters each with distinct themes, significantly contributed to the film's recognition.
She pointed out that amongst this year's main competition films, which predominantly addressed social realities, "Resurrection" stood out for its artistic and poetic expression.
Juliette Binoche, President of the Jury, noted that all jury members were unanimous in their decision to award this distinction to Bi Gan, referring to "Resurrection" as an "extraordinary creation" that evoked strong emotional responses.
Binoche emphasized the film's capacity to allow audiences to engage with dreams and subtexts that resonate on a personal level.
Li further highlighted that the film's poetic portrayal of dreams captured the jury's attention and elicited strong support.
The Special Award is seen as an encouragement for innovative creative expressions within the cinematic landscape.
In his acceptance speech, Bi Gan expressed gratitude toward the film festival, his cast, and the numerous contributors to the evolution of cinema.
He indicated plans to refine elements of the film, including its special effects, while considering feedback regarding performance elements—while maintaining awareness of the film's overall duration.
Li noted that Bi Gan's recognition could inspire fellow filmmakers in China to explore more creative and experimental trajectories in their storytelling.
Additionally, she remarked that the award signals a broader recognition of the imaginative potential within Chinese cinema.
Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, added that the accolades for both blockbuster and artistic films, such as "Resurrection," underscore the growing acknowledgment of China's evolving cinematic identity in the global film industry.
During the award ceremony, the festival also recognized Iranian director Jafar Panahi's film "A Simple Accident" with the prestigious Palme d'Or, Cannes' highest honor.
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