Lu Chuan on U.S.-China Tensions, New Projects ‘Puffer Fish Girl’ and ‘You Are My Daughter,’ Plus ‘Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Wildlife Park’ Doc (EXCLUSIVE)

by

Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan is experiencing the pressure of worsening U.S.-China relations on his current project, a transnational child custody drama titled “You Are My Daughter.” This movie is based on the actual case of Anna Mae He, a young Chinese girl whose lengthy seven-year custody dispute between her biological and white foster parents has become a subject of contention.

At first, that project seemed to run smoothly, but unexpectedly, there’s been a surge of disagreements between these two nations,” Lu Chuan explains to EbMaster during the Cannes Film Festival, where he was showcasing his wildlife documentary about the Tibetan Plateau. “Establishing connections and collaboration between the two film industries is crucial at this point, as the circumstances are quite challenging.

Renowned filmmaker Lu Chuan, known for movies such as “Mountain Patrol” (2004), “City of Life and Death” (2009), and “The Missing Gun” (2002), has finished writing the screenplay for “You Are My Daughter.” This story revolves around two Chinese students studying abroad in the U.S., who unexpectedly give birth and find themselves entangled in an eight-year legal dispute. The movie is adapted from the book “Go Home,” penned by Luo Qin, a woman who experienced the real-life custody battle herself.

Lu Chuan explains that a legal dispute is ongoing between a Chinese family and a local American family, both claiming custody of a baby. He believes this situation highlights a great deal of confusion between people from different countries. To bridge this gap, he suggests increased dialogue, as well as more cultural exchanges. According to him, films are an excellent medium for fostering mutual understanding.

Although I’ve encountered numerous obstacles along the way, I, Lu Chuan, remain steadfast in my dedication to “You Are My Daughter.” I’m actively searching for an accomplished English-language writer to collaborate with me on an international version of this heartfelt story. In fact, I’ve taken a unique approach by utilizing AI technology as a foundation. Specifically, I’ve used Grok and ChatGPT to draft the initial adaptation in English.

Instead of “Lu Chuan is working on ‘Puffer Fish Girl’, a crime drama which mirrors his character-focused style similar to ‘Mountain Patrol’, as shown by the title ‘You Are My Daughter'”, you could say:

“Lu Chuan is crafting a new crime drama titled ‘Puffer Fish Girl’. This production seems to be bringing him back to the character-centric storytelling that was evident in his previous work, such as ‘Mountain Patrol’, as suggested by the title ‘You Are My Daughter’.

He describes the project as neither a large science fiction nor an action film. Instead, it delves into understanding human nature and the dynamics of male-female relationships.

The creator behind the 2023 sci-fi movie “Bureau 749” is additionally developing a worldwide edition, aiming to give it a stronger emphasis on characters based on input received from foreign friends during private showcases. This revised version will cater to global audiences better.

Lu Chuan admits that sometimes it can be challenging for international viewers to grasp Chinese stories. He spent a considerable amount of time processing all his notes, believing most of them to be exceptional. As a result, he feels it’s crucial for him to refine the content to make it more accessible. The film is being marketed by All Rights Entertainment.

Lu Chuan is also responsible for directing the iQIYI series titled “A Life For a Life,” based on the novel of the same name by Shi Yifeng, with adaptations by Xiong Yuzhen. Set in 1992, the series follows two mechanical repairmen who are arrested on theft charges and find themselves under suspicion for a grisly murder case occurring at a machinery factory within Tiandu City. The narrative unfolds over a span of twenty years as the survivors strive to exonerate one suspect and ultimately reveal the true perpetrator.

At Cannes, Lu Chuan showcased his two-year passion project, “Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Wildlife Park,” which is a wildlife documentary focusing on scientists preserving animals within the Xining Wildlife Zoo situated on the Tibetan Plateau. This aligns with his commitment towards environmental conservation.

Moving forward, the director expresses a keen interest in venturing into different movie genres, with a focus on horror films and road movies. He draws inspiration from “Misery” and Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” mentioning that “Puffer Fish Girl” includes elements of horror.

Lu Chuan is additionally creating a screenplay for a road trip film involving a pair who journey to the female’s hometown for a wedding event, except that the woman has suffered memory loss. The psychological suspense storyline then centers on a physician attempting to aid her in regaining her past, ultimately unearthing unsettling truths.

Lu Chuan’s approach to filmmaking stems from an existential perspective, tracing back to his childhood apprehensions about mortality. In his own words, he acknowledges this fear as “the fear of death.” At around 13 or 14 years old, a late-night realization struck him – everyone dies. This terrifying revelation sparked in him an intense curiosity about the fundamental truths of life and death, which he believes has driven his pursuit of knowledge through the medium of films.

This philosophical perspective influences the projects that Lu Chuan takes on, as he chooses narratives that resonate deeply with him, such as “Bureau 749,” a story sparked by his son’s desire to escape the weight of academic stress.

Lu Chuan laments that as children mature, their dreams often get trimmed down, making them focus more on practicalities like finances, survival, and work. He yearns for a continued sense of freedom to dream and soar unrestrictedly.

Read More

2025-05-22 17:47