​Screenwriter Chen Yu amazed by young filmmakers

Professor Chen Yu, a renowned director and screenwriter, told China.org.cn in an interview at the 14th Beijing International Film Festival that he is pleased to see China's young filmmakers' profound creativity, great professionalism and future potential. He also shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence (AI).

Renowned screenwriter Chen Yu poses for a photo during the 14th Beijing International Film Festival. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Chen, who is responsible for several blockbusters by Zhang Yimou such as "Under the Light" and "Full River Red," was a juror for the ReelFocus Project short film segment of the 14th Beijing International Film Festival. He said he was amazed to find that the submissions were fresh, going beyond his expectations of what young creators would produce. 

"This year, I saw works characterized by varied emotions, expansive visions and rich values," said Chen, also a professor at the School of Arts, Peking University. "These young creators possess perspectives that extend beyond their own worlds. I appreciate that. They differ from us at the same age. They are mature, demonstrating a robust energy to observe and portray the lives of a broader range of people, across various social strata, with diverse life experiences and interpretations of values. This is especially commendable."

As a veteran, Chen offered advice to young creators: "Keep on writing and keep on thinking." He emphasized, "you must master the fundamental principles of narrative art, which are grounded in the skills accumulated through professional screenwriting experience. Building on this foundation, you should persistently and deeply explore life, the world and the development of humanity as a whole — your thinking will determine the heights your work can reach."

In this era, as filmmaking technologies have evolved, the threshold to assume various roles within the industry have been lowered, making filmmaking much easier and more cost-effective. Chen recalled that when he was young, film creation required getting your hands on an expensive camera and assembling several teams to work together. Now, however, a smartphone and a laptop can support someone in basic film creation, which could be further improved with the help of AI.

"Now what really matters is the story you want to tell, how you think up a story that everyone wants to see and will resonate with them, and you've got to have a way, a skill to tell it," he said.

The screenwriter has been paying attention to the development of AI, believing it will impact all aspects of modern life, not just screenwriting. "And, based on my personal experience, 80% of the companies and institutions I know are dealing with and adapting to the new AI era and its waves," he said. 

Chen embraces and advocates for AI, which he said could greatly liberate productive forces and modernize the film industry. Even with such optimism towards AI's use in the film industry, he still maintains the view that AI is a tool and humans should always be the main creators. "We humans are the measure of all things, and everything we do ultimately serves and is judged by human values. Art is an expression of human life experiences. What we do is to excavate these life experiences and then convey them in various forms to others."