SEVEN movies have been selected for this year’s Cannes Film Festival in mid-May by the China Film Group.

One of the films, by actor-turned-director Jiang Wen, “The Sun Still Rises,” will compete as an independent representing Hong Kong’s Emperor Group. The other six, including “The Knot,” “Tokyo Trial” and “Love in the City,” will officially represent the mainland.

“The six officially recommended movies have produced good box-office revenues and have artistic value,” said a senior manager surnamed Zhou from China’s Film Promotion International, quoted by the Shanghai Youth Daily. Zhou said the films represent contemporary Chinese movies’ quality.

Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai’s first English language movie “My Blueberry Night” is expected to be the festival’s opening film.

The documentary “A Great Master Recaptured” about Beijing Opera master Mei Lanfang will also be screened, with Gong Li present as a guest.

Jiang’s latest movie has already received an official pass from China’s film authority to be screened in cinemas. The director is now busy on postproduction in France.

This year marks the Cannes Film Festival’s 60th anniversary and will kick off May 16. It is expected to boast an even greater star-studded lineup and number of competing films. (SD-Agencies)