The 2024 FánHuā Chinese Film Festival at Teatro della Compagnia

FánHuā, the film festival that shines a new light on Chinese culture through symbolism, art and cinema, will return to Florence from October 2 to 6. This year the festival will be held in cinema La Compagnia (Via Cavour 50/ r) and will showcase 15 films in total.
FánHuā means a variety of blooming flowers, and links to the wide ranging quality that Chinese cinematography offers. This is the festival’s fourth time in the city. Its aim is to bridge the space between Italian and Chinese culture by portraying stories that invite the public to get to know an authentic, lesser known China. In such a way, stereotypes and misconceptions are avoided and instead a more profound understanding can be fostered between the countries.
Gianni Zhang, President of the Association FánHuā and Zhong Art International, says the film festival aims to be “a far-reaching bridge between Florence and China, that everyone can cross.” September and October are important months in the city, with a range of events that deepen its cultural offerings, FánHuā being one of them.
The films will cover several pressing issues including feminism and environmentalism. The festival will open with ‘Snow Leopard’ – on October 2, at 9 pm – by Pema Tseden, a Tibetan award-winning director. It tells the story of a snow leopard that breaks into a pen of sheep and kills nine of them, and the father and son who consequently debate whether or not to kill the leopard. The film touches upon animal preservation and humans relationship with nature. Another highlight will be ‘Good Autumn, Mommy’ directed by Chen Shizhong, that has been described as a “strongly feminist drama.” It tells the story of a young mother who fights fervently against superstitions and stereotypes in the small village in southern China where she lives. It will be shown on October 4, at 9 pm. Director Zhong Ding adapts a traditional fairytale and transforms it into an exiting animation adventure in ‘Into the Mortal World’, which will be shown on October 5.
This year all films will be in the original language, with Italian subtitles. For its fourth edition, FánHuā’s symbol is the green dragon, which represents strength, luck and wellbeing.
Ticket prices are below:
Evening screening – € 7
€ 6 for under 30s and over 65s
€ 5 for COOP members, students of affiliated institutes, Florence International Antiques Biennial ticket holders, CESVOT members.
€ 10 for one day pass
€ 30 to attend the entire festival
€ 25 for students, under 30s and over 65s, COOP members, students of affiliated institutes, Florence International Antiques Bienniale ticket holders, CESVOT members.