Jia Zhangke's new coproduction with BRICS countries to be released this year

Jia Zhangke's second coproduction with the BRICS countries will be released later this year.

Jia is the producer of "Half The Sky." He has employed five well known female directors who each have created a segment for the movie, all of which focuses on female emotion and their values in their home and workplaces.

Jia spoke about the film at the ongoing Shanghai International Film Festival.

"These years, I, indeed, have watched a number of excellent movies shot by talented and capable female directors. However the entire film industry gives little concern and support for woman filmmakers. So I employ them to speak for themselves and tell their own stories with their subtle emotions and also via their perspective."

The five directors include Daniela Thomas from Brazil, Elizaveta Stishova from Russia, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari from India, Sara Blecher from South Africa and Chinese director Liu Yulin.

Liu named her short film Jiaozi, after the popular Chinese dumplings. She said she wanted her film to be filled with elements of Chinese culture.

Jia's first coproduction with the BRICS countries "Where Has Time Gone" was just released last October.