Peter Chan Ho-sun’s She’s Got No Name opened this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival after a decade of development and numerous changes.
The project began in 2015 when Chan received a completed screenplay based on a real 1945 murder case spanning nearly 60 years of Chinese history. Unlike his usual process, Chan was handed the full script, which immediately captivated him.
The film stars Zhang Ziyi as Zhan-Zhou, a woman accused of killing her husband during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai. The story follows her life through China’s turbulent history, ending in 1993. Zhan-Zhou outlived many who sought to imprison her.
Chan knew Zhang Ziyi was perfect for the role early on, and she quickly agreed to join. However, the original script would have made a three-and-a-half-hour film, too long and costly to produce. Chan paused the project, returning to it during the COVID-19 pandemic with plans for a streaming series.
As the Chinese film market recovered, investors pushed for a theatrical release, suggesting two movies. Chan was hesitant but eventually split the film into two parts with government support. The editing process was challenging, with early cuts exceeding four hours.
A key filming location, Soy Sauce Alley in Shanghai, held personal meaning for Chan. It connected him to his late father’s lifelong dream of Shanghai’s historic neighborhoods.
The film’s release includes nearly 500 screenings in Shanghai and surrounding areas, with wider distribution planned. Part Two’s release will depend on the first film’s performance.
Chan sees relevance in the story’s themes of public opinion influencing justice and notes that strong female leads have long been central to his work.
Now focusing on She’s Got No Name, Chan reflects on the journey: “Everything went so smoothly. It’s like movie God decided what we make.”
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