Huang Yongyu showed his ‘relaxed’ side in a new docu-film by the Chinese artist’s close friend, Hong Kong director Yonfan
Hong Kong director and photographer Yonfan is finally getting the recognition he deserves, with mainland censors deeming his Crossing Years docu about the late artist fit for the public
Now in its eighth year, the Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival (PYIFF) has built a reputation for eclectic offerings.
This year marks Yonfan’s first showcase at PYIFF, where he presented Crossing Years, a home-video-style documentary featuring himself and acclaimed self-taught artist Huang Yongyu, in conversation on Lunar New Year’s Eve in 2012.
Huang, who died last year aged 98, was a towering figure in contemporary Chinese art, known for his work as a painter, sculptor and writer. Born in Hunan province in 1924, he lived in Hong Kong as a young man, hosting numerous exhibitions before returning to the mainland in 1952, to teach at Beijing’s Central Academy of Fine Arts.
The 90-minute documentary begins with Yonfan and his executive director, Lee Yat Fung, driving into Huang’s courtyard in Beijing. Once inside Huang’s home, the casual yet insightful conversation that gradually unfolds reveals how the two artists became lifelong friends.
