China's most wanted
Crime films depicting real people are a cinematic rarity in China although Beijing Blues, the latest release in the true-crime genre, could spark demand for more such films. The film has performed well at theaters across the country since its release on July 20.
The film is based on real-life detective Zhang Huiling, who at the age of 50 has been fighting street crime in the nation's capital for over 20 years. Unlike many crime films from other countries, events in this film are true and unexaggerated. The reason for its authenticity is that Beijing police selected the stories, and then chose director Gao Qunshu to bring the project to the big screen.
Gao's efforts on the film paid off as he went on to win Best Director at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival. He wanted to direct the film because he felt the subject of real crime was a reflection of today's society in China.
"Crimes nowadays are committed as a way of survival, more so than a profession. That's what I wanted to show on a deeper level," he told Metro Beijing.
Detective Zhang, who works on small cases, said the mission of detectives was to "do something practical for the masses."
"I haven't handled big cases, just common crimes on the streets of Beijing," he said.
Actor Zhang Lixian portrays the real-life detective, a middle-aged diabetic who drives a scooter to and from work.
"[Zhang Lixian's] performance and the whole film are very much like me and consistent with what actually happened, but not entirely. After all, Zhang Lixian is an intellectual and he tried his best to imitate me," the off-screen sleuth told Metro Beijing.
At one point in the film, Zhang is followed by a crew from Beijing Television who want to make a reality show about him on the job - something that actually happened in 2009. During this sequence, he announces that he's caught over 2,000 pickpockets.
The real detective Zhang said he catches approximately 100 to 200 thieves a year. He explained that criminals commit crimes for "different reasons."
"Most of them are just very lazy and don't want to work. They usually steal money to eat a meal or buy new clothes. China's social security system has become better rounded, so there are fewer people who steal just because they have a mother who is ill," he said.
Zhen Yi, a 25-year-old viewer of the film from Hebei Province, said Beijing Blues had redefined the domestic true crime genre. "Chinese directors are generally good at expressing emotions, but not so good at storytelling. Gao indeed expressed the wonderful stories clearly with balanced rhythm," he said.
Despite Zhang's newfound celebrity status, he maintains a humble demeanor and a deep respect for his co-workers. "One of my colleagues was suffering from kidney problems, and when we were making the film he played one of the policemen. I admired him because he never gave up the responsibilities of his job," he explained.
But police officers aren't the only people Zhang respects. "I actually admire UN peacekeepers the most. They are equipped with many practical skills to deal with sly criminals, and they also need to be brave and wise," he said. "They are excellent people in my heart. If I was younger, I'd try to become a peacekeeper."