Xu Jinglei

Xu Jinglei is a Chinese actress and film director whose work includes the films I Love You and Letter from an Unknown Woman.

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I Love You: A Chinese romantic comedy-drama directed by Xu Jinglei. This early feature established her as a director as well as an actress.
Zhou Xun: A Chinese actress known for roles in film and television. Zhou Xun and Xu Jinglei are prominent actresses of their generation.
Chinese cinema: The film industries and traditions of mainland China and Chinese-language filmmaking. Xu Jinglei’s films belong to the rapidly changing mainland industry.
Women in Chinese cinema: The history and work of women as filmmakers, performers, and producers in Chinese-language cinema. Her movement between acting and directing places her within this history.
Letter from an Unknown Woman: A Chinese film directed by Xu Jinglei, adapted from Stefan Zweig’s novella. Its literary adaptation brought her directing to an international story.
Zhang Ziyi: A Chinese actress known for work in Chinese and international films. Her career offers a nearby point of comparison among contemporary Chinese actresses.
Sixth Generation: A group of Chinese filmmakers who emerged in the 1990s, often depicting contemporary urban life. Her directing career developed alongside this generation’s shift toward modern social settings.
Chinese celebrity culture: The media systems and public practices through which Chinese celebrities gain visibility and influence. Her public profile extends beyond film into publishing and digital media.
Dreams May Come: A Chinese romantic drama directed by Xu Jinglei and released in 2012. This later feature extends her work as a director of contemporary romance.
Peter Chan: A Hong Kong film director and producer whose films include Comrades: Almost a Love Story. Chan directed The Warlords, in which Xu Jinglei acted.