Director aims lens at China's new generation

"I have a particular preference for long takes because it allows you to feel time in the film," Jia said. "Other Chinese directors ... have explored a lot in cinematography. And I feel that time has not been explored," he said. "I like to gaze at ordinary people. By gazing for a long time, you don't need to ask what they're doing, what they've been through, you can feel that time is sculpting this person," he added.

Jia's perspective and film style is reminiscent of Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien (侯孝賢), with his trademark long takes and concern about urban youth. For many Taiwanese film lovers, Unknown Pleasure is like seeing one of Hou's films with China in the background.

"It is true that the spirit of his films has inspired me a lot," Jia said. He said his favorite of Hou's film is All the Youthful Days (風櫃來的人). "I think it's because we are both interested in the basic things about human beings," he said. Taiwanese society went though an industrial change in the 1970s, which has been reflected in Hou's films. Now, as China undergoes rapid change, it seems to be Jia's turn to speak of the cruel reality underneath the prosperity.

Challenging the status quo always involves risk. None of Jia's films have been permitted to screen in China, although pirated VCDs of all of them are widely available. "I am waiting. Time will solve this problem," Jia said casually.

He shouldn't worry. With international credentials and a ticket to Cannes, Jia will find audiences in Japan, France, Korea and, of course, Taiwan.