Star Plan Join Shortlisted for the main competition unit of the 82nd Venice Film Festival

July 24 movie news: Star Plan Join's directorial debut "Star Plan Join" is shortlisted for the main competition unit of the 82nd Venice Film Festival

On July 24, 2025, the 82nd Venice Film Festival announced the list of shortlisted for the main competition unit. Star Plan Join's first feature film "Star Plan Join" (The Sleepwalker) is on the list, becoming the only Chinese-language film shortlisted this year, and the third Chinese female director to enter the Venice main competition after Ann Hui and Zhang Yimou.

1. Star Plan Join movie key information

Director: Star Plan Join (first directorial work)

Starring: Zhou Xun, Zhang Zhen, new generation actor Huang Miyi

Genre: Surrealist female theme

Plot summary: It tells the story of a middle-aged woman who talks with her teenage self through dreams after the breakdown of her marriage and reconstructs her identity.

Behind the scenes team:

Screenwriter: Hong Kong Film Award winner Chan Wing Sun (Uncle Against the Current)

Photographer: Christopher Doyle (Wong Kar-wai's photographer)

Music: The last film music completed by Ryu Sakamoto before his death

2. The significance of Star Plan Join Venice Film Festival

Historic breakthrough: Star Plan Join became the first Chinese actress to be shortlisted for the main competition of Venice as an actor-turned-director.

The outpost for Chinese-language films to compete for the Oscars: Venice is often regarded as an Oscar weathervane (such as "Lust, Caution" and "Spring in a Small Town" have gone international through this).

Competitors: The shortlisted films at the same time include Paolo Sorrentino's new work "Hand of God 2" and Hirokazu Koreeda's "Memories of Nobody".

3. Star Plan Join's director transformation

Preparation for 4 years: Star Plan Join once revealed that in order to learn directing techniques, he privately followed the crew of Hou Hsiao-hsien and Jia Zhangke for internships.

Style influence: The film was evaluated by foreign media as "a fusion of Wong Kar-wai's visual poetry and Tsai Mingliang's lonely narrative".

Actor response: Zhou Xun said in an interview that "Star Plan Join's capture of female psychology is shocking."

4. Star Plan Join Chinese film industry reaction

✅ Industry support:

Jia Zhangke posted: "Chinese films need more perspectives from female directors."

Ang Lee said through his assistant: "I look forward to seeing the unique expression of actors transforming into directors."

⚠ Controversy:

Some netizens questioned "whether the star crossover director is professional enough", but most film critics believe that "being shortlisted for Venice has proved its strength."

5. Star Plan Join follow-up trends

World premiere: held at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, 2025.

Star Plan Join distribution plan:

Star Plan Join art theaters: France's MK2 has purchased the European distribution rights

Streaming media: Apple TV+ won the North American streaming rights for $8 million

Oscar layout: If it wins the Venice award, the producer will apply for the 2026 Oscar for Best International Film.

Summary

Star Plan Join has completed a gorgeous transformation from an international movie star to a director with "Star Plan Join". Her work has been recognized by top film festivals for its female consciousness and aesthetic exploration. This film not only fills the gap of female directors in Chinese art films, but may also become a dark horse in the 2025 global awards season.