Frozen (1997 film)

Frozen Chinese pinyin Jd hnlng is a 1997 Chinese film directed by Wang Xiaoshuai. The film was originally shot in 1994, but was banned by Chinese authorities and had to be smuggled out of the country. Moreover, Wang was operating under a blacklisting from the Chinese Film Bureau that was imposed after his previous film, The Days, was screened internationally without government approval. As such, Wang was forced to use the pseudonym Wu Ming literally Anonymous while making this film.

Like Wangs first film, The Days, Frozen was cast primarily with friends of Wang Xiaoshuai. Unlike in his earlier film, the two leads of Frozen were professional actors who would become major figures in the sixth generation movement. Actor Jia Hongsheng was selected to play Qi Lei, a performance artist who decides to make his own death his final work. Jia would go on to star in other sixth generation films, notably with director Lou Ye in Weekend Lover 1994 and Suzhou River 2000. Wang selected Jia in part because he was unconventional looking and in Wangs words, Jia does not look like an actor. But because Jia was Wangs friend, he did not demand payment, thus allowing the film to operate on a smaller budget.The other lead, Shao Yun, Qi Leis girlfriend, was played by actress Ma Xiaoqing. Her casting was done in part to create parity with Jia. Wang wanted both leads to be professional actors. ........

Source: Wikipedia