China’s Xin Zhilei has won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival, becoming the third Chinese woman to do so.
The 39-year-old actress received the Golden Lion trophy last Saturday for her performance in The Sun Rises on Us All, directed by Cai Shangjun. In the film, Xin portrays a fashion retail owner navigating a complex relationship with her former lover, who she reunites with after seven years.
During her acceptance speech, Xin expressed her disbelief and pride, stating, “I am proud of myself. I am also proud to be a Chinese actress standing once again on the stage of the Venice Film Festival.”
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Xin, a graduate of Beijing’s Central Academy of Drama, first gained international recognition for her role in the Chinese film Crosscurrent (2016).
She has since received numerous accolades, including the Best Leading Performance award at the Shanghai Magnolia Stage Performance Awards last year for her one-woman play, Prima Facie.
The last Chinese actress to win the Venice accolade was Deanie Ip in 2011, following Gong Li, who was the first Chinese actress to win the prize in 1992.
