Zhang Yimou’s Yi miao zhong, a personal homage to cinema set against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution, launched the Official Selection at the 69th San Sebastian Festival yesterday. Although it’s difficult to believe, this is the first time that the great Chinese director will be competing for the Golden Shell, although several of his earlier films have been screened at the festival and in 1997 he chaired the Official Jury here. He was originally going to link up for an online interview to discuss the film with the media as his work at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics prevented him from travelling. Unfortunately, problems with his throat meant that his online press conference had to be cancelled.