Tiantan Award contender 'Trapped' premieres in Beijing

Cast and crew of "Trapped" pose for a photo at the film's premiere during the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, April 19, 2025. [Photo courtesy of BJIFF Organizing Committee]

Action thriller "Trapped" premiered in Beijing on Saturday, emerging as a strong contender for the Tiantan Award at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival.

The film marks the directorial debut of Zhang Qi. An award-winning editor of such outstanding Chinese films as Jiang Wen's "Hidden Man" (2018), Feng Xiaogang's "Youth" (2017) and Liu Xunzimo's "Be Somebody" (2021), he brings extensive experience to his first feature.

"Trapped" delivers a unique, stylized thriller set in an extreme environment - a remote border town facing an approaching sandstorm in 1995, on the eve of China's implementation of its comprehensive firearms prohibition policy. When 44 heavily armed bandits launch a sudden raid, the town plunges into desperation with its lack of fuel and inability to communicate with the outside world. Only three police officers with a single gun stand against the deranged bandit leader and his faction-ridden gang. Audiences were kept on the edge of their seats at the premiere as the story unfolded.

The film stars Bai Ke, Xin Baiqing and Lang Yueting, each delivering unforgettable performances. Xin, who won best actor at the 13th Beijing International Film Festival in 2023 for "The Shadowless Tower," notably challenged himself by playing an unpredictable violent villain - a stark departure from his previous peaceful, positive roles.

"I never expected to be cast for this role," Xin said. "I heard director Zhang Qi is quite eccentric. I figured maybe only someone unconventional would have such bizarre ideas to cast me as a bandit leader. When I first read the script, I was really curious about what kind of director would approach me for this role - I had to meet him immediately."

They met for several hours as Zhang shared his entire vision, down to the smallest details including character design, Xin recalled. "That's when I realized - this man has a lot of ideas. I must work with him," he said.

"I'm deeply drawn to stories about people trapped in adversity," the director explained. "Whether through these works or others, we see how extreme circumstances can spark every type of human drama. It's in such crucibles that the depths of human nature erupt most powerfully. That's why this character fascinated me, and why I chose to tell this story."

Veteran producer Bill Kong, known for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," produced the film and shared his experience working with Zhang, also commenting on the director's "eccentricity."

"So, I felt that if he made a feature film, it would be very bizarre and unusual - that's why I urged him to do it," Kong said. "The final result impressed and thrilled me. This film truly is really beyond my imagination."

"Trapped," set for nationwide release on May 1 for the Labor Day holiday, is one of 15 shortlisted films, including three Chinese entries, vying for 10 categories at this year's Tiantan Awards. The awards will be presented at the festival's closing ceremony and gala on April 26.