On October 11, at the inaugural China Radio and Television Quality Creation Conference, director Li Lu delivered a powerful message: “We must not let certain genres become synonymous with low quality, nor can we allow bad work to drive out the good.” With 35 years of deep involvement in the film and television industry, Li identifies as a seasoned veteran on the front lines of production.

Li has an impressive resume, having worked as a director, producer, production manager at a film studio, and director of a provincial TV drama production center. He has also managed various film and television enterprises and invested in numerous TV series. His acclaimed works, including “The Happiness of the Boss,” “Taking Bus No. 88 Home,” “In the Name of the People,” and “The Inspection Team,” have garnered both widespread market recognition and numerous industry awards.

Recently, his work “In the World” swept the 34th Feitian Awards, earning him the Outstanding Director award. Alongside previous accolades such as the Golden Eagle and Bai Yu Lan awards, Li achieved a “Grand Slam” with this one series. When discussing his creative motivations, he posed several straightforward questions: “Who is the audience? What theme am I expressing? How does it connect to the present? Why am I creating this work? How does it differ from my previous projects?”

Li emphasized that high-quality creation has no formula or shortcuts. Each new project is a unique journey that requires passion, responsibility, and determination. He believes a director must be multi-faceted—serving as an interpreter of the script’s meaning, a mirror for the actors, and an organizer of the creative team.

“In the past twelve years, I’ve directed only five projects; after ‘In the World,’ I haven’t taken on anything for three years,” Li revealed. He believes that creators must endure solitude and allow time for reflection and knowledge renewal to consistently produce quality work.

“As creators, we must always maintain sharp insight, remain lifelong learners, engage deeply with the vibrant realities of life, express ourselves sincerely, and cultivate a calm composure. We should always approach our creations with respect and awe, allowing audiences to feel that reverence within the work,” he remarked.

Li also stressed that artistic creation should prioritize quality, balancing thoughtfulness and artistry, while ensuring good work flourishes instead of being overshadowed by the mediocre. “Every genre should produce captivating works that convey truth, goodness, and beauty, rather than ephemeral ‘quick-consumption dramas.’ Striving for both ‘interesting’ and ‘meaningful’ should be the cultural consciousness of every creator,” he stated.

In recent years, numerous projects that are both engaging and significant have captivated audiences. According to the 2023-2024 broadcast television viewing data report, “When the Mountain Flowers Bloom” ranked first in viewership, reach, and loyalty among contemporary hits. Other shows like “The Three-Body Problem” and “Welcome to Mai Le Village” have attracted vast audiences globally, while “My Altay” saw a remarkable 70% increase in tourist visits to the Altay region following its broadcast, exemplifying a successful synergy of literature, film, and tourism.

In a post-conference interview, Li expressed his admiration for several outstanding works highlighted at the event, including “Blossoms” and “When the Mountain Flowers Bloom.” He also noted the emergence of young actors and has been revisiting the performances of a new generation, including those born in the ’80s, ’90s, and even the 2000s, finding many promising talents.

When discussing his criteria for a “good actor,” he was candid: “Firstly, I believe that a good actor must possess transformational ability, with each role distinct and fitting to the character, rather than all sounding the same. Secondly, actors need a rich cultural foundation. Their interpretation of a character should reflect their own thoughts and insights, expressed through their performance.”