Our publisher Jimmy Jiang, a friend and frequent colleague of the late, great director has written the following tribute to Quiankuan Li.
I CRIED HEARTILY FOR THE LOSS OF SUCH A GOOD A GOOD MAN A ND MENTOR, WHO WAS LIKE AN ELDER BROTHER TO ME. I HOPE YOU WILL DO EVEN MORE BRILLIANT FILM WORK IN PARADISE!
I first got to know you many years ago through our mutual dear friend, Mr. Yang Buting. I already knew of your brilliant deeds from him and the media. You were a senior figure in the film industry and as a newcomer to that industry, I would look up at you in awe.
We met when you and your wonderful wife, Director Xiao Guiyun, came to the United States for the first time and as the two of you shared anecdotes from your careers with me, your magnanimity, kindness and wit shone through.
That day, we went to an antique flea market in Los Angeles to look for interesting pieces and you were constantly bargaining with street vendors with humor and jokes, just like a young old urchin. Immediately you felt like my naughty brother. We laughed all the way, forgetting our worries.
Each time when we met again over the years, our friendship deepened. I remember one the way to the NAB show in Las Vegas, we stopped on the way at the historic gold rush town of Calico where we imagined the fascinating and tragic history of the place and you kept drawing sketches of potential scenes saying one day you would like to make an epic movie about a Chinese gold digger in the western United States.
I also remember well how at the invitation of you and Brother Yang, I participated in the 2019 Houston International Film Festival and we discussed how Chinese films can go abroad and let the world understand China, our culture, past, present and future and I said the promotion of Chinese films requires the support and understanding of the state. You immediately stated that on returning to China you would propose to the relevant authority the specific issues of our international promotion of Chinese films. I’ll never forget how you gave me a great deal of recognition and appreciation for my own efforts in the international promotion of Chinese films.
I had long hoped to visit you and Director Xioa in Beijing after the pandemic but then on the morning of August 12, 2021, the bad news came. Brother Yang and I both cried down the phone as we discussed this unthinkable loss with each other.
A good person is gone but your talent remains in the world. I miss you so much.
Your little brother Jimmy Jiang, kowtow!
