, and it has proven to be a hit in China since its release in cinemas in December . However , capturing the Cultural Revolution remains one of Chen 's ambitions -- not only to explore the circumstances that colored the relationship with his father but an exploration of a crucial time in Chinese history . `` It 's not because I was hurt and so many people hurt that I want to do my revenge . It 's not like this . This is the lesson that the Chinese people must learn , no matter what , '' Chen told CNN . `` I hope that my generation of directors or writers could do something to tell people the truth , to tell people what really happened at that time ; why a young son of a film director , you know , could denounce his own father , like I did . I was still shocked , '' he said . Now 56 years old , Chen studied at the Beijing Film Academy , directing his first feature film `` Yellow Earth '' in 1984 . After the success of `` Farewell My Concubine , '' he eventually
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Director Chen Kaige 's films often examine the close ties of love , passion and friendship , but his own relationship with his artist and filmmaker father is one that has informed much of his life and colored his work . Chen Kaige captures the pains and passions of relationships on the silver screen . As a 14-year-old red guard during the Cultural Revolution , Chen denounced his father for creating subversive art . While his father forgave him , Chen has found it hard to truly forgive himself . `` I knew it was the wrong thing to do . If I did n't know , then I could 've forgiven myself , '' he told CNN . Chen has already touched upon such a significant moment in his personal life in his award-winning 1993 film , `` Farewell My Concubine . '' It brought him international-acclaim and a host of accolades , including Cannes Film Festival 's Palme D'or . Like `` Farewell My Concubine , '' Chen 's latest film , `` Forever Enthralled '' -LRB- `` Mei Lanfang '' in Mandarin -RRB- , once again delves into the world of Beijing opera