Fan Bingbing's return to the film industry follows a tumultuous period marked by a major tax scandal that saw her fined and nearly erased from the cinematic landscape.
**Fan Bingbing Makes a Surprising Comeback with New Film After Tax Controversy**
**Fan Bingbing Makes a Surprising Comeback with New Film After Tax Controversy**
After years away from the screen due to a scandal, China's former top actress stars in "Green Night," a film about women's empowerment.
Fan Bingbing, once a prominent figure in the world of cinema, is set to reenter the spotlight with the release of her film "Green Night" on Friday, following a six-year hiatus that stemmed from a high-profile tax scandal in 2018. At the height of her career, Fan faced severe repercussions after being fined almost $70 million for unpaid taxes—a penalty that not only derailed her career but also led to a public apology as she disappeared from the screen for several months.
Since the fallout, she has successfully shifted her focus to business, operating a beauty brand known as Fan Beauty. Yet, her recent venture into film brings her back to the industry with a new role in "Green Night," directed by Han Shuai and set in South Korea. Though the film has yet to see a release in mainland China, online audiences have reportedly found ways to access it through unofficial platforms.
In "Green Night," which premiered at the Berlin film festival, Fan portrays a Chinese woman collaborating with a younger South Korean woman to seek liberation from oppression. The actress spoke at the Busan International Film Festival about how her personal experiences have influenced the character she plays, emphasizing themes of female empowerment and solidarity. “Some of my experiences and some stories in recent years are integrated into the character I present in the movie,” she noted.
Reflecting on her years away from the screen, Fan described the break as an opportunity for deep self-reflection, stating that it allowed her to ground herself after her fall from grace. The tax scandal, rooted in allegations of tax evasion through dual contract systems—which many in China's entertainment industry historically employed to conceal earnings—led to broader scrutiny across the sector.
Despite her controversial past, Fan’s presence remains significant in the cultural narrative surrounding women's experiences in society. The strict media regulations in China mean that public attention on her, and the film itself, could be limited. However, fan interest appears substantial, with online platforms showing significant viewership of "Green Night."
Journalists Jin Yu Young and Claire Fu, reporting from South Korea and China respectively, highlight that Fan Bingbing's return marks a notable evolution in her personal and professional journey within the context of ongoing media censorship and the complexities of the Chinese entertainment industry.
