Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman at the red carpet show of the ongoing Beijing International Film Festival. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Among the titles where you could have an after-release conversation with the director, was Portman's A Tale of Love and Darkness, her directorial debut.

The movie is based on Israeli writer Amos Oz, and usually such biopics centering on lesser-known figures typically don't find favor with local fans. But when online ticket sales began on March 28, the 621 seats on offer were immediately sold.

"I have been interested in directing since I started work－over 25 years ago," Portman told reporters before the opening ceremony.

The actress, with dual American and Israeli citizenship, first gained attention in China for her role in the 1994 thriller Leon and gained an even bigger Chinese fan base for her Oscar-winning role in Black Swan in 2011.

Speaking of Chinese filmmakers and her plans, Portman points to Zhang Yimou as an example to show how Chinese directors have gained recognition in the United States.