The release of filmmaker Jia Zhangke's Hometown Trilogy, a trio of books based on three films that the director made about his hometown - Xiao Wu (1997), Platform (2000) and Unknown Pleasures (2002) - took place during a launch ceremony Sunday at the Sanlian Bookstore in Beijing.

The trio of books, consisting of plays, the director's written notes, several film reviews and previously unknown incidents that occurred during production, unveil the director's experience while shooting the films that are widely regarded as his representative works.

"I'm quite interested in writing plays myself. For me, the identity as a playwright is as equally important as the director in these films," Jia said at the book launch, explaining that one of his impulses to publish was his deep feelings toward words and text.

One of China's most influential contemporary directors, Jia Zhangke's masterful hometown trio of films highlights the plight of individuals struggling to live in a radically transforming China in the 1990s. Jia focuses on ordinary people, with his hometown of Fenyang, a small town in Shanxi Province, as the background.

Through the subtle changes of popular culture such as fashion, dance, TV and pop tunes, Jia skillfully reflects his own interpretations toward the fast-changing Chinese society.

"To me, these books are very important, not only giving me a chance to look back to the days I spent in my early career as a director, but also encouraging me a lot in making better films in the future," Jia said.