Home » Feature » Art and Culture
Restored classics from the cradle of Chinese cinema to be screened
Print Edition
Many beautiful and important films were made in old Shanghai, the cradle of Chinese cinema, where creativity flowered and stars were born. Five restored classics will be screened, reports Xu Wei.
Five classic sound films from the Shanghai cradle of Chinese cinema will be screened for the first time in their restored version on the mainland.
The films from the late 1930s and 40s will be screened for a week starting next Friday at the recently opened Shanghai Film Museum.
All of the films, black and white productions, were made by celebrated directors.
The films are Fei Mu’s acclaimed “Confucius” (1940) — some say it’s better and bolder than the 2010 rendition — Bu Wancang’s “Diao Chan” (1938) and “The Soul of China” (1948), Fang Peilin’s “Orioles Banished from the Flowers” (1947) and “Song of a Songstress” (1948). Both “Orioles” and “Songstress” star famous actress and singer Zhou Xuan (1920-1957), known for her “golden voice” and tragic life.
The screening exhibition is titled “Confucius Returns to Shanghai.”
Many powerful and artistic films were made in Shanghai and the exhibition aims to increase appreciation of classic cinema and educate viewers about old Shanghai, according to Zhang Xi, an official of the Shanghai Film Museum, an organizer of the event.
The film “Confucius” was intended to inspire viewers during the “War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression” (1937-1945). At the time it was made, Shanghai was surrounded, existing like a virtual island. Shanghai films from the late 1930s and early 1940s are said to be from China’s “solitary island” period.
Fei (1906-1951), who was known as a “film poet,” tells a story of Confucius (551-479 BC) at a time of unrest when his students were dead and his family was broken. Although he was living alone, the sage did not give up hope.
“To save the country in wartime, we must first help the people stand upright,” Fei wrote in an essay about the film. During an unsettled time, Confucius spent more than 30 years traveling around the states to preach his philosophy of orderly relations and a government of “benevolence.”
This 70-year-old “Confucius” is generally compared very favorably to the 2010 “Confucius” starring Chow Yun-fat and directed by Hu Mei. Some critics consider it a stronger work of cinema, with a better script and cinematography.
Singled out for praise are Fei’s scenes of the philosopher’s inspirational talks with his students. Fei is bold in depicting Duke Ling of the Wei State, who had a fondness for young boys.
The film was a major success, but the original copy disappeared and was thought to have been lost during the war.
It was not until 2001 that it was acquired by chance by the Hong Kong Film Archive and later sent to Italy for digital restoration.
Staff from the Hong Kong Film Archive said it was miraculous that the original celluloid copy was not severely damaged or scratched despite long-term exposure.
Digital restoration involves many complicated processes, such as cleaning, digital scanning and enhancement, color and sound correction. Restoration eliminates the scratches, stains and flickering so that the film looks as much as possible like the original.
The restored “Confucius” was first screened in Hong Kong in 2009.
During the exhibition in Shanghai, talks will be given by famous singer Fei Mingyi, the daughter of director Fei, and by noted translator Jin Shanghua, the daughter of producer Jin Xinmin. They will tell stories about cinema and about Shanghai when it was China’s filmmaking capital. Two (“Confucius” and “Diao Chan”) of the five movies were made in Shanghai.
The film “Confucius” will also have a special screening at the Huangpu Theater, where it was first released. Screening details have not been released. English subtitle is availed.
The film museum will extend its hours to 9pm on August 2, 3 and 9.
Classic animated films will also be screened.
Date: August 9-18, 9am-5pm
Venue: Shanghai Film Museum, 595 Caoxi Rd N.
Tickets: 60 yuan
Tel: 6426-8666
Other classic films to be screened at the Shanghai Film Museum
‘Diao Chan’ (1938)
The lavish costume drama tells the story of patriotic concubine Diao Chan, one of China’s Four Beauties, who used her beauty and wiles to pit jealous rivals against each other in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). The story comes from a tale in the classic novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.” In the film Diao’s manipulations lead to the murder of a rebellious minister. Shooting began in Shanghai in 1937 but was suspended after many actors were forced to flee during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Shooting was resumed in 1938 in Hong Kong when director Bu Wancang reconvened the original cast.
‘The Soul of China’ (1948)
The historic war drama tells the story of Wen Tianxing (1236-1283), a scholar general of the late Song Dynasty (960-1279) who battled the invading forces of Kublai Khan and refused to yield. He was framed by his political rivals and imprisoned, writing “Songs of Righteousness” in prison. The emperor ordered his execution. Most of the renowned actors of the time took part.
‘Song of a Songstress’ (1948)
Fang Peilin’s last film, and also his best known, is about a cabaret singer Zhu Lan (Zhou Xuan) who resists the advances of an arrogant playboy because she is in love with an impoverished painter. She has a tragic past, however, and is drawn into the playboy’s debt when she asks him to help the painter. In the film’s climax, she sings “Songstress of the World,” which became Zhou’s signature song.
‘Orioles Banished from the Flowers’ (1948)
A situation comedy involving an accidental trip to Shanghai, the film is filled with songs from Zhou Xuan who plays a young girl with a beautiful voice. Her singing disturbs the tutoring sessions given by a poor university student. But they finally meet and fall in love.
(Zhu Jiayi)
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
