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May 17, 2021

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Forum hails Xujiahui鈥檚 鈥榬ed鈥 cinema role

Xujiahui, a commercial landmark in downtown Shanghai, once served as the birthplace of China鈥檚 revolutionary films and songs that inspired Chinese people for generations, experts said over the weekend.

The prosperous commercial hub features the Pathe Villa, where China鈥檚 national anthem was recorded, as well as the Yinjiajiao area, where Shanghai Film Group is based.

鈥淵injiajiao is the 鈥榬ed gene鈥 of the Chinese film industry,鈥 said Xu Pengle, former vice president of the group, who has been working and living in the area for decades.

Classic left-wing movies such as the 鈥淪ong of The Fishermen,鈥 the first award-winning Chinese film, 鈥淐hildren of Troubled Times,鈥 whose theme song later became China鈥檚 national anthem, as well as 鈥淭he Goddess鈥 starring famous actress Ruan Lingyu, were produced at the site.

Inspiring films such as the 鈥淎ngels on the Road鈥 and 鈥淭he Adventures of Sanmao the Waif鈥 were also produced there, Xu told a public forum at the villa on Saturday.

Senior musicians, officials from the film company and experts introduced the film and music history of the Xujiahui area, while sharing their personal experiences on the site, at the monthly Hui Forum.

The audience was invited to the third floor of the Pathe Villa at 811 Hengshan Road, which has newly reopened to the public after a major facelift.

Some 5,300 people have visited the villa since it reopened on May 1, said Jiang Yan, deputy director of the Xuhui District Culture and Tourism Bureau. The bureau plans to further explore the revolutionary history of Xujiahui and publish a book titled 鈥淭he Red Gene of Xujiahui鈥 this year.

Famous pianist Chen Gang who was born in 1935, the same year  the national anthem was initially recorded in the villa, said the song 鈥淢arch of the Volunteers鈥 has been inspiring him all through his life.

His father Chen Gexin, known as the 鈥渇ather of China鈥檚 pop music,鈥 recorded a dozen classic songs he composed in the villa, Chen said. They include the 鈥淩ose, Rose I Love You鈥 and 鈥淣ightlife in Shanghai.鈥

Cai Jiaqian, assistant general manager of China Record Group Shanghai, said the classic song 鈥淩ose, Rose I Love You鈥 once made the top of the US pop music list, and has been promoted across the world from the iconic villa.


 

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