TV series "The World of Man": Presents the history of 50 years of changes in Chinese society

Reporter Miao Chun

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The TV series "The World of Man" began broadcasting on the comprehensive channel of China Central Radio and Television Corporation and iQiyi on January 28. Jointly launched by Tencent Pictures, Xinli Media and Yuwen Film and Television, this drama is adapted from Liang Xiaosheng's novel of the same name that won the Mao Dun Literature Award, taking the life trajectory of the three brothers and sisters of the Zhou family in a northeastern city as the context, depicting the great changes in Chinese society in the past 50 years and the ups and downs of the people's lives in multiple angles, multi-directions and levels, arousing the attention of the audience. Recently, the reporter interviewed Li Lu, the director and chief producer of the play.

Reporter: Why do you want to bring the novel "The World of Man" to the screen?

Li Lu: In the past, I also wanted to adapt and shoot another novel with the same theme, but I couldn't make it. When the partner Tencent Pictures recommended "The World", I immediately felt "right". This thick novel has a very rich detail precipitation, and it praises reform and opening up with deep feelings. The depth of the work from the bottom of society to the top is something I have always liked. Shooting this work is also the embodiment of my personal sense of mission. I hope to convey the power and temperature of looking at reality, to make the audience empathize, especially to let young audiences understand that our good life today is not easy to come by.

Reporter: Why did you choose Wang Haiyu to write the screenplay? What are the similarities and differences between the script and the original?

Li Lu: When I wanted to ask Wang Haiyu to write the screenplay, I asked Zhou Meisen, the original author of "In the Name of the People", and Chen Daoming, chairman of the Chinese Filmmakers Association, respectively, and they both felt that Wang Haiyu was suitable. She not only has a wealth of creative experience, an innate female perspective, but also a ability to understand people and things in novels. She and Liang Xiaosheng are also very familiar, know the weight of this novel, and can be said to be creating with a sense of awe. The TV series tried to retain the core plot of the original work, and also added some new content, such as the demolition of "light character films", the development and construction of Shenzhen and other plots, the novel was hurriedly swept, and the play occupied a lot of space; the novel did not write to the present, and we made detailed supplements to the story close to the current era.

Reporter: How are the actors chosen?

Li Lu: In terms of casting, we put a lot of thought into it. Partners Tencent Pictures and Xinli Media support the whole process of making this drama into a head drama, and the actor selection criteria are "the most suitable, regardless of the others". In the play, there are "four beams and eight pillars", "four beams" are the three brothers and sisters of the Zhou family and Zhou Bingkun's wife Zheng Juan, we invited Xin Baiqing, Song Jia, Lei Jiayin and Yin Tao to play; the actors of "Eight Pillars" Sarina, Zhang Kaili, Ding Yongdai, Song Chunli, Yu Zhen, etc. are also powerful. When the actor is right, the play will be good.

Reporter: What was the filming process of this drama?

Li Lu: This drama was filmed for a total of 6 months. We insisted on live-action shooting, and the crew went to Changchun, Harbin, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guiyang and other places to shoot; we also took a 40,000-square-meter scene, and the light line used 70,000 meters long. My principle is: as long as there is a location, never go into the studio to shoot. For some scenes with few scenes, the crew may travel hundreds of kilometers. The costume of this drama is also more elaborate. In the preparatory stage before shooting, we collected a lot of old objects, such as old posters, old wall calendars, old clothes, etc., so that the audience can return to the past era as soon as they see it.

Reporter: Northeast China is your hometown, what are your special feelings about filming here? What is the tone of the northeast reflected in this play?

Li Lu: Filming "The World of People" in my hometown has fulfilled my wish, and the most beautiful and rugged things in Northeast China have been shown in "The World of People". I don't direct many works, whether it is "The Happiness of the Boss", "Take the 88 Bus Home", or "The Name of the People" and "Circuit Prosecutor Group", the main tone is warm, especially "The World of Man". In this drama, it is said that "the southern geese fly north", and many entrepreneurs who have successful careers in Shenzhen and Hainan return to Heijiliao. The northeast is rich in resources, and we call on more individuals and companies to invest in the northeast and find suitable ways to revitalize China's important industrial base.

Reporter: Disney has purchased the overseas distribution rights of "Human World", what impact has this on your creation?

Li Lu: A month after the start-up, Disney pre-purchased the overseas exclusive distribution rights of this drama, which had a great impact on our shooting, every shot, every line, every scene must have an international perspective, thinking about what foreigners will think when they see it. I think Disney also hopes that foreigners will see through this drama what kind of changes have taken place in Chinese society in the past 50 years, and how these changes have occurred.

Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition