Connecting Guests:
▼ Cao Kefan, deputy to the National People's Congress, host of Shanghai Radio and Television Station and Oriental Satellite TV Center of Shanghai Culture Broadcasting Film and Television Group
▼ Wang Su, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and professor of the Performance Department of the Shanghai Theater Academy
(File photo)
General Secretary Xi Jinping mentioned when visiting members of the agricultural, social welfare and social security circles that the development of the mainland still has many strategic favorable conditions, one of which is "the spiritual strength of self-confidence and self-improvement, the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the Chinese people are further stimulated, the ambition, backbone and confidence are unprecedentedly enhanced, and the party and the army are high and excited."
Literature and art bear the responsibility of becoming a weathered person. How can the vast number of literary and art workers further prosper and develop cultural undertakings, let the main theme story be transformed into rain and rain, moisturize things silently, and enhance the people's self-confidence and self-improvement spiritual strength? This reporter recently connected with the deputies and members attending the two sessions.
Why red film and television "out of the circle"
Reporter: In the past two years, the main theme of red theme film and television works has continued to emerge, many of which are "explosive models". What do you think of this phenomenon?
Cao Kefan: The success of any "blockbuster" work comes from two aspects: one is a solid foundation for life, and the other is that the creators use their hearts and minds. Whether it is a TV series such as "Human World", or an acrobatic drama "Battle shanghai", a dance drama "The Eternal Electric Wave", there are very solid sources and foundations of materials, without which it is a castle in the air. Look at the earlier "blockbusters", such as Mr. Lu Qiming's "Ode to the Red Flag", its birth is rooted in personal life experience - his father was a martyr who gave his life for the revolution. Therefore, Mr. Lu has a strong feeling for the cause of the party, and he poured this feeling into his creation, so that he has such a classic.
Wang Su: In recent years, the state has integrated high-quality artistic resources into the filming of excellent large-scale documentaries such as "National Memory", "These Five Years", "Aerial Photography of China", "Undiscovered China", and "Chinese Handicrafts". In 2021, there are a large number of red classic film and television works, such as the TV series "The Age of Awakening", "Mountains and Seas", the movies "1921", "Eight Hundred", and "ShoudaoRen", all of which are superior in creation and are deeply loved by the people. The 100-episode documentary "Masters" also profoundly shows the beauty and greatness of "introspection", "tenacity" and "dedication" in the spirit of the masters. The audience is inspired by the silent spirit of these works, from worshipping entertainment stars to the exploration of noble spirit and thinking about the meaning of life, so as to lay a correct ideological foundation, establish correct ideals and beliefs, and take a steady step in life.
Respect history reflects reality
Reporter: Some people say that the Chinese stories told by literary and artistic works can be "not so perfect", and "imperfect" reflects our self-confidence, courage and attitude. What do you think?
Cao Kefan: We must look at it dialectically. In artistic creation, we respect history and understand human nature, no one is perfect, and of course we should face up to "imperfection". But on the other hand, we can't deliberately highlight those shortcomings or deficiencies in order to make the characters have a three-dimensional sense. This is an aesthetic problem in the direction of creation, and it is necessary to depict the characters naturally rather than artificially, in order to really tell the story well.
Wang Su: Indeed, it is very important to grasp the relationship between "imperfection" and "reality". Patriotism can finally enter the hearts of the audience, and it also needs more excellent literary and artistic works with the perspective of the times, especially vivid characters and real stories. Let those outstanding figures who are full of personality charm and have made special contributions to the country come from history and come to people with a vivid, touching, and parallel perspective of sharing the same breath and common destiny. These characters have great love, persistence, trade-offs, contradictions, and can make people feel a sense of intimacy and trust. Their footprints, their beliefs, thus shine in the way of the next generation, inspiring young people to find the right direction.
Literary and artistic creation is inseparable from "people"
Reporter: Really good works need both innovation in content and renovation in form. How to explore more connotations and potential of literary and artistic creation?
Cao Kefan: The core of any excellent literary and artistic work is always the content, and the form is to serve the content. Without good content, the form may be temporary, no matter how fresh it is. How do you create good content? This is inseparable from "people". Literary and art workers must go deep into life and the masses, perceive the people's joys and sorrows, and have insight into the essence of life. For example, from the countdown to the twenty-four solar terms at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics to the dance "Only This Green" adapted from Wang Ximeng's Chinese painting "A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains" on the spring evening of CCTV this year, these programs are widely sought after because people feel the charm of traditional Chinese culture and hope to obtain more valuable content. As creators, we should make more efforts to promote traditional Chinese culture, dig deep into traditional ideas, humanistic spirit, and moral norms, and provide higher quality cultural programs for the audience.
Wang Su: As I said earlier, literary and artistic creation should focus on "people" and vigorously disseminate the deeds of outstanding figures. In this regard, we need to integrate excellent resources, strengthen the creation of patriotic works, and expand the scope of radiation. It is recommended to shoot the "100 Biographical Films of Chinese Outstanding Figures" series of works, carefully select people who have made great contributions in education, literature, health, science and technology, industry, agriculture, military, aerospace and other fields in an all-round way, and push their deeds and life and gripping stories to the big screen through in-depth excavation and artistic display, so that more people can see the real power to promote the development of the times and the shocking national spirit, so that the steps of red literary and artistic works towards the public are more solid and powerful.