In the 80s of the last century, a special film genre quietly emerged, and it was "scar films". They are based on real emotions and lives, showing the pain and struggle experienced by the people of that era in the course of historical changes.
This film phenomenon became the mainstream of film expression in the early 80s. And a large number of classic films have emerged in film history, among which the "reflection trilogy" ("The Legend of Tianyun Mountain", "Wrangler" and "Furong Town") by the great director Xie Jin is the most famous. Today, let's take stock of the scar movies that have stabbed and moved us in the early 80s, and let us re-examine the light and shadow memories of that era.
The first "Troubled Man Laughs"
"Troubled Laughter" is directed by Yang Yanjin and Deng Yimin, starring Li Zhiyu, Pan Hong and others. tells the story of Fu Bin, who had just returned to the society from the cadre school in that era of cultural autocracy, who was honest and honest, and was distressed by the lies everywhere. Once, he was ordered to go to the medical school for an interview, and witnessed a very absurd scene, and his heart was greatly stimulated. He didn't want to tell a lie, and he chose to tell the truth, and he was arrested and imprisoned, but he firmly believed that it would not go on forever. In the not-too-distant future, you will be able to live as honestly as before. It was released in 1979.
The film is characterized by a delicate narrative and realistic acting, showing the changes and explorations of the characters' inner worlds. Eye-catching and intriguing. The director makes extensive use of dreams, memories, hallucinations, and stream-of-consciousness expressions to express the inner struggle, pain, and screams of the male protagonist. There is depth, thickness, three-dimensionality, and it is more real and credible.
The two leading actors in the film, Li Zhiyu and Pan Hong, vividly interpret the pathos of the characters, and Pan Hong has also become a "tragic star" in the Chinese film industry with her excellent acting skills. The theme song "Honest Eyes" in the film also adds a lot of points to this movie. The moving rhythm of affection, the deep bass and the affectionate mezzo-soprano convey the sadness and grief of the characters to the extreme.
It can be said that the scale of the filming of the director of "Troubled Laughter" is very bold. In a sense, it is a work that "has never been seen before, and no one has come after". The film has also received widespread international recognition and praise. It has been selected as a screening work by several international film festivals and film critics, and has won some important awards.
The second part of "Bashan Night Rain"
"Bashan Night Rain" is directed by Wu Yonggang and Wu Yigong, starring Li Zhiyu, Zhang Yu, Qiang Ming, Zhong Xinghuo, Ouyang Ruqiu, Lin Bin, Lu Qing and others. tells the story of a ten-year special period, the wronged poet Qiushi was escorted on a passenger ship from Chongqing to Wuhan, and in the third-class cabin, 8 people who met in Pingshui performed the story of that special era. It was released in 1980.
This film is a good film with quite a unique style. The director deliberately avoided conventional narrative conflicts, but used a simple and plain lens language to shift the story from "realistic" to "freehand". There are not many dialogues in the whole film, and the plot development is smooth and concise. Each character has a distinct personality, and the actors' performances are also very real, fresh and fluent. Poetically expresses the theme. Some people say that "Bashan Night Rain" is like a beautiful prose poem, which makes the audience immersed in the warmth of sadness all the time, and unconsciously leaves moving tears.
"Bashan Night Rain" is known as a masterpiece of "scar films" in the 80s, and has an extremely important position in Chinese film history. The film won four awards at the first Golden Rooster Awards ceremony in 1981. It is particularly worth mentioning that the Organizing Committee of the Golden Rooster Awards specially added a Best Supporting Actor and Actress Group Award that year, which was awarded to a group of supporting actors in this film, which was the only special case of the award.
Part 3 "Handcuffed Passengers"
"Passengers in Handcuffs" is directed by Yin Yang, starring Shao Wanlin, Ma Shuchao, Zhao Ziyue, Cai Ming and others. tells the story of the early days of the Cultural Revolution, the A-1 fuel of the missile of the scientific research institute was stolen, and the old public security Liu Jie, who was under review, was listed as a suspected target, and the public security department issued a wanted warrant for pursuit. Liu Jie is tracking the criminal south, but public security officers are also chasing him. Under these circumstances, Liu Jie still overcame many difficulties to bring to justice the spies who stole state weapons secrets, but he was also handcuffed. It was released in 1980.
This is the first film directed by Yu Yang. Under his careful conception, the plot of the film is compact and suspenseful. And skillfully blends elements such as crime, suspense, and action, making the whole movie full of tension and dramatic conflict. Not only did he succeed in creating distinct characters, but he also made the film a memorable work through a unique narrative and visual style.
"Traveler in Handcuffs" is a classic anti-special film, and it is also a scar movie that will be unforgettable for a long time. It not only has the indispensable plot elements of ordinary thriller films, such as tension, thrill, and bizarreness, but also has strong complexity and twists and turns, and the social significance reflected is even more unforgettable. This makes the film dramatic and legendary.
The theme song "Camel Bell" in the film has also become a classic. This song is closely related to the plot and has a beautiful melody, which not only adds a lot of color to the film, but also becomes a common memory in the hearts of people in the 80s.
The fourth "Forgotten Corner by Love"
"The Corner Forgotten by Love" is directed by Zhang Qi and Li Yalin, starring Shen Danping, He Xiaoshu, Yang Hailian, Zhang Shihui and others. tells the story of Shen Huangmei, a rural girl who has been wary of boys since she was a child, to gradually falling in love with Xu Rongshu, to being forced to marry someone to repay the money and resist, and finally catching up with the spring breeze of reform, and finally bravely facing love. It was released in 1981.
This film is not only a romance film, but also a realistic work that deeply reflects the changes and social contradictions of rural life in China. The director uses plain and simple shooting techniques to present scenes full of life to the audience. In this delicate depiction, the audience can not only feel the joys, sorrows and sorrows of the characters, but also experience the atmosphere of the times in that special period. Through the delicate portrayal of characters and plot layout, it shows the complexity and diversity of rural life.
Shen Huangmei played by Shen Danping is the soul of the film. From being afraid of love to fighting for love, Shen Danping has shaped her character extremely full, her performance is natural and real, and she shows Shen Huangmei's inner struggles and contradictions vividly and empatheticly.
It is worth mentioning that the film was rated as one of the top ten outstanding love movies in China for the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up in 2018. This is enough to show its important position and influence in the history of Chinese film. Zhu Mingying's theme song "Song of the Corner" of the film, although it sounds a little depressing and helpless, just reflects the voice of people in that era. Therefore, it is popular on the streets.
Part 5 "Little Street"
"Little Street" is directed by Yang Yanjin and starring Zhang Yu, Guo Kaimin and others. tells the story of the acquaintance of Xia, an ordinary worker, and Yu, a handsome young man, in the turbulent era. Yu's mother was seriously ill, and Xia offered to take Yu to pick herbs, and the two became closer and closer, and they were called brothers. Soon the secret of Yu is "daughter's body" was exposed. Yu told Xia about what happened to him. For Yu's sake, Xia was discovered when he was "stealing" a wig and was beaten until he was almost blind. After Xia was discharged from the hospital, he went to look for Yu, but found that the Yu family had disappeared. Xia found Director Zhong to tell the story, but he didn't think about the ending, and the two hypothesized four endings together. It was released in 1981.
This film is a very beautiful film, with a prose poetic charm. The whole story is like the modern version of "Liang Zhu". The most talked-about thing about the film is the narrative of the movie, the suspenseful setting at the beginning fills the audience's expectations, and the open-ended ending at the end causes the audience to think and argue. "Little Street" also pioneered a style of cinema called mood cinema.
"Little Street" is Zhang Yu and Guo Kaimin's second collaboration after "Lushan Love". The performance of the two is remarkable, and they have successfully created two distinct roles with their excellent acting skills. The woman played by Zhang Yu is full of tenderness and tenacity, her eyes and smile are intoxicating, while Guo Kaimin shows a simple and kind young person, and his sincerity and firmness are touching. The tacit cooperation between the two leading actors makes the emotional expression of the film more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. In 1982, Zhang Yu became the best actress of the first Shanghai Film Studio's "Hundred Flowers Award" with this film.
The theme song of the film "Mom Left Me a Song" writes the beautiful maternal love, friendship and love in the song, and turns the thoughts of childhood, the past, and happy times into notes, which reach the hearts of the people. The audience couldn't help but burst into tears.
The sixth "Xu Mao and His Daughters"
"Xu Mao and His Daughters" is directed by Wang Yan and starring Li Xiuming, Zhang Jinling, Liu Xiaoqing, Li Wei, Li Fengxu, Yang Zaibao and others. Based on the novel of the same name by Zhou Keqin. tells the story of Xu Xiuyun, who lived in Hucchinba in western Sichuan, who was persecuted by her ex-husband at the end of the 70s, and suffered injustice, but she could not get the understanding of her father Xu Mao, and almost went to a dead end.
In 1981, two versions of "Xu Mao and His Daughters" were released. One is the Beijing Film version starring Li Xiuming, and the other is the Bayi version starring Wang Fuli. Although both versions are based on the original book, there are still differences. The protagonist of the Northern Film version is the Four Girls, which is more faithful to the original work. The protagonist of the Bayi version is Xu Mao, an old man, who has made a great adaptation of the original work.
The film has a philosophical overtone, which seems subtle and deep, empowering one in contemplation. Beijing Film Studio's portrayal of the four girls is colorful, delicate and deep, and through the rendering of the characters' emotions, the characters are active on the screen. Compared with the Bayi Factory version, it appears more life-like and more realistic. Compared with the original book, the film always gives people a feeling of dissatisfaction, mainly because the drama is too bland.
The cinematography of the film is also commendable. The photographer used a variety of photography techniques, such as sports lenses and long lenses, to truly present the beautiful scenery of rural Sichuan and the life scenes of Xu Mao's family in front of the audience. At the same time, the soundtrack of the film is also in place, bringing a more immersive viewing experience to the audience.
The film's starring Li Xiuming, Zhang Jinling, and Liu Xiaoqing were all top actresses in the Chinese film industry at that time. Their performances are real and touching, and they have successfully shaped the distinct character traits of Xu Mao's four daughters. In particular, Xu Xiuyun played by Li Xiuming, with his deep eyes and sincere emotions, successfully created an unforgettable character image. Her eyes seemed to speak, full of melancholy and anticipation, which was moving. In 1982, Li Xiuming also became the double queen of the Golden Rooster Award and the Hundred Flowers Award with this film.
The seventh "Legend of Tianyun Mountain"
"The Legend of Tianyun Mountain" is directed by Xie Jin and starring Shi Weijian, Wang Fuli, Shi Jianlan, Hong Xuemin and others. tells the story of 1957, when the intellectual Luo Qun was beaten as a rightist, his fiancée Song Wei left him, and Song Wei's classmate Feng Qinglan formed a family with him in times of crisis, and the two survived the difficulties together. It was released in 1981.
This film is the first part of director Xie Jin's "Reflection Trilogy". When dealing with movies with serious themes, they can always show the true face of human nature in a plain and natural way. In the film, the director skillfully uses the techniques of conflict and contrast, showing the complex relationships and emotional changes between the characters. As an idealistic and ambitious intellectual, Luo Qun still insisted on his beliefs and pursuits after suffering a blow. And Song Wei made a difficult choice between love and ideals, which made people deeply sympathetic. Feng Qinglan is a typical image of a good wife and mother, she did not hesitate to choose to spend the difficulties with Luo Qun when he was in trouble, showing the brilliance and greatness of human nature.
In terms of cinematography, the film skillfully expresses the theme by contrasting the desolation of Tianyun Mountain with the warmth of the characters. Every picture captured by the photographer is full of emotional power, whether it is the mountains covered with wind and snow, or the vicissitudes of the characters' faces, they all make people feel the heaviness of history and the insignificance of individuals.
Although "The Legend of Tianyun Mountain" won six awards at the first Chinese Film Golden Rooster Awards, including Best Feature Film and Best Director. But after the film was released, there was a lot of controversy. And it lasted for more than a year, during which Xie Jin received tens of thousands of letters from the audience, and he soon completed his second work "Wrangler", which reflected on history.
Part 8 "Wrangler"
"Wrangler" is directed by Xie Jin and starring Zhu Shimao, Cong Shan, Niu Ben, Liu Qiong and others. Adapted from Zhang Xianliang's novel "Spirit and Flesh", it tells the story of Xu Lingjun who went to work in the northwest pasture after being branded as a "rightist", received the care and care of local herdsmen, and married a rural girl Li Xiuzhi. Although the situation later turned around, his father wanted him to go to the United States to inherit the family business, but he resolutely gave up the opportunity to live in the United States and decided to stay and build his motherland. It was released in 1982.
Through the story of Xu Lingjun, "Wrangler" shows the life and psychological changes of people in that special era, as well as the power of innocent and kind interpersonal relationships and beautiful love. The film is a thought-provoking and philosophical work. With a real and touching artistic image and a distinctive artistic conception, it composes an ode to the beauty of human nature and human feelings, which is true, internal, cold and profound.
Director Xie Jin also showed superb skills in the narrative and audiovisual language of the film. Through the skillful use of lenses and editing techniques, he vividly shows the vastness and magnificence of the grassland, and the joys, sorrows and sorrows of the characters. The heroes and heroines in the film, Zhu Shimao and Cong Shan performed really naturally, which added points to the film. The music in the film also sets off the atmosphere just right, bringing a more immersive viewing experience to the audience.
"Wrangler" caused a sensation when it was released. The love between "Lao Xu" and "Xiuzhi" touched countless people, with more than 130 million viewers, and also triggered a national discussion of "how to love the country".
Part 9 "Garland Under the Mountain"
"Garland Under the Mountain" is directed by Xie Jin, starring Lu Xiaohe, Tang Guoqiang, Gai Ke, He Wei, Wang Yumei, Tong Chao, Siqin Gaowa, Ni Dahong and others. Based on Li Cunbao's novel of the same name, it is based on the self-defense and counterattack war against Vietnam, and shows the complex interweaving of war and human nature through the changes in the life of a company before, during and after the war. Liang Sanxi, Zhao Mengsheng, Jin Kailai and other characters with distinctive personalities jumped on the paper under Xie Jin's lens and became an eternal memory in the hearts of the audience. It was released in 1984.
This film seems a bit old-fashioned from the synopsis alone, but after watching the film, you will understand how much shock this movie will bring to the audience. It is not a simple ode to the People's Liberation Army, but sets up two opposing images, one positive and one negative, revealing the theme. Director Xie Jin depicts the characters' personalities and emotions with delicate techniques, and also shows the scenes and atmosphere of the war from a grand perspective. A clever blend of the brutality of war and the brilliance of humanity. Through his delicate lens language and wonderful plot arrangement, he allows the audience to feel the tragedy of the war while also experiencing the warmth and strength of human nature.
The characters in the film are both heroic and have the characteristics of ordinary people, with distinct personalities and flesh and blood. The soundtrack of the film is also excellent, with a combination of music and sound that enhances the mood and atmosphere of the film.
The film caused a huge sensation, and in 1985, it won the 5th Golden Rooster Awards, including seven awards including Best Feature Film, Best Director, and Best Actor. He also won four awards at the 8th Hundred Flowers Awards, including Best Feature Film and Best Actor. This film has a score of 9.5 points on Douban, ranking among the top 250 Douban movies. Forty years have passed. "Garland Under the Mountain" has always maintained the pinnacle status of Chinese war films.
Part 10 "Furong Town"
"Furong Town" is directed by Xie Jin and starring Liu Xiaoqing, Jiang Wen and others. Based on Gu Hua's novel of the same name, it tells the story of Hu Yuyin, a female street vendor in Furong Town, who became rich through labor, but was persecuted in a series of political movements. It was released in 1987. This movie has a score of 9.3 points on Douban.
The narrative technique of the film is full of director Xie Jin's ingenuity. He adopts a non-linear narrative approach, through the interweaving of the protagonist Hu Yuyin's memories and real life, showing a woman's spiritual journey in extreme circumstances. This narrative not only adds layers to the plot, but also enables the audience to understand the inner world of the characters more deeply.
From "The Legend of Tianyun Mountain" to "Wrangler", and then to "Furong Town", Xie Jin is extremely good at skillfully using the lens language in the film, integrating local customs and character portrayal. He captures it through delicate lenses, showing the natural scenery and humanistic atmosphere, and truly blends the scenes. The same is true of "Furong Town", where the fictional town seems to have become a real existence in the hearts of the audience. At the same time, the director also controlled the rhythm of the film just right through clever editing and sound effects, so that the audience can emotionally fluctuate as the story develops.
The performances of the actors in the film are also excellent. Hu Yuyin, played by Liu Xiaoqing, has eyes full of wisdom and tenacity, as if they can penetrate the fog of history and let us see the brilliance and greatness of human nature. Qin Shutian, played by Jiang Wen, shows the struggle and perseverance of an intellectual in a difficult situation with his deep and restrained performance. The performances of the two complement each other, making the film more vivid and powerful. And the supporting characters in the film also add a lot to the story. They are kind, cunning, ignorant, or intelligent, and each of them plays a different role on the stage of history. Their presence not only enriches the content of the story, but also allows us to see the diversity and complexity of human nature.
Xie Jin's works often take the fate of the individual as the starting point, reflecting the grandeur of the times. "Furong Town" is one such work, which not only tells a story of oppression and resistance, suffering and hope, but also a profound reflection on a specific historical period.
"Furong Town" also experienced a lot of turmoil when it was released, first because the content of the film was too sensitive, and it was requested to be banned. After the revision, it is finally ready for release. However, the relevant departments forbade Liu Xiaoqing and Jiang Wen to attend the premiere. And the film was also banned from exhibiting abroad. Xie Jin went to the competent department to plead again, and finally got permission to screen abroad. After the film was released at home and abroad, it received rave reviews. Winner of multiple awards.
These 10 scar movies from the 80s have accompanied us through the stinging and touching years of youth. Each one is a classic that cannot be replicated. Now I can only sigh that the movies at that time were too daring to be made. It's hard to make a movie like this now. If there is any scar movie in your heart that has made you cry, please leave a message in the comment area.