Light and shadow meet, chasing dreams of youth. During the 31st College Student Film Festival, the offline screening of outstanding domestic films of "Light and Shadow Youth" was fully launched, and 29 shortlisted works will be screened offline in Jinbao Cinema and Donghuan Cinema of Dongcheng District.
On April 22, the excellent domestic film "Kong Xiu" was screened at the New Film Federation Donghuan Cinema and ushered in the first post-screening talk. Director Wang Chao brought four leading actors Shen Shiyu, Zhu Dongqing, Wang Xuedong and Yu Qingbin into Dongcheng to communicate and interact with the audience.
Focus on the awakening of women in the era: ideals illuminate the difficult years
The movie "Kong Xiu" is adapted from the semi-autobiographical novel "Dream" by writer Zhang Xiuzhen, which tells the story of how Kong Xiu, a female printing and dyeing factory worker from the early 60s to the mid-80s of the 20th century, broke free from the shackles of marriage and became a writer. The film won the Best Screenplay Award at the 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival and the Best Actress Award at the 18th Eurasian International Film Festival.
As director Wang Chao's ninth film work, "Kong Xiu" continues the creative technique of his debut film "Anyang Baby", the story traces back to the reform years from the early 70s to the mid-80s of the 20th century, focuses on the excitement of people when they move towards opening up before and after the country's major turning point, and tells personal stories under the tide of the times.
Rise up in the trend of reform and pull out the roots in the grinding of life
The presentation of the real nature of the historical environment, the narrative mode of still water flowing, the poetic pursuit of the image and the symbolic meaning of the details constitute the artistic characteristics of the film "Kong Xiu". In order to truly portray the details of the cities in northern China from the early 70s to the mid-80s of the 20th century, the film specially found the old factories that are still in production in the art design, and the detailed props such as quilt covers, bed sheets, pots and pans were directly seconded to the homes of local old workers.
In the context of the changes of the times, the lives of the people in the film have changed dramatically, and ordinary people have begun to be unwilling to accept the arrangement of fate and are full of yearning and pursuit for a better life. The whole story line does not rely on strong stimulation and does not pursue big ups and downs, but calmly grasps small people and small events, and uses ordinary and even trivial things to successfully bring the audience into the movie and arouse the audience's emotional resonance. The audience at the scene said, "I think it's really great that the director filmed Kong Xiu's emotional experience and her self-improvement self-salvation so delicately."
Imagery shapes character changes, and the whistle roars to carry all living beings
As a high-quality literary drama, the director is also very loyal to the changes of the times in the story in terms of the expression of the film soundtrack, from Kong Xiu's daughter shouted the sentence "You are not qualified to care about me, you have not loved", the music suddenly changed from a tape recorder to stereo, director Wang Chao said, "Just like we have walked through that era, the times change in an instant."
In terms of lens expression, the film uses alternative spatial composition to intensify the rendering of the sense of crisis of the story. In addition, the film also cites the roar of the train as an imagery in many places, and director Wang Chao said, "The sound of the train whistle is to some extent remembrance, a spiritual call when she is very vulnerable, suggesting that she can move forward."
After the exchange session, the audience came to the stage to ask the main creative team to sign a commemorative note, and many fans initiated a discussion with the main creator again on their own viewing feelings, and the atmosphere was high.
From April 22nd to April 25th, in addition to the movie "Kong Xiu", in the New Film Federation Jinbao Cinema and Donghuan Cinema, the Beijing International Film Festival and the 31st College Student Film Festival "Light and Shadow Youth" outstanding domestic selected films will continue to be screened, providing the audience with the opportunity to interact with filmmakers at close range, presenting the latest style of Chinese films to the audience, providing a stage for filmmakers to show their talents, and giving the "Cultural East City" a more unique charm of light and shadow.
Text: Propaganda Department of the District Party Committee
Photo: Propaganda Department of the District Party Committee, Beijing International Film Festival and the Organizing Committee of the 31st College Student Film Festival