In 1987, China Central Television (CCTV) first aired Dream of the Red Chamber, a drama based on the Qing Dynasty classic novel of the same name by Cao Xueqin. The broadcast of the show is not only a major attempt at cultural inheritance, but also a milestone in the history of Chinese TV dramas, which has been widely praised for its profound cultural connotation and superb production level. Prior to this, although Dream of Red Mansions had been adapted into plays and films many times, none of them could fully capture the spiritual essence of the original work. The challenge for director Wang Fulin is not only how to stay true to the original work, but also how to reinterpret this literary work through the medium of television so that it can resonate with modern audiences.
In Beijing in the late '80s, director Wang Fulin's office was piled up with cover letters from all over the country, all hoping to get a role in the upcoming filming of "Dream of Red Mansions." Among these letters, one from Anshan, Liaoning Province, particularly caught Wang Fulin's attention. The little poems contained in the letter reveal a deep melancholy, just like Lin Daiyu's distressing fragile beauty.
"Director, look at the photo of this young lady, what do you think?" Assistant Xiao Li carefully handed the photo to Wang Fulin.
Wang Fulin took the photo, and saw that there was an indescribable sadness between the woman's eyebrows, which seemed to be incompatible with the prosperity of the world. He read out the poem in her letter softly: "I am a catkins, growing up in a beautiful spring, because my parents abandoned me prematurely......" Isn't this exactly the portrayal of Lin Daiyu?
After the decision, Wang Fulin began the intense casting work. On the day of the audition, the office was crowded with young actors from all over the country. Chen Xiaoxu walked into the interview room with a hint of nervousness. Every movement of her, every smile, reveals an unspoken sadness and nobility.
"Miss Chen, can you tell me why you want to play Lin Daiyu?" Wang Fulin's voice was calm.
Chen Xiaoxu took a deep breath and said slowly: "Lin Daiyu's tragedy is not only her life experience and fate, but also her profound emotional world and persistent pursuit of beautiful things. I saw not only her vulnerability, but also her strength and independence. ”
After the interview, Wang Fulin knew that he had found his Lin Daiyu. Chen Xiaoxu is not the most beautiful candidate, maybe her acting skills are not mature enough, but she has a special temperament that others cannot copy.
As the crew took shape, the filming work gradually began. Every scene and every dialogue in the play strives to restore the essence of the original work. Wang Fulin pays special attention to the handling of details, from costumes to sets, and strives for perfection in every place, in order to achieve a double height of visual and emotional restoration.
During the filming process, Chen Xiaoxu's performance gradually matured, and she was able to profoundly reveal Lin Daiyu's complex inner world. Especially when showing the entanglement and psychological struggle between Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu, her every look and tears are particularly moving. Her chemistry with other actors, especially the interaction between the actors who play Jia Baoyu, adds a lot of highlights.
One day during the filming, the scene was set in the Grand View Garden. Chen Xiaoxu sat at the stone table, holding the "Book of Songs" in his hand, and read it softly. Her voice seemed to carry a kind of sadness from ancient times to the present, which touched the heartstrings of everyone present.
"Director, I wanted to add more emotional swings to this scene. Chen Xiaoxu found Wang Fulin between filming and talked about her thoughts.
After listening carefully, Wang Fulin nodded, "Okay, let's try your idea." Lin Daiyu's inner world is very rich, and you can show this, which is an improvement for the whole series. ”
This dialogue and collaboration eventually led to the 1987 version of Dream of the Red Chamber becoming a classic. The audience was not only attracted by the profound cultural heritage, but also moved by the superb acting skills of the actors.
With the broadcast of "Dream of Red Mansions", Chen Xiaoxu's Lin Daiyu quickly won the love of the audience. Her faint melancholy and self-evident nobility have become an indelible image in the hearts of countless audiences. Wang Fulin's good intentions have also been recognized, and this series has become a peak in the history of Chinese TV dramas.
The success of Dream of Red Chambers lies not only in its faithfulness to the spirit and emotional expression of the original work, but also in how it reinterprets the value of a masterpiece of classical literature through the modern medium of television. It reminds us that no matter how times change, those profound discussions about love, dreams, and human nature can always transcend the barriers of time and touch people's hearts. Just like the image of Lin Daiyu, although it bears the obvious imprint of the times, the emotions and struggles she expresses are universal and can be resonated with in every era.