Preface
News! Shi Weijian, a famous performing artist, passed away at 8:08 a.m. on May 12, 2024 in Beijing at the age of 89. This artist, known as the "walking history of Chinese drama", left the stage and us in this way.
Mr. Shi has been a leader in the art world all the way. As one of the first batch of young actors trained by the Shanghai People's Art Theater, he has written his own legend in the field of drama and film with perseverance and perseverance throughout his life.
The drama is extensive, and the image of the big screen is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people
In 1935, Shi Weijian was born in an old liberated area in Huai'an County, Jiangsu. In 1950, he was admitted to the Actor Training Institute of the Shanghai People's Art Theater and started his stage career.
The prelude to Mr. Shi's career was when he went to the front line in North Korea in 1952 to perform the drama "Liu Hulan" for the heroic People's Volunteers. With enthusiasm, this new theater star showed his talent for the first time.
In 1956, Shi Weijian was transferred to the Central Experimental Theater and has played major roles in many heavyweight dramas since then. Whether it is the image of the "two masters" in "One Servant and Two Masters", or the merry genius played in "Peach Blossom Fan", he excavates the personality of the characters to the fullest.
Xie Jin, a well-known director, once commented: "He is good at combining his life experience with the rich connotation of the role, so as to create a stage image with great vitality."
It wasn't until 1981 that the movie "The Legend of Tianyun Mountain" and Mr. Shi drew a new milestone in their lives. In this classic film, which won many awards such as the 1st Golden Rooster Award for Best Feature Film, he brilliantly interpreted the actor Luo Qun, an intellectual who defended his family and country in turbulent times.
The audience still has a deep impression of the young and handsome Shi Weijian. When watching the movie, his eyes full of wisdom and wisdom are unforgettable. As a result, the film has become a classic in the history of Chinese cinema.
Two years later, he continued to write a good story with director Xie Jin, playing Mr. Sun Yat-sen in "Qiu Jin", showing excellent acting skills again. This film, which reflects the history of modern China, is also a well-deserved classic masterpiece.
Never be limited to a single role
Xie Jin once said: "In the early days when I worked with Mr. Shi, I found that he was stubborn and tenacious, and he was never limited to a fixed role." It is this persistent pursuit of art that Mr. Shi was able to write a legendary life.
In addition to leaving a strong mark on the stage and screen, Mr. Shek also has a unique eye for theatre management. In 1991, he became the director of the China Youth Art Theater, first solving the housing problem of dozens of theater members.
Later, he spent tens of millions of yuan to build the "Qingyi Building" for the theater in the Oriental Plaza of the capital, which greatly improved the living and working conditions of the entire troupe. It can be said that he not only dazzles on the stage, but also achieves great achievements behind the scenes.
In 1993, he joined hands with the China Youth Art Theater to lead a team to Taiwan to perform the drama "Guan Hanqing" with the beautiful vision of promoting cross-strait cultural exchanges. It was another glorious moment in his career.
The drama is profound, and the apprentices praise him
After all, with more than 60 years of experience, Mr. Shi is highly respected in the theater industry. The younger generations all admired him, especially the apprentices who had been taught in person, and they were full of praise for his teacher.
Zhang Xiaobrown is a close disciple of Mr. Shi, and the two have known each other for decades. Zhang Xiaozhang recalled: "Mr. Shi was kind to others, strict with us, and even more important than words. During rehearsals, he would repeatedly ponder the script and explain the inner world of each character to us. "
Zhang Xiaozhang also said that Mr. Shi is very supportive of young actors, and exhorted us to "not be too rational in our performances, but to maintain our nature and agility as artists." These teachings are still of great use to this day.
Zhang Huizhong's apprentice even said bluntly that the most admirable thing about Mr. Shi is his dedication and awe to the drama career. "The older he gets, the more studious he becomes." Zhang Huizhong recalled that even in his old age, Mr. Shi often traveled to remote mountainous areas to give condolence performances for the residents there.
"As long as someone needs it, he will stand on the stage without hesitation. This passion for art is his eternal example to everyone. Zhang Huizhong said earnestly.
After decades of affection, his wife tried her best to serve
Stories of long-term romance are often heartwarming. The same is true of Mr. Shi's love, which makes people ask themselves, behind this artistic pursuit, is there also the selfless support and waiting of his wife?
It is reported that Mr. Shi and his wife Li Yufu have been together for decades. The two have been a "model couple" in the theater industry since the 1960s.
Saiya Sia, Mr. Shi's maternal uncle, recalls that Li Yufu is not only Mr. Shi's most solid backing, but also a thoughtful "hero behind the scenes".
"Aunt Li is busy with work, but she is also meticulous to her family. Whenever Mr. Shi was working in other places, she would always serve her husband with all her might. "If she stayed up late at night to rehearse, she would wait outside the theater and bring her husband a hot meal." If she travels long distances, she will also try to find the right train to accompany her. "
It can be said that it is Li Yufu's tolerance and support that allows Mr. Shi to march towards art with peace of mind and devote himself to every stage role. What the audience sees is only the tip of the iceberg.
However, the good times were short-lived. In his later years, Mr. Shi suffered from one illness after another. Saiya Sia sighed: "Mr. Shi's health deteriorated in his later years, and his wife was really heartbroken. The children also served to the best of their ability, for fear of a mistake. "
Taking care of her seriously ill husband, Li Yufu herself endured the torture of physical exhaustion. However, in order to let Mr. Shi enjoy his old age in peace, she would rather go to the soup generously and be filial to the end.
"Aunt Li often said that she was using this last filial piety to repay Mr. Shi's contributions to the family for many years." Saiya Sia said emotionally, "The relationship between the two is really an unfathomable science!"
The art world has passed away, and the drama has endured forever
Although Taidou has passed away now, his outstanding contributions to the cause of Chinese theater will surely last forever.
Talking about his teacher, Zhang Xiaozhang said emotionally: "Mr. Shi's eternal love for the stage is the most precious artistic gift of our generation. He spent his life interpreting what is the piety and dedication to art, and also showed the ethics and demeanor that a stage artist should have with practical actions. "
Zhang Huizhong also said sincerely: "Although we are deeply saddened by Mr. Shi's passing, his contribution to Chinese drama and film is immortal. His rigorous attitude towards works and spirit of exploration will always take root, sprout, blossom and bear fruit in our hearts!"
As Zhang Xiaozhang and Zhang Huizhong said, Shi Weijian's predecessors used their lives to interpret the highest level of dramatic art. His devotion to his career and his ethical demeanor as an artist will forever inspire those who come after him to overcome obstacles and continue to write brilliantly.
Although the death of Taidou makes us sigh, the glorious chapter of the drama he painted for the Chinese nation will continue to be written! May the spirit of this artist live on forever and illuminate the new long march of the Chinese land theater industry.