In a poor family in Tang County, Hebei Province, a girl named Liu Tianhua was born, and she was Tian Hua, an influential performing artist in the Chinese art world.
Tian Hua's childhood life was not easy, after the premature death of her mother, she and many siblings became a burden to her father, and the pressure of life at home fell on her father's shoulders.
In that era of scarcity of materials, she and her family often faced the dilemma of eating the last meal and the next meal, however, the difficult environment did not wear out Xiao Tianhua's strength, she was very sensible since she was a child, took the initiative to help her father share the housework, and even did not hesitate to starve to give the food to the family to eat first.
In 1940, at the age of 12, Tian Hua made a decision that was enough to change her fate. At that time, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression broke out in full swing, and the hometown fell into the hands of the Japanese invaders. The arrival of the Eighth Route Army brought hope to the people, and they fought against the Japanese invaders while promoting anti-Japanese work through theatrical performances.
Under the influence of this general environment, Tian Hua germinated the idea of serving the motherland in his heart.
With enthusiasm for his acting career, Tian Hua found Ge Zhenbang, the president of the Eighth Route Army Anti-Enemy Drama Society, and asked to join the army. Although President Ge rejected her at first on the grounds that she was too young, Tian Hua did not give up, she impressed President Ge with her determination and perseverance, and finally joined the Anti-Enemy Drama Club as she wished and became a young actor.
After Tian Hua joined the drama club, her hard work and talent were quickly demonstrated. She learned from her predecessors very modestly, was strict with herself, and soon became the literary backbone of the drama club.
In the years that followed, she traveled with the drama club to various places to carry out propaganda performances, honing her skills in a difficult environment, and growing in practice.
In this way, Tian Hua grew from an ignorant little girl to a slim girl, and she also went further and further on the road of art. Her life has turned a new page.
In 1944, 16-year-old Tian Hua met the person who changed her life - Su Fan. Su Fan, who is 4 years older than her and whose original name is Yang Zhenyuan, is a top student at North China United University (the predecessor of Chinese People's University). His talent and charisma soon attracted Tian Hua.
At that time, Su Fan had just joined the Anti-Enemy Drama Club, and everyone was full of curiosity about this "great talent". At the instigation of his friends, Tian Hua mustered up the courage to "meet" Su Fan for a while. She secretly pushed open the door, and when she saw Su Fan washing her face, she smiled shyly and ran away.
This shy moment became the beginning of their love. However, their path to love was not smooth. The drama club prohibits love, and they can only carefully keep their relationship underground. Once, Su Fan went on a business trip to Beijing and bought a box of expensive imported chocolates for Tian Hua.
For this gift, he lost a few months' wages Tian Hua was happy and moved, but accidentally forgot to take the wrapping paper away, causing their relationship to be exposed.
When the organization learned of this, they immediately dealt with the two seriously. Su Fan was transferred out of the drama club and went to a combat unit with difficult conditions. Tian Hua was left behind because of his young age. This separation did not cool their feelings, but made the two young hearts stronger.
They silently made a promise that they would only love each other in this life and would never break their vows.
In the next few years, Tian Hua and Su Fan each worked hard and hard work in their respective positions, and won the recognition of the organization with their outstanding performance. In 1948, Tian Hua, who was only 20 years old, had become the pillar of the drama club, and Su Fan had also made many achievements in the combat army.
The organization revoked their punishment and cleared the way for their love.
In August 1949, after five years of long-distance love, 28-year-old Su Fan and 21-year-old Tian Hua finally entered the palace of marriage. However, before the sweetness of the newlywed could be savored, Su Fan received an urgent task: to be responsible for the stage design of the founding ceremony of Tiananmen Square, and to complete it within 28 days.
For this sacred and glorious task, Su Fan moved into the dormitory of the unit overnight and began to work day and night. Although Tian Hua was newly married to Yan'er, she could only live in an empty new house, but she knew the importance of her husband's work and never complained.
28 days later, Su Fan successfully completed the task, and was fortunate to climb the Tiananmen Tower, witnessing the great moment of the birth of New China, seeing that her husband's efforts were rewarded, Tian Hua was sincerely proud and happy for him.
This love, which sprouted in the flames of war and grew up in difficulties, witnessed the steadfastness and courage of Tian Hua and Su Fan, and also laid a solid emotional foundation for their future lives.
1950 was a turning point in fate for 22-year-old Tian Hua. In this year, Yuan Muzhi, director of the Film Bureau of the Ministry of Culture, put forward a proposal to adapt "The White-Haired Girl" into a movie, which was quickly approved.
The task of filming was given to the Northeast Film Studio, which was co-directed by Wang Bin and Shui Hua.
During the casting process, the selection of the heroine "Xi'er" sparked a heated discussion. The candidates are Tian Hua and Zhang Qihong. Zhang Qihong has outstanding appearance and has performed in the opera version of "The White-Haired Girl" and has rich experience.
Director Shui Hua tends to choose Zhang Qihong, but Director Wang Bin is more optimistic about Tian Hua and believes that his temperament is more in line with the requirements of the role.
Things took a turn when the two directors were at odds. Director Shui Hua met Tian Fang, an old comrade-in-arms and then director of Beijing Film Studio, and asked him who to choose to play Xi'er.
Tian Fang had difficulty making decisions for a while, but his wife Yu Lan fell in love with Tian Hua's photo at first sight, thinking that she was more suitable than Zhang Qihong, and Tian Hua was fortunate to get this role that changed her life.
After getting the role, Tian Hua put in unimaginable efforts. In order to better understand and shape the character of Xi'er, she deliberately went to the countryside to experience life and followed the villagers to work from morning to night.
After returning home, she took her husband Su Fan to study the script together, analyze the character traits of the characters, sort out the relationship between each character, and familiarize herself with the lines in advance Tian Hua's professionalism and dedication to art were fully revealed in the process.
In March 1951, the release of the movie "The White-Haired Girl" caused a huge sensation, with more than 6 million viewers in the first round, setting a new box office record. Tian Hua won the love of the audience with his superb acting skills and became a household name overnight.
What's even more enviable is that the Ministry of Culture awarded her a gold medal symbolizing the highest honor, which made the other actors blush.
The success of "The White-Haired Girl" opened the door to Tian Hua's acting career, and she has successively participated in many films such as "Flowers and a Full Moon" and "The Party's Daughter", and her acting career has once again reached a new peak.
Despite the booming career, Tian Hua did not stop there, she seized the opportunity to enter the cadre training class of the Central Academy of Drama for further study to make up for her academic shortcomings.
During this time, Tian Hua was working hard to film on the one hand, and on the other hand, he had to take care of his young son, and at the same time he had to take care of his studies. Despite her busy life, she still maintains her love and pursuit of art.
Her unremitting efforts and dedication to art have written a wonderful chapter in the history of Chinese cinema.
With the success of "The White-Haired Girl", Tian Hua's career is thriving, and his family life is getting better and better. While developing her career, she gave birth to three sons one after another. The family has changed from a family of three to a family of five, and Tian Hua's life has gradually become more fulfilling.
Although in that era, actors were all "salary system", and their income was equivalent to that of ordinary people, but the combined income of Tian Hua and her husband Su Fan was just enough to support a family of five. Although they are not wealthy, their families live in harmony with each other and live happily every day.
In 1959, Tian Hua was transferred to Bayi Film Studio and became colleagues with her husband Su Fan. Here, she has successively participated in works such as "Blue Sea Dan Heart" and "Inside and Outside the Court", and has been widely praised for being loved by the audience.
They help each other in their work and support each other in life, becoming the object of envy in the eyes of others.
In 1983, Tian Hua was promoted to the head of the actors' troupe due to his outstanding performance. In this position, she devoted herself to the work of training young actors. She unreservedly passes on her years of performance experience to the younger generation, encouraging them to pursue their artistic dreams.
Tian Hua resigned as head of the regiment one day seven years later. Although she is over the age of six, she still leaves the opportunity to the young. This spirit of selfless dedication has deeply touched the hearts of peers and won their respect and love.
After retiring, Tian Hua was not idle, she founded the "Tian Hua Art School". She has entered the age of sixtieth year, and she still teaches students in person, not only imparting performance knowledge, but also teaching them the principles of life.
At the same time, Tian Hua's three sons have started a family. Among them, the eldest son Yang Xuelei has made many military exploits after joining the army and was awarded the rank of colonel; The second son, Yang Xuepei, inherited Tian Hua's film career and served as the director of a film research institute; Although the youngest son Yang Xuehong's career is relatively mediocre, he has always been by his parents' side and fulfilled his filial piety.
Whenever he talks about his three sons, Tian Hua is always full of pride and happiness.
First of all, Tian Hua's daughter-in-law was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer. The high cost of treatment has put the younger son's family in a difficult situation. In the face of this sudden change, Tian Hua did not hesitate to take out the savings she had accumulated over the years and fully supported the treatment of her daughter-in-law.
Her selflessness and bravery show the greatness of a mother. However, misfortune does not come alone. Tian Hua's youngest son, Yang Xuehong, was also diagnosed with advanced stage of metastatic brain cancer from lung cancer soon after, and his condition was much more serious than that of his daughter-in-law. This bad news was like a bolt from the blue, and the whole family fell into great grief.
The 80-year-old Tian Hua showed extraordinary strength in the face of his son's condition. On the day of her son's surgery, despite the family's dissuasion, she insisted on waiting in the hospital until she saw her son being pushed out of the operating room.
In the next few years, Tian Hua has been by his youngest son's side, encouraging him to overcome the disease with the power of maternal love, and interpreting the greatness of maternal love with actions.
In 2012, an even heavier blow followed. Tian Hua's second daughter-in-law was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, and only a year later, her husband, Su Fan, who has been together for more than half a century, was also diagnosed with advanced liver cancer metastasis and lung cancer.
In just a few years, four members of their family were diagnosed with cancer, which was a huge blow.
The family has to bear up to $300,000 a month in treatment costs, which puts them under pressure. However, Tian Hua's son and daughter-in-law are ordinary workers with very limited income.
Therefore, the elderly Tian Hua had to bear the burden of the family.
In order to raise medical expenses, the 85-year-old Tian Hua had to return to the stage and perform everywhere. She went to catch a plane or train alone with her luggage, and she didn't even have an assistant by her side.
Sometimes, Tian Hua has to rush to two or three venues a day, and she doesn't even have time to eat, but she always faces the audience with the most attitude and is never ambiguous.
In the most difficult period, Tian Hua still firmly adhered to his principles. Once, a pharmaceutical company took a fancy to Tian Hua's fame and offered her a high salary of 2 million yuan to invite her to be the spokesperson, but Tian Hua resolutely refused, because she thought: "I can't make money without conscience!" Her insistence is undoubtedly awe-inspiring.
This experience became the most difficult period of Tian Hua's life, and it was also the darkest moment for her to show her strength and selflessness.
In June 2015, Tian Hua experienced the most painful day of her life - her youngest son Yang Xuehong finally failed to overcome the disease and left her forever. However, on the day of her son's death, Tian Hua chose to appear on the judges' bench of a singing competition, which caused controversy in the outside world, and some media even criticized her for only recognizing money in her eyes.
In fact, the organizer of this competition is the hospital that treats Tian Hua's youngest son. Tian Hua was appointed as a judge a long time ago, and she did not receive any remuneration to show her gratitude to the hospital.
Her choice to keep her promise even on the day of her son's death is a testament to her commitment to integrity and respect for professionalism.
In the next few years, Tian Hua successively lost his second daughter-in-law, husband Su Fan and younger daughter-in-law. In just five years, she lost four of her closest relatives. In the face of such a heavy blow, Tian Hua was not knocked down, but more tenacious, showing a noble character and a sense of responsibility to society.
Even in such a difficult period, Tian Hua still insists on actively participating in public welfare activities. She personally participated in public welfare activities to raise funds for underprivileged children and visited young people in prison who were being reformed.
She has influenced generations of young people with her noble and indomitable integrity.
After many celebrities and netizens learned the true situation of Tian Hua's family, they asked for donations for her, but Tian Hua refused these kindnesses. "I'm in good health, I'm still able to work, and there are a lot of families in society who are more in need of support than I am," she said. "Her noble and noble qualities deeply touched everyone.
The 94-year-old Tian Hua is still active in front of the screen, and her hard pursuit of acting career has deeply touched everyone. At the same time, her strong and unyielding spirit in the face of life's hardships is admirable.
Tian Hua's story is not only a legend of an actor, but also a vivid portrayal of how an ordinary person maintains dignity and faith in difficulties.