"The left-wing film movement is an important part of the history of Chinese cinema, and left-wing cinema is the art of the times and the art of the masses of the people." At the door of the Red Star Film World, Ouyang Wei, dressed in a suit, stood in front of the display board of the Left Union Film Exhibition and took a photo. He is the grandson of the playwright Tian Han and the grandson of the theater artist Ouyang Yuqian.
The "Red Light and Shadow's Initial Heart" left-wing film exhibition opened in Hongkou District on March 26, directed by Xu Xingzhi and written by Tian Han and Xia Yan, the film "Children of the Wind and Clouds" is the opening film of this exhibition month. In this film, Tian Han composed the lyrics and Nie Er composed the music, and composed the theme song "March of the Volunteer Army", which later became the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.
Stills from "Children of the Storm"
"Grandpa not only creates plays, but also films, reflecting the voice of the times." Ouyang Wei introduced that in the five years from the summer of 1932 to the "July 7 Incident" in 1937, progressive literary and art workers, under the leadership of the party, created a precedent for the left-wing film movement and formed a brilliant period in the history of China's film development. "Left-wing filmmakers, in the face of national peril and white terror, have neither capital, nor machinery and equipment, nor mature experience, and with great enthusiasm and down-to-earth spirit, carry out the organization, planning, and creation and performance of films." In his view, the left-wing filmmakers represented by Tian Han and others played an important role in the struggle for national liberation and national resistance in the unique way of film art at that time, laying the foundation for entering the film movement after the all-out War of Resistance and forming a progressive film system in China.
Stills from "Angel of the Road"
Ouyang Wei followed his mother's surname and lived in his grandfather's house when he was a child, but he visited his grandfather Tian Han every week. "The relationship between Tian Han and Ouyang Yuqian is very good, and my surname stems from the agreement between the two at that time." He said that his mother was the only daughter of Ouyang Yuqian, and his father was the eldest son of Tian Han, "The Ouyang family and the Tian family agreed that if my parents had two sons, one of them would be surnamed Ouyang, so I would take my mother's surname." ”
Stills from "Peach and Lee Robbery"
When he was with his grandfather and grandfather, Ouyang Wei was still very young. "When I grew up, I read their books and walked their path, and my hearts seemed to be more and more connected." He said, "Although Grandpa and Grandpa's artistic styles are different, the two are spiritually compatible, and the friendship lasts a lifetime." ”
During the screening month, 8 films created and directed by Left Alliance members Xia Yan, Tian Han, Xu Xingzhi, Shen Xiling, Ying Yunwei, etc., "Children of the Wind and Clouds", "Fisherman's Light Song", "Road Angel", "Cross Street", "Peach and Plum Robbery", "Gadgets" and "Spring Silkworm" will be screened in 4 cinemas in Hongkou District for 20 shows.
As one of the important areas of Shanghai's "Groundbreaking Ground -- Excavation and Propaganda Project of the Birthplace of the Party", Hongkou is the place where the Left Alliance was founded. In the 1930s, the Chinese Left-Wing Writers Union was established, and since then, the "Social Federation", "American Union" and "Drama Alliance" have been established successively. In March 1933, the party's film group headed by Xia Yan was formally established, opening up a new world of left-wing films and creating a number of left-wing films with revolutionary ideology.
Stills from "Fisherman's Song"
The 8 films selected this time are very representative works of left-wing films. In addition to "Children of the Storm", "Tao Li Robbery" is the first film in China to be filmed with sound and reflect the bumpy life of young students; "Fisherman's Song" is The first film in China to win international honors and tell the story of Chinese fishermen's families; in addition, there are also films made by famous movie stars such as Shangguan Yunzhu, Zhou Xuan, Ruan Lingyu in the last century that reflect the fate of the toiling masses and call for the nation to rise up.
"The older generation is characterized by sincerity, deep affection for the people, and persistent pursuit of art." Ouyang Wei said, "The current audience can see the history from these films and see the contributions made by their predecessors to Chinese culture. ”
Left-wing film screening monthly schedule
Column Editor-in-Chief: Shi Chenlu Text Editor: Zhang Yi
Source: Author: Zhang Yi