The Paper's reporter Chen Chen
This year marks the centenary of Shangguan Yunzhu's birth. As a famous actor, Shangguan Yunzhu has left us with many vivid and moving artistic images in his lifetime. His masterpiece "The Crow and the Sparrow" is a very outstanding film in the late 1940s, representing the highest level of Chinese film creation in that era, and also the peak of the realist theme at that time, which still seems to have a high artistic interest and viewing value. Shangguan Yunzhu also won the first prize of the Ministry of Culture's Excellent Film Award for his role as Mrs. Hua in this film.
The Crow and the Sparrow poster
On December 18th, the special screening of "Crows and Sparrows" sponsored by the National Art Film Screening Alliance was held in Shanghai. This event is also one of the series of activities jointly carried out by the All-China Arts Federation and the Flagship Store of Red Star Film World Shanghai Wuzhong Road. Wei Ran, son of Shangguan Yunzhu, Zhao Zuo, son of Zhao Dan Huang Zongying, Wei Jia, son of Wei Heling, and other descendants of the film's creators attended the event together, and Ishikawa, vice chairman of the Shanghai Filmmakers Association and professor of the Shanghai Theater Academy, presided over the post-screening salon, and old party members and fans from the Wisteria District of Hongqiao Town came to watch the film.
The restored "The Crow and the Sparrow" has been reborn in the quality of sound and painting, and the two beauties shangguan Yunzhu and Huang Zongying are still fanghua in the film. The descendants of the two old movie stars also chatted with the audience after the screening about the behind-the-scenes anecdotes of their mothers swapping roles.
Shangguan Yunzhu's role was originally Huang Zongying's
At the post-screening salon of "The Crow and the Sparrow", Wei Ran, son of Shangguan Yunzhu, said that it was very gratifying that the classic films in the history of Chinese cinema could be re-screened after being restored, and it was also very happy to see such clear images and delicate pictures on the big screen.
Zhao Zuo, the son of Zhao Dan Huang Zongying, mentioned that the older generation of actors are very passionate about their profession and study each role, and they hope to create a different role in each film, which also makes Shangguan Yunzhu, Huang Zongying and other old artists create a different classic screen image in this film.
Wei Jia, the son of Wei Heling, said that the film gathered the top cast at that time, and everyone was the protagonist of the film, and they collectively created such a classic work in the history of Chinese cinema.
Wei Ran, Zhao Zuo, Wei Jia, Ishikawa
Speaking of collective creation, Professor Ishikawa also revealed behind-the-scenes footage of the film's creation. It turned out that the creative environment at that time was not good, and when the collective screenwriters sat around a table disguised as playing mahjong, they were actually discussing the script with their tongues. "The artists of that era also experienced soaring prices, a state of wandering and helplessness, and shared the fate of the people." Ishikawa said.
Zhao Dan and Huang Zongying's son Zhao Zuo joked, "At that time, the actors were a bit 'lowly', if there was no white terror, no oppression, very comfortable, but there was nothing out." If there is difficulty, it will use the brain. ”
In the film, the gentle and kind Mrs. Hua portrayed by Shangguan Yunzhu and the mean And mean Yu Xiaoying, played by Huang Zongying, are quiet and moving, elegant and stylish, complement each other. When talking about the roles created by the mother in that year, the two sons also talked about the experience of exchanging roles in that year, which achieved the peak of the mother's art.
Wei Ran said, "At the beginning, my mother wanted to play the role of Aunt Zongying, but if she played, it was another "A River of Spring Water Flowing East", and there was no breakthrough. And Zhao Zuo said, "The role of Yu Xiaoying, I think that aunt Shangguan is not as good as my mother, and my mother is suitable for this role!" ”
The significance of the restoration of old films is to re-become a public cultural product
"Treasures: Chinese Classic Films Screening" is an important part of the "2020 Rekindling the Light of Art" excellent domestic art film screening program, which has received special financial support from the national film. Ten classic films collected and restored by the China Film Archive were screened through four units: "New China New Countryside", "Defending the Family and Defending the Country", "Masterpieces of Famous Artists" and "Commemoration of the Centenary of the Birth of Shangguan Yunzhu". Classic old films in the history of Chinese cinema, such as "Longsugou", "Blessing", "Shangganling" and "Heroes and Children", will be held from December 10 to 30 in 11 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Nanjing and Hangzhou.
Poster for "Treasures: Screening of Chinese Classic Films"
Professor Ishikawa believes that the touring exhibition of the National Federation of Arts has made a good demonstration this time. "After film entered the all-digital era, film, as the material carrier of traditional film, was basically included in the ranks of cultural heritage. The China Film Archive took the lead in carrying out rescue repairs in planned batches, which has been carried out for many years, but the problem we now have is that one of the biggest contradictions is that we can repair and not screen, after many films are repaired, because of the current market conditions, there is no opportunity to enter the commercial theater. Now, through the National Alliance for the Screening of Art Films, these restored films can be brought to audiences across the country, and the significance of restored films is here. If it is not screened, it is like a mummy. How old films like film heritage, how it has been restored and re-transformed into a public cultural product of contemporary society, I think is still a topic in front of us, and we must continue to explore. ”
It is reported that this film festival is the first full restoration of classic films launched by the All-China Federation of Arts, and it is also a market warm-up for the re-screening of old films. In the future, the Rare Film Exhibition will allow more and more domestic classic films to enter the public eye with a new look, so that precious old films can revitalize the industry.
Editor-in-Charge: Xia Yining
Proofreader: Shi Gong