History of Chinese Opera Films

Author: Gao Xiaojian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: A pioneer of Chinese cinema, bridging traditional opera and film; promoting the prosperity of opera films under the policy of "flourishing of all schools"; exploring the aesthetic connotations and cultural origins of opera films; the breakthroughs and losses of opera films in the new era. Chinese opera is the subject of Chinese opera films—such as opera stage documentaries, opera art films, and opera feature films, etc.—granting opera art with various cinematic elements while simultaneously drawing artistic, cultural, and inspirational influences from the traditional opera to enrich the creation of film stories and other categories of films. This is a two-way outcome and. In this regard, most filmmakers, consciously or unconsciously, reflect this. As a history of Chinese opera films, this book has many distinctive features, but like any historical work, it also has shortcomings and limitations. For example, its historical materials are not yet fully comprehensive, and some statements lack sufficient depth and thoroughness. This calls for the author's continued effort in the future to strive for further improvement. As the saying goes, "A book reflects its author." Xiaojian is diligent and solid in his academic pursuits, never seeking attention or indulging in pretense or hype. For readers and scholars who appreciate Chinese opera films, this book is worth reading.