Behind the Scenes of Chinese Cinema 1905-2005

Author: Liu Shu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: The Untold Stories Behind Chinese Cinema tells the little-known behind-the-scenes tales of beloved classic films in China's film industry, offering readers an insightful read that blends storytelling, literature, and factual accounts. — Xie Tieli, Honorary Chairman of the China Film
The Untold Stories Behind Chinese Cinema is rich in content, well-organized in historical records, and based on solid interviews, making it a work of authenticity, documentation, and artistry. — Jiang Ping, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Film Directors' Association
Pop songs become popular for several reasons: first, their lyrics are simple yet melodious; second, they are easy to sing along to and spread quickly; most importantly, they resonate with many listeners' hearts, evoking emotional connections. As movies, which are widely enjoyed in people's daily lives, are much the same. And classic films that have deeply rooted in the minds of audiences are even more so.
To commemorate the 110th anniversary of the birth of world cinema and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Chinese cinema, in response to the urgent needs of loyal film enthusiasts, audiences, and the cultural market at home and abroad, this book is titled The Untold Stories Behind Chinese Cinema. It introduces a selection of highly acclaimed classic films from China's film industry, chosen for their significant influence and appeal among the people. The author explores these films from different perspectives, delving into historical depths through the genre of topical documentary literature, blending storytelling, literary quality, and historical facts to reveal the untold stories behind them.
Thus, in this extensive book, readers will find an opening chapter featuring beloved old film posters to succinctly review the evolution of Chinese cinema over the past century. Following that, the narrative jumps through time and space, step by step, film by film, to recount the profound connections between many famous films in New China and the atmosphere of their eras, as well as their close legacy. The author has selected several representative works of Southern Chinese cinema. For example, the film Undercover in Canton is based on the real-life "Guangzhou Incident" of the time; the unfortunate fate of The South China Tide after winning the unpublicized award for the third People's Film "Hundred Flowers" award; the emergence and widespread influence of several distinctive "Southern Films"; the turbulent birth processes of A Thousand Miles Against the Wind and The Tide Sweeps the Sands from the Zhuhai Film Studio; the large-scale musical and dance epic Red Dawn and its inseparable "trilogy"; as well as introductions to the commemorative films for the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic, the influential "22 Great Stars" of New China, the chronicles of director Xie Jin during two special periods, seven remade films during the absurd years, and the "Six Peking Opera and Two Dance" following the "Eight Model Revolutions." Additionally, the book covers the rise of the world-famous White-Haired Girl, Red Detachment of Women, The Sandbag Lake, and The Red Army Women from their inception; the political struggles that ensnared the operetta film The Gardener's Song; the diverse life paths of the main actors in The Sentry Under the Neon Lights; the lifelong regrets of uncompleted films by celebrities; the artistic portrayal of Lu Xun's novels on screen; the charming screen character "Li Xiangyang" and the interesting story behind the remake of The Battle in the Plains; and the unique scenes of the distinctive female spies in the beloved anti-spionage films, a hallmark of China's dubbed film industry.
The author's perspective shifts to the unforgettable anti-spionage films, showcasing the diverse and vivid images of female spies, a distinctive feature of China's dubbed film industry. The book presents a wide range of topics, detailed where needed and concise where appropriate, like streams merging into a vast river.
Time is like a golden whip, memory is like a rope, and the old films that forever linger in the hearts of audiences are the genuine bonds connecting filmmakers and loyal fans. This unbreakable red thread ties our hearts and love together.
To gather is fate, and true affection never changes!