Film and Life of China after 1949

Prof. Yali PeiLiterature School

Shaanxi Normal University

Chapter One

White Hair Girl and the Establishment of the Narrative Model of New China’s Cinema

1. The Story

positive negative

Xi’er / Da Chun Huang Shiren

The people Mu Renzhi

2. Figures / Xi’er（喜儿）

2. Figures / Dachun（大春）

2. Figures / Huang Shiren（黄世仁）

2. Figures / Yang Bailao（杨白劳）

2. Figures / Zhao Dashu（赵大叔）

3. The presentation of the PlotPeaceful life

Bad-guys break-in

Xi’er is Raped

Dachun Joined the Red Army

The protagonist is rescued

Peaceful life

Bad guys break-in

Xi’er was raped

Join the Red Amy

3. Summary of the Plot

Liberation of Chinese low class people from the oppression;

Joining the Red Army is the motivation of the new China’s movies’ story which had the theme of liberation and standing up as a master

4. Story’s organization

Breaking out of the peace life

—suffering of the protagonist

—protagonist was rescued

—the peace life comes back

5. Manners

The story and the music are both coming from Northern China

There are also some opponents coming from western art, like Uncle Zhao’s songs belong to the modern opera, the view in the mountain is Gothic style.

Gothic style

6 Further issue to talk about beliefs

Grandma temple

Buddhism

Grandmother Temple

7 Resources and further readings White Hair Girl (movie). Creative playwright and

director: Shui Hua; Star: Tian Hua, Chen Qiang. 1950, Northeast China Studio

The Red Detachment of Women (movie). Creative playwright: Liang Xin; Director: Xie Jin. 1961, Shanghai Studio

Thanks!