An old film becomes a new play
A theater performance based on a 1937 hit movie about the lives of four young people, who struggle against a backdrop of chaos and war, will take the stage at Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts, Chen Nan reports.
It shows how their lives change amid social chaos during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). They join the army to fight for their country.
Chinese actor Zhao Dan and actress Bai Yang played the lead roles in the film.
Shen (1904-40) grew up in Hangzhou and studied art and theater in Tokyo.
After returning to China, he was involved in theatrical production and taught at an art school in Shanghai.
He made his directorial debut in 1933 and directed a few films before leaving Shanghai for Chongqing in 1939. He died in 1940 at age 36, but the films he left behind became classics of Chinese cinema.
"The movie is a romantic comedy, which also reflects society back then. The young people in the movie relate to today's young people, who pursue their dreams and love," Huang says.
Huang's adaptation combines the original plot of the movie with new stories. He also filmed the actors' rehearsals, and the footage will be shared with the play's audiences.
"It'll be a fun take on the classic movie. Audiences will enjoy something authentic from the film and something new," Huang adds.
