This is a script reflecting the shooting of the first film in China. Through the front and back of the first film Dingjun Mountain shot by Fengtai Photo Studio in 1905, it shows the mellow customs of old Beijing in the early 20th century.After the year of Gengzi, the whole country sought change.In 1902, the first film was released in Beijing. Foreigners brought the film, projector and generator to the Qianmen Grinding Factory to rent the Blessing and Longevity Hall.The new forms of entertainment have attracted people of all ages in the capital, but quite a few people are dismissive of them and think they are inferior stuff.Tan Xinpei, the "king of the music world", and the boss Tan also held the same attitude.
Ren Jingfeng, the manager of Fengtai Photo Studio, a fan of Tan Pai and a ticket friend, urged Tan Xinpei again and again to "leave your stuff to future generations, what is a play! What is a corner!" Ren Jingfeng's sincerity moved Tan Xinpei. Finally, he took a picture of Dingjun Mountain in the open-air square of the middle courtyard of Fengtai Photo Studio, completing a combination of a new art form and ancient Chinese art,At the same time, it may also lay a certain foundation for Chinese film to embark on the path of "shadow play" (the same as Merime's combination of film and drama).
Liu Zhonglun and Ren Jingfeng, the main characters of this play, did not realize that what they had done had made the first Chinese film. They just worked silently, and with their love for a new form of entertainment - activity photography, they unconsciously completed the first Chinese film.Many human activities are just like this!
We believe that this play should be a film full of human feelings. It does not win by the complexity of the story, the twists and turns of the plot, and the ups and downs of the characters' fate. Instead, it tells the story of the old Beijinger with a warm human feelings, a simple feeling, a rich atmosphere, and a smart humor;There is also a general feeling of nostalgia, and also wants to change the impression of modern China's complete ignorance and backwardness that Westerners have in mind or that was caused by previous Chinese films.
However, it is not to say that "everything traditional is beautiful", but to maintain an objective and calm attitude, not to feel inferior or arrogant.
Taiwan (1998) Excellent Film Script Award Dingjun Mountain
