September (1984 film)
Encyclopedia
September is a 1984 Chinese film
directed by the fifth generation filmmaker Tian Zhuangzhuang
. Though not his first film as director, September is considered Tian's first major feature. The film is also known by the title In September.
The film tells the story about a young teacher in the first seventeen years of the People's Republic of China
who approaches the teaching of her students with a humanistic
philosophy, an approach which leads to problems with authorities.
Tian liked the story and particularly its humanistic portrayal of the years in which Tian himself had grown up, but he was immediately turned off by the film's second half, which glorified the Communist Party of China
. Taking on the project, Tian changed parts of Yan's screenplay, including the ending. These changes, however, were seen by the film's producers as a negative portrayal of the People's Republic's earliest years. As a result, Tian's inserted scenes were cut leading the director to feel that much of his vision was ultimately compromised.
In contrast to his earlier works, September also marked Tian Zhuangzhuang's first official run-in with Chinese censors, although Chinese television had refused to air his short film, Our Corner which he co-directed while still in the Beijing Film Academy
.
Cinema of China
The Chinese-language cinema has three distinct historical threads: Cinema of Hong Kong, Cinema of China, and Cinema of Taiwan. Since 1949 the cinema of mainland China has operated under restrictions imposed by the Communist Party of China's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television and...
directed by the fifth generation filmmaker Tian Zhuangzhuang
Tian Zhuangzhuang
Tian Zhuangzhuang is a Chinese film director and producer.Tian was born to an influential actor and actress in China. Following a short stint in the military, Tian began his artistic career first as an amateur photographer and then as an assistant cinematographer at the Beijing Agricultural Film...
. Though not his first film as director, September is considered Tian's first major feature. The film is also known by the title In September.
The film tells the story about a young teacher in the first seventeen years of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
who approaches the teaching of her students with a humanistic
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
philosophy, an approach which leads to problems with authorities.
Production
September was based on a screenplay by the writer Yan Tingting who was contracted with the Kunming Film Studio. After seeing some of Tian's work (notably 1982's Red Elephant, which Tian had co-directed), Yan sent his screenplay to the director, who at the time was working with Ling Zifeng as an assistant director on the older man's film, The Border Town.Tian liked the story and particularly its humanistic portrayal of the years in which Tian himself had grown up, but he was immediately turned off by the film's second half, which glorified the Communist Party of China
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
. Taking on the project, Tian changed parts of Yan's screenplay, including the ending. These changes, however, were seen by the film's producers as a negative portrayal of the People's Republic's earliest years. As a result, Tian's inserted scenes were cut leading the director to feel that much of his vision was ultimately compromised.
In contrast to his earlier works, September also marked Tian Zhuangzhuang's first official run-in with Chinese censors, although Chinese television had refused to air his short film, Our Corner which he co-directed while still in the Beijing Film Academy
Beijing Film Academy
Beijing Film Academy is a coeducational state-run higher education institution in Beijing, China. The film school is the largest institution specialised in the tertiary education for film and television production in Asia...
.
External links
(incorrectly lists screenwriter Yan Tingting as director)- September at the Chinese Movie Database (incorrectly lists screenwriter Yan Tingting as director)