Under the Hawthorn Tree (film)
Encyclopedia
The Love of the Hawthorn Tree is a movie directed by the Chinese director Zhang Yimou
. It was adapted from the popular 2007 novel Hawthorn Tree Forever by Ai Mi, which was based on a true story, and was set during the Cultural Revolution
. The film was released in Mainland China
(September 2010), Hong Kong
(November 2010) and in Singapore
(February 2011).
, Hubei Province, China, this film is about a pure love that develops between a beautiful high school student, Zhang Jingqiu and a handsome young prospector named Lao San. Jingqiu is one of the "educated youth" sent to be "re-educated" through work in the countryside under a directive from Chairman Mao Zedong
.
She arrives with a group in Xiping village, in the Yangtze River
's Three Gorges region, where they are shown a hawthorn
tree called the Tree of Heroes which was reputedly nourished by the blood of Chinese martyrs executed by the Japanese during World War II
. Jingqiu is lodged with the family of village head, where she meets geology student Sun Jianxin (nicknamed Lao San), who also takes his meals at Zhang's home, and was drawn his responsible and honorable character.
Lao San's father held a high position in the military, but his mother committed suicide four years ago after being branded as a "rightist". Jing's father was also a political prisoner somewhere in China and her mother, branded as a "capitalist
", was reduced to menial work to support their family. Following the political persecution of her father, Jing Qiu lived with her mother and little siblings, working towards becoming a teacher to support her family.
Despite the fact that this could endanger the future of Jingqiu and her family, Jingqiu and Lao San fell in love and their relationship continues the following year. Lao San also promised to wait for her until she grew up. Jingqiu was torn between her feelings for Lao San and her filial duty to her family.
However, Lao San later developed leukaemia and forced himself to leave Jingqiu. Jing, without knowing about Lao San's deadly disease, was only reunited with him when he was dying in hospital. The film closed with Jingqiu tearfully calling the unconscious Lao San, repeatedly saying "I am Jingqiu, I am Jingqiu."
brought this story of heart-wrenching romance to the big screen, giving audiences the chance to experience the true meaning of unfaltering love.
on October 7, 2010. It was then released in Mainland China on September 15, 2010 and in Hong Kong on 11 November 2010. It was also released on 10 February 2011 in Singapore
cinemas.
and Hong Kong
. Shawn Dou
(窦骁) who played Laoshan, gained the nickname "qingsheng" meaning "prince of lovers".
According to Xinhua news agency, readers say that they're greatly touched by the purity of Jing Qiu's love in a time when the majority seem to go after material things.
website stated that "He renders it as something now tainted under the weight of age and ever-changing worlds. In an unbelievably delicate observance... Zhang expresses his view of innocence in a soft, almost feminine, approach. Also ... he successfully draws enticing portrayals of innocence from Zhou Dongyu and Dou Xiao. ... Zhang Yimou appears to reclaim his own innocence as a youthful creator. "
Zhang Yimou
Zhang Yimou is a Chinese film director, producer, writer and actor, and former cinematographer. He is counted amongst the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, having made his directorial debut in 1987 with Red Sorghum....
. It was adapted from the popular 2007 novel Hawthorn Tree Forever by Ai Mi, which was based on a true story, and was set during the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
. The film was released in Mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
(September 2010), Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
(November 2010) and in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
(February 2011).
Plot summary
Set during the end of China's Cultural Revolution in a small village in Yichang CityYichang
Yichang is a prefecture-level city located in Hubei province of the People's Republic of China. It is the second largest city in Hubei province after the province capital, Wuhan. The Three Gorges Dam is located within its administrative area, in Yiling District.-History:In ancient times Yichang...
, Hubei Province, China, this film is about a pure love that develops between a beautiful high school student, Zhang Jingqiu and a handsome young prospector named Lao San. Jingqiu is one of the "educated youth" sent to be "re-educated" through work in the countryside under a directive from Chairman Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution...
.
She arrives with a group in Xiping village, in the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
's Three Gorges region, where they are shown a hawthorn
Crataegus pinnatifida
Crataegus pinnatifida, also known as Chinese hawthorn or shānzhā , refers to a small to a medium-sized tree as well as the fruit of the tree. The fruit is bright red, 1.5 inches in diameter.-Culinary use:...
tree called the Tree of Heroes which was reputedly nourished by the blood of Chinese martyrs executed by the Japanese during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Jingqiu is lodged with the family of village head, where she meets geology student Sun Jianxin (nicknamed Lao San), who also takes his meals at Zhang's home, and was drawn his responsible and honorable character.
Lao San's father held a high position in the military, but his mother committed suicide four years ago after being branded as a "rightist". Jing's father was also a political prisoner somewhere in China and her mother, branded as a "capitalist
Capitalist roader
In Maoist thought, a capitalist roader or is a person or group who demonstrates a marked tendency to bow to pressure from Bourgeois forces and subsequently attempts to pull the Revolution in a capitalist direction....
", was reduced to menial work to support their family. Following the political persecution of her father, Jing Qiu lived with her mother and little siblings, working towards becoming a teacher to support her family.
Despite the fact that this could endanger the future of Jingqiu and her family, Jingqiu and Lao San fell in love and their relationship continues the following year. Lao San also promised to wait for her until she grew up. Jingqiu was torn between her feelings for Lao San and her filial duty to her family.
However, Lao San later developed leukaemia and forced himself to leave Jingqiu. Jing, without knowing about Lao San's deadly disease, was only reunited with him when he was dying in hospital. The film closed with Jingqiu tearfully calling the unconscious Lao San, repeatedly saying "I am Jingqiu, I am Jingqiu."
Cast
- Zhou DongyuZhou DongyuZhou Dongyu is a rising starlet Chinese actress, who gained recognition after appearing in Zhang Yimou's film The Love of the Hawthorn Tree. She is originally from Hebei Province, and had no acting experience prior to taking on the role...
as Jing Qiu - Shawn DouShawn DouShawn Dou is a Chinese actor. He won recognition soon after Zhang Yimou's movie The Love of the Hawthorn Tree in 2010 and received numerous awards with co-star Zhou Dongyu.-Life:...
as Lao San (Jianxin) - Xi Meijuan
- Li XuejianLi XuejianLi Xuejian is a Chinese actor. He is best known for his role as Song Jiang in The Water Margin, a 1997 television series adapted from the Chinese classical novel of the same title. Li has also played the roles of military personnel in television dramas set in the Chinese Civil War...
- Chen Taisheng
- Rina Sa
- Lü Liping
- Sun Haiying
History
This film is based on the novel Hawthorn Tree Forever which was written by renowned author Aimi and was inspired by the real-life story of her friend, Jing. Touched by the emotionally charged story, director Zhang YimouZhang Yimou
Zhang Yimou is a Chinese film director, producer, writer and actor, and former cinematographer. He is counted amongst the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, having made his directorial debut in 1987 with Red Sorghum....
brought this story of heart-wrenching romance to the big screen, giving audiences the chance to experience the true meaning of unfaltering love.
Release
The film debuted in the 15th Pusan International Film FestivalPusan International Film Festival
Busan International Film Festival , held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan , South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia...
on October 7, 2010. It was then released in Mainland China on September 15, 2010 and in Hong Kong on 11 November 2010. It was also released on 10 February 2011 in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
cinemas.
Public
Director Zhang said this movie may help people under the influence of a money-driven society to pay attention to pure love and to seek the true meaning of love. The movie earned popularity in both Mainland ChinaMainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. Shawn Dou
Shawn Dou
Shawn Dou is a Chinese actor. He won recognition soon after Zhang Yimou's movie The Love of the Hawthorn Tree in 2010 and received numerous awards with co-star Zhou Dongyu.-Life:...
(窦骁) who played Laoshan, gained the nickname "qingsheng" meaning "prince of lovers".
According to Xinhua news agency, readers say that they're greatly touched by the purity of Jing Qiu's love in a time when the majority seem to go after material things.
Critical reception
Mypaper said that "Dou and Zhou bring a touching believability to this tale of young love" and rated this film 3.5 stars. Pusan International Film FestivalPusan International Film Festival
Busan International Film Festival , held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan , South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia...
website stated that "He renders it as something now tainted under the weight of age and ever-changing worlds. In an unbelievably delicate observance... Zhang expresses his view of innocence in a soft, almost feminine, approach. Also ... he successfully draws enticing portrayals of innocence from Zhou Dongyu and Dou Xiao. ... Zhang Yimou appears to reclaim his own innocence as a youthful creator. "
Film festivals
| Film Festival | Date of ceremony | Category | Participants/Recipients | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15th Pusan International Film Festival Pusan International Film Festival Busan International Film Festival , held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan , South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia... |
7–15 October 2010 | Opening Film (International Premiere) | Under the Hawthorn Tree | Participant |
| 30th Hawaii International Film Festival Hawaii International Film Festival The Hawaii International Film Festival is a film festival held in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It was started in 1981 by Jeannette Paulson Hereniko and has been held annually in the fall for two weeks... |
14–24 October 2010 | Opening Night Film | Under the Hawthorn Tree | Participant |
| 7th Hong Kong Asian Film Festival Hong Kong Asian Film Festival Hong Kong Asian Film Festival is a film festival held annually in Hong Kong. Started in 2004 as an indie film festival, it has since grown into a large film festival known in Hong Kong.... |
8 November 2010 | Closing Film | Under the Hawthorn Tree | Participant |
| 61st Berlin International Film Festival Berlin International Film Festival The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978... |
10–20 February 2011 | New Generation | Under the Hawthorn Tree | Participant |
| 5th Asian Film Awards Asian Film Awards The Asian Film Awards are presented annually by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society to recognize excellence of film professionals in the film industries of Asian cinema.-History:... |
21 March 2011 | Best Newcomer | Zhou Dongyu Zhou Dongyu Zhou Dongyu is a rising starlet Chinese actress, who gained recognition after appearing in Zhang Yimou's film The Love of the Hawthorn Tree. She is originally from Hebei Province, and had no acting experience prior to taking on the role... |
|
| Best Editing | Meng Peicong | |||