Event Archive

Wednesday, February 15th 2006
To Live with Geetha J.


Geeta J.

The post-film discussion for Zhang Yimou's To Live was introduced by Geetha J., chair of BIFS who explained Yimou's film in relation to other films of the 'Fifth Generation'. She explained the historical focus of the films on the middle years of 20th Century Cina which saw the Communist Civil War, the "Great Leap Forward", and the Cultural Revolution. Geetha highlighted the importance of colour, especially red in Yimou's films.

Much of the symbolism was discussed, such as the communal melting down of the villagers possessions to make munitions. The husband's gambling was discussed in relation to capitalism.

Also, a heated moral debate rose around the mass deaths that occurred within the decades covered in the film.

Film Notes

Director: Zhang Yimou. China 1994. 125 mins with guest speaker Charlie Hore

Duke Of York's PictureHouse, 6.30pm.

To Live will be introduced by Charlie Hore, who will also lead the post film discussion. A socialist writer and activist, Charlie has written extensively on the history, politics and culture of China, including the films of Zhang Yimou.

The underlying central theme of the film To Live is in the title itself: To Live! Zhang Yimou's sixth feature takes us through all the struggles and difficulties, joy and beauty of everyday life during the mid decades of the 20th century in China. The grand epic story of both tragedy and triumph of China’s Communist Civil War, the "Great Leap Forward", and the Cultural Revolution has been a pet theme with the ‘fifth generation’ filmmakers of China. But To Live is very different from, say Farewell My Concubine for which Yimou was the cinematographer: it keeps away from the epic scale to give a more intimate and personal perspective to the said historical changes.

One of the most famous and controversial film-makers from China, Zhang Yimou has remarked in an interview with Derek Malcolm: "I think my character is a difficult mixture of wild rebelliousness and deep-seated caution. Because of my caution, I don’t do some of the things I ought to. Because of my rebelliousness, I get into a lot of trouble." Even after winning two major prizes at the Cannes Festival, Zhang Yimou was at first forbidden from making films in China for five years after To Live.

Apart from visual lushness that has marked him as a cinematographer’s director, all of Zhang Yimou’s films have deep allegorical references, symbolic use of the colour red and a strong female lead. To Live that came after Red Sorghum, Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern and The Story of Qiu Ju features the much acclaimed actress Gong Li. The recent famous on and off-screen parting with his muse and actress Gong Li has added to the lore about Zhang Yimou who has shot into mainstream fame with his film Hero and House of Flying Daggers.