fable

Lia 2022-01-26 08:46:31

Today is the second time to watch "The Big Red Lantern Hanging High", with Qian in the dormitory. Removing the shock of first meeting a year ago, I can now better think about the benefits of this film. What I like most is its concise narrative style. The text of the fable is always very refined, not to mention the political fable, this kind of concealment and reservation also makes it wonderful. The point is to stop, not to render, and rely entirely on the scene scheduling, camera language, music and sound effects to create a sense of depression. The application of long shots and fixed scenes naturally substitutes the audience into the narrative, as if the story happened around him, which is the real daily life.

All things are symbols. What does the lantern symbolize? Power, fame...all kinds of "things outside the body" that people are keen on (there is no money here, and the courtyard itself has no worries about food and clothing). The three wives are individuals with different personalities. They have weight and ambition. They may try their best to get these things, but what is missing is freedom-they cannot be "human" reasons. And this is exactly what was destined from the day they came to the courtyard. Choose money, give up freedom? Maybe. As for the eldest lady, she must have been brilliant, but now has to step back and become part of those old "rules" (see below).

The unseen master is also a highlight of the character setting: on the one hand, it allows the audience to focus on the fate of the individuals to be highlighted, and at the same time, it implies that an invisible (invisible) force is manipulating their fate. . (Organization? System? State machine?) This force loves the new, hates the old, and is insatiable. When you think about it, it will caress you and give you a little benefit, just like treating cats and dogs. You can be coquettish and angry, but you must not betray. Perhaps reminiscing about the past or even yearning for the outside world is tacit consent, but once you take substantial action, what awaits you is "blocking the lights", which is the trial of the dead man's house.

The role of the maid Yan'er is somewhat special. Her status is not equal to that of other wives. She has no power and no culture. But she has a personality, loves face, and is scheming. She calculated and pursued the same things as the wives. In the end, because he refused to admit his mistake, he froze to death on the snow, and the ending was just as tragic. Opening the door and seeing patched lanterns all over the house is the most unexpected plot in the entire film. When I think about it, it is so real and sad. Maybe her fate is closer to ordinary people.

"Rule" is probably the most repeated line. There are so many bizarre rules "passed down from the ancestors". Some people guard it for granted. More people become its victims at first, and then use it to harm others. It's like being unaccustomed to hammering feet and lighting lamps at first, and then becoming attached to it (think of Songlian and Yan'er, the expressions on their feet when they are immersed in hammering fantasies).

Also worth mentioning is the music sound effects of the film. The sound of hammering feet lingering in the four courtyards was urgent and strange, as if it was knocking on the hearts of the audience. The music in the whole film is small and refined, and the placement is also remarkable. Mei Shan's several arias either evoke memories of the past, or reflect the sadness of reality, all of which are vividly expressed. On the empty roof, or the narrow passage of the courtyard, a coquettish woman in a costume sings the tune of the past... What kind of artistic conception. And the female chorus surrounding Songlian and Yan'er, a very simple Jingkun tune, got faster and faster, and then stopped abruptly. With the inevitable tragedy, what could be more appropriate?

Siheyuan, a closed world. Lanterns are lit or extinguished, people "win" or fail, attack or retreat, and scenes of tragedy are staged here. From winter to summer, new actors continue to join the stage (note that there is no "spring" here). However, everyone is confined to this oppressive space, unable to escape or walk away. The shock of death is always strong. However, Song Lian did not die, but wandered around the Chen family compound day and night like a ghost. But whether she was crazy or had an epiphany in the end is unclear.

Qian only summed up one point: "Don't marry a rich man, you will suffer too much." Haha, it's an interesting idea.

http://fortune.512j.com/cheryl/?p=171

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Extended Reading
  • Keven 2022-03-25 09:01:21

    Su Tong's wives and concubines are in groups. This photographic composition is really artistic

  • Misty 2022-03-28 09:01:12

    Extremely depressing, the atmosphere of ghosts and spirits is rendered, the use of Chinese elements is consummate, and the intentional expression is poignant and desperate. Better than "Alive", but not as good as "Farewell My Concubine" overall. Laomouzi, looking forward to your Jinling 13 hairpins this year...

Raise the Red Lantern quotes

  • The Third Concubine: Good or bad, it's all playacting. If you act well, you can fool other people; if you do it badly, you can only fool yourself, and when you can't even fool yourself, you just can fool the ghosts.

  • Yan'er: Who are you?

    Housekeeper: Fourth mistress, please come inside.

    Yan'er: [losing her cool] So you're the fourth mistress!

    [Yan'er rudely pulls the water bowl away from Songlian and puts clothes in it]

    Songlian: Yes! I am the fourth mistress. Bring my suitcase inside please.