Chinese love story to set the ball rolling

Chinese love story to set the ball rolling

ANNU MATHEW

Zhang Yimonu’s ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ is to set the ball rolling at this year’s International Film Festival of  Kerala. The 114-minute long inaugural film will be screened at the Nishagandhi auditorium today.

A scene from ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’

  Set in the background of the cultural revolution of China in the 60s and 70s, Under the Hawthorn Tree is a romantic drama that portrays the theme of love and innocence in a world that runs after material desires. Adapted from the popular 2007 novel Hawthorn Tree Forever by Ai Mi which was in turn based on a true story, the movie showcases a marvelous performance by  the female lead Zhou Dongyu.

  In a small village in Yichang City, China, love blossoms between a beautiful high school student Zhang and the young handsome Lao San during the continuous education programme near the end of the cultural revolution.

  On her arrival with a group in Xiping village, Jingqiu, the daughter of a political prisoner is lodged with the family of the village head. She sees a hawthorn tree called the Tree of Heroes which was said to be fed by the blood of Chinese martyrs executed by the Japanese during World War II. At the house where she stays, Jingqiu meets geology student Sun Jianxin a.k.a. Lao San who is the son of a high ranking military officer. Before long, she is drawn to his mature and respectable nature.

  The two come from different economic backgrounds and pretty soon Jingqiu faces the inevitable task of having to choose between her love for Lao San and her duty to her family.

  What makes the movie stand out is its depiction of love in all its purity. The whole film radiates innocence. According to Zhang Yimou, a fifth generation film maker of China, Under the Hawthorn Tree will help people to seek the true meaning of love. The film is indeed an eye-opener as to the real sacrificial nature of love to which the tree stands testimony.

  The film which was premiered in the 15^th Pusan International Film Festival on October 7, 2010 soon gained much popularity in China and Lao San, gained the nickname “qingsheng” meaning  “prince of lovers”. It was also screened in major  international festivals like the Venice Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival and the movie won several awards and recognition.

  Zhou Dongyu as Jing Qiu and Shawn Dou as Lao San (Jianxin) give memorable performances. This touching tale of unfulfilled love is sure to leave the audiences with a pang in their hearts.

  The Chinese director Zhang Yimou is noted for his films like Red Sorghum(1987), Raise the Red Lantern(1991) and Curse of the Golden Flower(2006).