The Song of the Phoenix (2016)(百鸟朝凤) was the last film completed by Wu Tian Ming (吳天明), one of the seminal figures in modern Chinese cinema. Although the film is titled "The Song of the Phoenix" for western release, a more accurate translation of the title would be "A Hundred Birds and One Phoenix",which is more literary and also reflects what the film is about : the imperative of integrity, in art. The film is a lovingly observed evocation of traditional rural life in North China in times of change. Although the script is based on a novel by Xiao Jiang Hong, the name of the young apprentce is Yu Tian Meng (游天鸣) not so far different from Wu Tian Ming, who was exiled after the Tian An Men massacres, but allowed to return after the later reforms. "A Hundred Birds and One Phoenix " also reflects the aesthetic of the souna, the ancient blown instrument played by Old Master Jiao San Yie, who learned from many generations of masters before him. The souna evokes the sounds of Nature, especially the cries of birds in the fields, reedbeds and mountains in the area, and thus has cosmological significance. Thus its use in communal occasions, such as weddings and funerals, as well ss private reflection.
.
A father and son, from ther "Earth" village trudge up to Jiao San Yie's house in "Water" village. The father wants his son to learn the souna, but the Master isn't impressed, and the boy doesn't want to stay. Father beats son in frustration. Son is furious, but comforts father when he falls and is hurt. Later, the Master says that was the moment he decided to take the boy on, since his actions displayed emotional depth and strength of character. The Master makes the boy suck water up a long reed. This trains lungs and mouth muscles, but it's also mental discipline. Learning also involves living: helping in the fields, visiting family, marvelling at things like fireflies. After many months the younger apprentice Lan Yu gets to actually play the souna, but Tian Meng doesn't. Dejected he returns home and overhears his father talking proudly of him, so he goes back to the Master. Eventually he starts to play, too.
Part of the training means observing Nature, listening and learning from wild birds, imitating their songs on different sized souna. Eventually the boys are able to follow the master's troupe, and learn the cultural context. At a rich man's funeral, the Master's eight man band is hired, but the master won't play the Song of the Phoenix for any price. it's only for persons of exceptional moral value, who are not necessarily the rich and powerful. At last the Master decides to appoint his successor. before the assembled villagers, he explains. In twenty years, he's trained many good players but technical skills are not enough. A souna master must have the ability to move people : it is responsibility and heritage. He holds up the golden souna handed down from master to master for six generations. It's more than 300 years old. Then he hands his legacy to Tian Meng who's so shocked he can barely take it in. Poor Lan Yu, who was technically the better player. Artistry can't be measured by technique. Lan Yu later understands that Tian Meng got the accolade because he was a more determined personality.
Tian Meng takes over the business of the troupe, leading the other (older) players. They do a gig at the wedding of Tian Meng's schoolfriend, who's struck it rich. The Master recounts days when the troupe would be given gifts like wine, and ceremonial chairs But Tian Meng knows his hosts weren't interested in the music, only in money. Times are changing. Tian Meng's band plays at another wedding, where the family's so rich they hire a western band, electric guitar and pop singer. Tian Meng, supported by the Master, retaliates by playing a souna tune, but the western band drowns them out with the Radetsky March. The local wide boys beat up the souna players and smash the Master's ancient souna. there's no work now for traditional bands, and the players have gone on to other jobs. Even Tian Meng's mother scolds him and tells him to get a proper job. Chief Dou of Fire Village dies . Though deaf in life, he wanted a souna band. The Master shames some of the old troupe to return, because the dead elder was a war hero and good man, and starts to play the Song of the Phoenix, but stops because he's unwell.
The Master has lung cancer, but it's too advanced to be treated. People from the government want Tian Meng to go to Xian to record souna music for posterity. Coughing in pain, the Master insists that Tian Meng do so. So Tian Meng heads to the city and meets Lan Yu, who's now a construction worker, married to Tian Meng's sister. Life's easier in town, but Tian Meng hears a lone souna player, begging for tips, and knows what he has to do. When Tian Meng goes back, the Master is dead, buried in a mound grave. Now, Tian Meng plays the Song of the Phoenix, the sound of the souna singing out from the grave site, over the mountain, into the valley and river which the Old Master had loved so dearly. No-one is there to listen, apart from the Master's faithful dog (who used to carry meals to him as he worked in the fields) An incredibly moving performance. The eulogy isn't just for the master but honours the whole souna heritage and the culture behind it. 
No comments:
Post a Comment