''September'' is a 1984

Chinese film The cinema of China is one of three distinct historical threads of Chinese-language cinema together with the cinema of Hong Kong and the cinema of Taiwan. Cinema was introduced in China in 1896 and the first Chinese film, '' Dingjun Mountain'' ...

directed by

Tian Zhuangzhuang Tian Zhuangzhuang (; born April 1952 in Beijing) is a Chinese film director, producer and actor. Tian was born to an influential actor and actress in China. Following a short stint in the military, Tian began his artistic career first as an ama ...

. Though not his first film as director, ''September'' is considered Tian's first major feature."Tian Zhuangzhuang: Stealing Horses and Flying Kites" i
''Speaking in Images: Interviews With Contemporary Chinese Filmmakers''
p. 59. . Google Book Search. Retrieved 2009-03-01. The film is also known by the title ''In September''.

Premise

The film tells the story of a young teacher who, during the first seventeen years of the

People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

, approaches the teaching of her students with a

humanistic Humanism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the individual and social potential and agency of human beings. It considers human beings the starting point for serious moral and philosophical inquiry. The meaning of the term "humani ...

philosophy, which leads to problems with authorities.

Production

''September'' was based on a screenplay by the writer Yan Tingting who was contracted with the Kunming Film Studio. After seeing some of Tian's work (notably 1982's ''Red Elephant'', which Tian had co-directed), Yan sent his screenplay to the director, who at the time was working with Ling Zifeng as an assistant director on the older man's film, '' The Border Town''. Tian liked the story and particularly its humanistic portrayal of the years in which Tian himself had grown up, but he was immediately turned off by the film's second half, which glorified the

Communist Party of China The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), officially the Communist Party of China (CPC), is the founding and sole ruling party of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, the CCP emerged victorious in the Chinese Civil ...

. Taking on the project, Tian changed parts of Yan's screenplay, including the ending. These changes, however, were seen by the film's producers as a negative portrayal of the People's Republic's earliest years. As a result, Tian's inserted scenes were cut leading the director to feel that much of his vision was ultimately compromised.Berry, p. 60. In contrast to his earlier works, ''September'' also marked Tian Zhuangzhuang's first official run-in with Chinese censors, although Chinese television had refused to air his short film, ''Our Corner'' which he co-directed while still in the Beijing Film Academy.

References

External links

* (incorrectly lists screenwriter Yan Tingting as director)
''September''
at the Chinese Movie Database (incorrectly lists screenwriter Yan Tingting as director) {{DEFAULTSORT:September (1984 Film) 1984 films 1984 drama films Chinese drama films 1980s Mandarin-language films Films directed by Tian Zhuangzhuang