The Big Parade (1986 film)
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''The Big Parade'' () is a 1986 Chinese film directed by
Chen Kaige Chen Kaige (; born 12 August 1952) is a Chinese film director and a leading figure of the fifth generation of Chinese cinema.Berry, Michael (2002). "Chen Kaige: Historical Revolution and Cinematic Rebellion" in Speaking in Images: Interviews wit ...
. It is the story of a tough
drill sergeant A drill instructor is a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces, fire department, or police forces with specific duties that vary by country. Foot drill, military step, and marching are typically taught by drill instructors. Australia Austr ...
and his raw recruits, and was photographed by
Zhang Yimou Zhang Yimou (; born 2 April 1950) is a Chinese film director, producer, writer, actor and former cinematographer.Tasker, Yvonne (2002). "Zhang Yimou" i''Fifty Contemporary Filmmakers'' Routledge Publishing, p. 412. . Google Book Search. Retriev ...
. Today, the film stands somewhat in the shadows to Chen Kaige's better-known works, including his directorial debut ''
Yellow Earth ''Yellow Earth'' () is a 1984 Chinese drama film. This film is telling a story of a young, village girl who bravely resists old-dated customs and searches for freedom. It was the directorial debut for Chen Kaige. The film's notable cinematography ...
'' and the Palme d'Or winning '' Farewell, My Concubine''.


Background

''The Big Parade'' is often seen as an exploration of the relationship of
collectivism Collectivism may refer to: * Bureaucratic collectivism, a theory of class society whichto describe the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin * Collectivist anarchism, a socialist doctrine in which the workers own and manage the production * Collectiv ...
versus
individualism Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology and social outlook that emphasizes the intrinsic worth of the individual. Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and to value independence and self-reli ...
.Zhou Xuelin (2007).
Young Rebels in Contemporary Chinese Cinema
'. Hong Kong University Press, p. 73. . Google Book Search. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
At the time, however, some western critics, including the ''New York Times'', took the film at face value, seeing it as propagandist and describing it as a "boot camp" film. The ''New York Times'', in particular, derided the film as a "Recruiting Poster for Collective Action." If critics felt that this was merely China's newest propaganda film, this was due in part to the heavy hand of the Chinese Film Bureau. Originally, Chen had not shot an actual parade to conclude his film, only obscure silhouettes of soldiers against a sunset, an artistic decision that shocked "both army and censors." Even forcing the director to insert more traditional imagery, censors nevertheless withdrew the film from the 1987
Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Festival (; french: link=no, Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (') and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films o ...
without explanation. Despite its apparent support of collectivism, some scholars have noted a more ambiguous subtext to the film, suggesting that the film's imagery is less simplistic than such early reviews suggested. As one scholar writes, Chen explores the relationship between the collective and the individual, but wants to leave the relationship ambiguous. Another Chinese film scholar,
Zhang Yingjin Zhang may refer to: Chinese culture, etc. * Zhang (surname) (張/张), common Chinese surname ** Zhang (surname 章), a rarer Chinese surname * Zhang County (漳县), of Dingxi, Gansu * Zhang River (漳河), a river flowing mainly in Henan * ''Z ...
, also sees a subtext of criticism of the Chinese notion of its own nationhood, even as the film's rhetoric veers towards the propagandist.Zhang Yingjin (1997), "From 'Minority Film' to 'Minority Discourse': Questions of Nationhood and Ethnicity in Chinese Cinema" in '' Transnational Chinese Cinemas: Identity, Nationhood, Gender''.
University of Hawaii Press A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, the ...
, p
94
. Google Book Search. Retrieved 2009-01-02.


Cinematography

One aspect of the film that is not in dispute, however, is
Zhang Yimou Zhang Yimou (; born 2 April 1950) is a Chinese film director, producer, writer, actor and former cinematographer.Tasker, Yvonne (2002). "Zhang Yimou" i''Fifty Contemporary Filmmakers'' Routledge Publishing, p. 412. . Google Book Search. Retriev ...
's photography. The ''New York Times'' wrote upon the film's American screening in 1988 that it was " hang'sphotography that lifts ''The Big Parade'' out of the rudely fashioned trench of its story." Zhang would go on to become a major film director himself, directing his debut, '' Red Sorghum'', in 1987.


References


External links

* *
''The Big Parade''
at the Chinese Movie Database {{DEFAULTSORT:Big Parade, The 1986 films 1986 drama films Films set in Beijing Films directed by Chen Kaige 1980s Mandarin-language films Chinese drama films