Shangguan Yunzhu
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Shangguan Yunzhu (; 2 March 1920 – 23 November 1968) was a Chinese actress active from the 1940s to the 1960s. She was considered one of the most talented and versatile actresses in China, and was named one of the 100 best actors of the 100 years of Chinese cinema in 2005. Born Wei Junluo, she fled to Shanghai when her hometown
Jiangyin Jiangyin (, Jiangyin dialect: ) is a county-level city on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, and is administered by Wuxi, Jiangsu province. Jiangyin is one of the most important transport hubs on the Yangtze River, it is also one of the most d ...
was attacked by the Japanese during the
Second Sino-Japanese War The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) or War of Resistance (Chinese term) was a military conflict that was primarily waged between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. The war made up the Chinese theater of the wider Pacific Th ...
. In Shanghai she became a drama and film actress, and her career took off after the end of the war. She starred in several prominent leftist films such as '' Spring River Flows East'', ''
Crows and Sparrows ''Crows and Sparrows'' () is a 1949 Chinese film made by the left-leaning Kunlun Studios on the eve of the Communist victory, directed by Zheng Junli and scripted by Chen Baichen. Notable for its extremely critical view of corrupt Nationalist burea ...
'', and ''
Women Side by Side ''Women Side by Side'' (), also translated as ''Three Women'' and ''Female Fighters'', is a 1949 Chinese film directed by Chen Liting, made near the end of the Republic of China (1912–49), Republican era. It is Chen's most famous directorial wo ...
''. After the Communist victory in mainland China in 1949, her career was set back when her husband was embroiled in the anti-capitalist Five-anti Campaign, but she later portrayed a wide variety of characters in many films. Shangguan was married three times and had three children, but all her marriages ended in divorce. She was said to have had an affair with
Mao Zedong Mao Zedong pronounced ; also romanised traditionally as Mao Tse-tung. (26 December 1893 – 9 September 1976), also known as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary who was the founder of the People's Republic of China (PRC) ...
, for which she was severely persecuted by the followers of Mao's wife
Jiang Qing Jiang Qing (19 March 191414 May 1991), also known as Madame Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary, actress, and major political figure during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976). She was the fourth wife of Mao Zedong, the Chairman o ...
during the
Cultural Revolution The Cultural Revolution, formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, was a sociopolitical movement in the People's Republic of China (PRC) launched by Mao Zedong in 1966, and lasting until his death in 1976. Its stated goal ...
, leading to her suicide in November 1968.


Early life

Wei Junluo () was born in 1920 in the town of Changjing () in
Jiangyin Jiangyin (, Jiangyin dialect: ) is a county-level city on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, and is administered by Wuxi, Jiangsu province. Jiangyin is one of the most important transport hubs on the Yangtze River, it is also one of the most d ...
,
Jiangsu Jiangsu (; ; pinyin: Jiāngsū, Postal romanization, alternatively romanized as Kiangsu or Chiangsu) is an Eastern China, eastern coastal Provinces of the People's Republic of China, province of the China, People's Republic of China. It is o ...
, Republic of China. She also used the name Wei Yajun (). She was the fifth and youngest child of her parents. In 1936 she married Zhang Dayan (), an art teacher and a friend of her brother's, and soon gave birth to a son named Zhang Qijian () at the age of 17. After the outbreak of the
Second Sino-Japanese War The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) or War of Resistance (Chinese term) was a military conflict that was primarily waged between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. The war made up the Chinese theater of the wider Pacific Th ...
, the invading Japanese army attacked Jiangyin in November 1937, killing one of Wei's sisters in a bombing raid. She fled to
Shanghai Shanghai (; , , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ) is one of the four direct-administered municipalities of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The city is located on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the Huangpu River flow ...
with her family.


1940s

In Shanghai Wei found work at a photo studio owned by He Zuomin, a photographer for the
Mingxing Film Company Mingxing Film Company (), also known as the Star Motion Picture Company, was one of the largest production companies during the 1920s, and 1930s in the Republican era. Founded in Shanghai, the company lasted from 1922 until 1937 when it was close ...
. Influenced by the studio's many customers from the film industry, she became fascinated with acting. In 1940 she enrolled in a drama school and was employed by the
Xinhua Film Company The Xinhua or New China Film Company (), was one of the film studios to capitalize on the popularity of the leftist film movement in 1930s Shanghai, that had begun with the Mingxing and Lianhua studios. It is not related to the modern-day Xinhua Ne ...
after graduation. She adopted the name Shangguan Yunzhu suggested by the influential director
Bu Wancang Bu Wancang (July 1, 1900 – December 30, 1973), also known by his English name Richard Poh, was a prolific Chinese film director and screenwriter active between the 1920s and the 1960s. He was born in Anhui. Career Originally a member of the ...
. After successfully playing the female lead in
Cao Yu Cao Yu (, September 24, 1910 — December 13, 1996) was a Chinese playwright, often regarded as one of China's most important of the 20th century. His best-known works are ''Thunderstorm'' (1933), ''Sunrise'' (1936) and ''Peking Man'' (1940). ...
's stage play ''
Thunderstorm A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm or a lightning storm, is a storm characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere, known as thunder. Relatively weak thunderstorms are someti ...
'', Shangguan joined the Yihua Company and made her film debut in ''Fallen Rose'' in 1941. In 1942 Shangguan joined the Tianfeng Drama Society, where she met the playwright Yao Ke (). The next year Shangguan divorced Zhang Dayan and married Yao. In August 1944 she gave birth to a daughter named Yao Yao (). However, her new marriage was short-lived due to Yao's infidelity, and the couple divorced before their daughter turned two. Shangguan subsequently had a brief relationship with the actor Lan Ma (). In the post-war period, Shangguan Yunzhu played her first lead roles in ''Dream in Paradise'' directed by
Tang Xiaodan Tang Xiaodan (; 22 February 1910 – 21 January 2012) was a Chinese film director. In 1984, he won the Golden Rooster Award for Best Director. He was the father of painter Tang Muli and conductor Tang Muhai. Filmography This is a partial l ...
and ''
Long Live the Missus! ''Long Live the Missus!'' ( zh, t=太太萬歲, s=太太万岁, first=t; pinyin: Tàitai Wànsuì) is a 1947 Chinese comedy film known as one of the best comedies of the civil war era. The film was directed by Sang Hu ( 桑弧) with a screenplay wr ...
'' directed by Sang Hu. She then starred in several leftist films including '' Spring River Flows East'' (1947, directors
Cai Chusheng Cai Chusheng (January 12, 1906 – July 15, 1968) was a Chinese film director of the pre-Communist era, and was the first Chinese director to win an international film award at the Moscow International Film Festival. Best known for his progres ...
and
Zheng Junli Zheng Junli (December 6, 1911 – April 23, 1969) was a Chinese actor and director born in Shanghai and who rose to prominence in the golden age of Chinese Cinema. His films ''The Spring River Flows East'' and ''Crows and Sparrows'' are widely c ...
), '' Myriad of Lights'' (1948, director
Shen Fu Shen Fu (; 26 December 1763 – after 1825), courtesy name Sanbai (), was a Chinese writer of the Qing Dynasty, best known for his autobiography '' Six Records of a Floating Life''. Life Shen Fu was born in Changzhou (长洲, in Suzhou, Jian ...
), ''
Crows and Sparrows ''Crows and Sparrows'' () is a 1949 Chinese film made by the left-leaning Kunlun Studios on the eve of the Communist victory, directed by Zheng Junli and scripted by Chen Baichen. Notable for its extremely critical view of corrupt Nationalist burea ...
'' (1949, director Zheng Junli), and ''
Women Side by Side ''Women Side by Side'' (), also translated as ''Three Women'' and ''Female Fighters'', is a 1949 Chinese film directed by Chen Liting, made near the end of the Republic of China (1912–49), Republican era. It is Chen's most famous directorial wo ...
'' (1949, director
Chen Liting Chen Liting (; 20 October 1910 – 27 August 2013) was a Chinese playwright, drama and film director, screenwriter, and film theorist. He was one of the most prominent film directors and screenwriters in pre-Communist China, together with Shi ...
). Her masterful performances in these popular films brought her great fame and critical acclaim.


After 1949

After
Mao Zedong Mao Zedong pronounced ; also romanised traditionally as Mao Tse-tung. (26 December 1893 – 9 September 1976), also known as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary who was the founder of the People's Republic of China (PRC) ...
's communists won the
Chinese Civil War The Chinese Civil War was fought between the Kuomintang-led government of the Republic of China and forces of the Chinese Communist Party, continuing intermittently since 1 August 1927 until 7 December 1949 with a Communist victory on m ...
and established the People's Republic of China in 1949, Shangguan Yunzhu continued her acting career under the new government. In 1951 she married her third husband Cheng Shuyao (), manager of Shanghai's Lyceum Theatre. She gave birth to a son named Wei Ran (). However, Cheng Shuyao was soon embroiled in the Five-anti Campaign, a political campaign launched by Mao against the capitalist class in 1952. He was accused of embezzlement and confessed to the charges under pressure. Shangguan decided to divorce Cheng; their marriage lasted less than two years. She later had another relationship with the director He Lu (). Affected by her association with Cheng Shuyao, Shangguan did not play any major role for several years. This changed in 1955, when she starred in the film ''Storm on the Southern Island''. Director Bai Chen () chose her to play the leading role as a heroic nurse, a far cry from her traditional roles of socialites and rich wives. She adjusted to her new role well, and portrayed a wide variety of characters in many films including ''It's My Day Off'' (1959), ''Spring Comes to the Withered Tree'' (1961, director
Zheng Junli Zheng Junli (December 6, 1911 – April 23, 1969) was a Chinese actor and director born in Shanghai and who rose to prominence in the golden age of Chinese Cinema. His films ''The Spring River Flows East'' and ''Crows and Sparrows'' are widely c ...
), ''Early Spring in February'' (1963, director
Xie Tieli Xie Tieli (27 December 1925 – 19 June 2015) was a Chinese director. In 2011, China Film Directors Guild Award awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award.
), and '' Stage Sisters'' (1965, director
Xie Jin Xie Jin (; 21 November 1923 – 18 October 2008) was a Chinese film director. He rose to prominence in 1957, directing the film '' Woman Basketball Player No. 5'', and is considered one of the Third Generation directors of China. Most recently h ...
). She was recognized as one of the most talented and versatile actresses in China.


Relationship with Mao

Shangguan was said to have had an intimate relationship with
Mao Zedong Mao Zedong pronounced ; also romanised traditionally as Mao Tse-tung. (26 December 1893 – 9 September 1976), also known as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary who was the founder of the People's Republic of China (PRC) ...
. On 10 January 1956, Shangguan and Mao had a private meeting set up by Shanghai mayor
Chen Yi Chen Yi may refer to: * Xuanzang (602–664), born as Chen Yi, Chinese Buddhist monk in Tang Dynasty * Chen Yi (Kuomintang) Chen Yi (; courtesy names Gongxia (公俠) and later Gongqia (公洽), sobriquet Tuisu (退素); May 3, 1883 – June ...
, at which Mao said he was a fan of hers. Mao was said to have requested to meet her "in private" many times.


Death

In 1966 Shangguan was diagnosed with
breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or a re ...
and had a successful surgery. However, only two months later it was found that she also had cancer in her brain and had to undergo another major operation. At the same time, the
Cultural Revolution The Cultural Revolution, formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, was a sociopolitical movement in the People's Republic of China (PRC) launched by Mao Zedong in 1966, and lasting until his death in 1976. Its stated goal ...
was underway. Two films Shangguan had appeared in, ''Early Spring in February'' and ''
Two Stage Sisters Two Stage Sisters is a 1964 Chinese drama film produced by Shanghai Tianma Film Studio and directed by Xie Jin, starring Xie Fang and Cao Yindi. Made just before the Cultural Revolution, it tells the story of two female Yue opera practitioners f ...
'', had been denounced as "huge poisonous weeds". She was also under severe persecution for her alleged affair with Mao. She was badly beaten by followers of Mao's wife
Jiang Qing Jiang Qing (19 March 191414 May 1991), also known as Madame Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary, actress, and major political figure during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976). She was the fourth wife of Mao Zedong, the Chairman o ...
, who gave her an ultimatum to confess her relationship with Mao. At 3 a.m. on 23 November 1968, Shangguan Yunzhu jumped to her death from her apartment.


Biographies and museum

Several biographies have been published in Chinese about Shangguan Yunzhu's life: * Chen Danyan, ''Shanghai Beauty'' () (2000) – Biographical account of Shangguan and her daughter Yao Yao, who was killed in a traffic accident in 1975. *Wei Xiangtao, ''Grieving for a movie star: a biography of Shangguan Yunzhu'' (1986). *Chen Fuguan (), ''Shangguan Yunzhu''. In 2007, her childhood home in Changjing,
Jiangyin Jiangyin (, Jiangyin dialect: ) is a county-level city on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, and is administered by Wuxi, Jiangsu province. Jiangyin is one of the most important transport hubs on the Yangtze River, it is also one of the most d ...
was opened to the public as the Shangguan Yunzhu Museum.


Selected filmography

*1941 ''Fallen Rose'' (dirs. Wu Wenchao and Wen Yimin) *1947 ''Dream in Paradise'' (dir.
Tang Xiaodan Tang Xiaodan (; 22 February 1910 – 21 January 2012) was a Chinese film director. In 1984, he won the Golden Rooster Award for Best Director. He was the father of painter Tang Muli and conductor Tang Muhai. Filmography This is a partial l ...
) *1947 ''
Long Live the Missus! ''Long Live the Missus!'' ( zh, t=太太萬歲, s=太太万岁, first=t; pinyin: Tàitai Wànsuì) is a 1947 Chinese comedy film known as one of the best comedies of the civil war era. The film was directed by Sang Hu ( 桑弧) with a screenplay wr ...
'' (dir. Sang Hu) *1947 '' Spring River Flows East'' (dirs.
Cai Chusheng Cai Chusheng (January 12, 1906 – July 15, 1968) was a Chinese film director of the pre-Communist era, and was the first Chinese director to win an international film award at the Moscow International Film Festival. Best known for his progres ...
and
Zheng Junli Zheng Junli (December 6, 1911 – April 23, 1969) was a Chinese actor and director born in Shanghai and who rose to prominence in the golden age of Chinese Cinema. His films ''The Spring River Flows East'' and ''Crows and Sparrows'' are widely c ...
) *1948 '' Myriad of Lights'' (dir.
Shen Fu Shen Fu (; 26 December 1763 – after 1825), courtesy name Sanbai (), was a Chinese writer of the Qing Dynasty, best known for his autobiography '' Six Records of a Floating Life''. Life Shen Fu was born in Changzhou (长洲, in Suzhou, Jian ...
) *1949 ''Hope in the World'' (dir. Shen Fu) *1949 ''
Crows and Sparrows ''Crows and Sparrows'' () is a 1949 Chinese film made by the left-leaning Kunlun Studios on the eve of the Communist victory, directed by Zheng Junli and scripted by Chen Baichen. Notable for its extremely critical view of corrupt Nationalist burea ...
'' (dir. Zheng Junli) *1949 ''
Women Side by Side ''Women Side by Side'' (), also translated as ''Three Women'' and ''Female Fighters'', is a 1949 Chinese film directed by Chen Liting, made near the end of the Republic of China (1912–49), Republican era. It is Chen's most famous directorial wo ...
'' (dir.
Chen Liting Chen Liting (; 20 October 1910 – 27 August 2013) was a Chinese playwright, drama and film director, screenwriter, and film theorist. He was one of the most prominent film directors and screenwriters in pre-Communist China, together with Shi ...
) *1955 ''Storm on the Southern Island'' (dir. Bai Chen) *1959 ''It's My Day Off'' (dir. Lu Ren) *1961 ''Spring Comes to the Withered Tree'' (dir. Zheng Junli) *1963 ''Early Spring in February'' (dir.
Xie Tieli Xie Tieli (27 December 1925 – 19 June 2015) was a Chinese director. In 2011, China Film Directors Guild Award awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award.
) *1965 '' Stage Sisters'' (dir.
Xie Jin Xie Jin (; 21 November 1923 – 18 October 2008) was a Chinese film director. He rose to prominence in 1957, directing the film '' Woman Basketball Player No. 5'', and is considered one of the Third Generation directors of China. Most recently h ...
)


See also

*
Xu Lai (actress) Xu Lai (; 1909 – 4 April 1973) was a Chinese film actress, socialite, and World War II secret agent. Known as the "Standard Beauty", she was active in the film industry for only three years, and quit acting after the suicide of the great sta ...
*
Wang Ying (actress) Wang Ying ; , Yu Zhihua; during incarceration, Prisoner No. 6742; March 8, 1913 – March 3, 1974) was a Chinese actress in the 1930s. She rose to be a star of plays and cinema. The most valuable Chinese painting was of her. She was the first C ...
*
Sun Weishi Sun Weishi ( zh, s=孙维世; 30 November 1921 – 15 October 1968) was the first female director of modern spoken drama (''Huaju'') in Chinese history. Sun's father was killed by the Kuomintang (KMT) in 1927, and Sun was eventually adopted b ...


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Shangguan, Yunzhu 1920 births 1968 deaths Actresses from Wuxi People from Jiangyin 20th-century Chinese actresses Suicides during the Cultural Revolution Suicides by jumping in China Chinese film actresses Second Sino-Japanese War refugees 1968 suicides