Revisit the Place Where the Original Aspiration Sprung Up – Film “1921” Unveiled at the 24th SIFF

The 24th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) will hold the Golden Goblet Ceremony and kicks off on the evening of June 11. At that time, the film "1921", which shows the start of the great journey of the Communist Party of China in the past century, will be unveiled at the ceremony as the opening film of this SIFF.

"1921" was filmed under the direction of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, directed by Huang Jianxin and Zheng Dasheng, and starred by a group of outstanding actors and actresses such as Huang Xuan, Ni Ni, and Wang Renjun. The film develops in perspective of the times, focusing on the stories that occurred around 1921, recreating the magnificent and pioneering historical moments a hundred years ago in a panoramic manner-the passionate young people from all corners of the nation with an average age of only 28, breaking through the international and domestic darkness and overcoming numerous difficulties, gathered in Shanghai to convene the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, proclaiming the founding of the Communist Party of China.

Unique ingenuity to reproduce the hard and glorious journey

This year marks the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, and Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China and where its original aspiration sprung. "1921", the ingenious production of hundreds of Chinese filmmakers, will be the first to meet with the audience at the SIFF, which is of great significance.

Different from the previous chronicle structure of film and television works of similar themes, the film "1921" closely follows important historical time points, tells a panoramic story of the little-known story of the establishment of the Communist Party of China a hundred years ago, and records this glorious journey of hardship in an easy-to-understand way.

Through screen art, the film shows the great event of the founding of the Communist Party of China. By depicting the dedication of the aspiring young people a hundred years ago, who did not fear sacrifices and devoted themselves to save the country, the history of the birth of the Communist Party of China is inevitable, who would undertake the mission of striving for national independence and the liberation of the people. "1921" tells the story of the history of the Communist Party of China in a subtle and touching way.

Recreate Shanghai a hundred years ago faithfully and poetically

The story of "1921" mainly takes place in Shanghai. During the filming of the film, to truly reproduce the history, the crew team traveled thousands of miles around the world to find detailed historical materials, invited Party history experts to participate in the whole process, and even 1:1 restored the original building complex on the site where the Communist Party of China was born.

"1921" pursues dynamics and rhythm in the use of lenses, and uses a combination of realism and freehand expression. It not only truly restores the urban appearance of Shanghai in the 1920s, but also conveys a unique artistic beauty through heavy and poetic pictures.

As for the original intention of creation, Huang Jianxin, the producer and director of the film, said: "The ancestors who appeared in our film really used their lives to pursue the truth and the future of more people. This is called greatness. It took only 28 years after it is founded to change China. How? That’s why we wanted to make this film. We wanted to explore the power of this faith that transcends life."

Portray the ancestors in their prime who have faith and dream

"1921" focused on portraying the representatives of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China. With firm faith and enthusiasm, the young people of a hundred years ago made a world-breaking feat in the era of dire straits. These "young" ancestors are also encouraging young people in the new era to think about "what kind of youth is most meaningful", and inspiring young people in the new era to shoulder important missions and move forward.

Historical figures in 1921in this film are played by a group of outstanding young actors and actresses. At that time, the average age of the representatives founding of the Communist Party of China was only 28 years old. The choice of these young actors to perform is not only to restore the historical reality, but also to convey a young and high spirit. In the work, the crew strives to reproduce the major historical moments that broke ground a hundred years ago. Many actors and actresses read a large number of biographies and historical materials before entering the crew. After understanding the role in depth, they tried their best to enter the state of character through continuous communication with the director. Producer Ren Ning said that he often sees actors in front of the lens on the monitor, showing the status of youth that the director wants to present, that’s is with "faith in his heart and light in his eyes".

The hundred-year film art on a ceaseless journey. On June 11, with the screening of the film "1921", the 24th SIFF will also kick off. Standing at the important historical moment when the past of a century of glory meets with the future of a new journey of the new era, this year's SIFF will focus on the mainstream and sound the hymn for the centenary of the Communist Party of China.