Twenty-one Peking Opera films are captivating audiences at the ongoing Beijing International Film Festival, marking the largest showcase of this traditional Chinese art form in the festival's history. Classics like "Farewell My Concubine" and "Havoc in Heaven" are featured alongside the highly anticipated "A River All Red".
Renowned Peking Opera performer Yu Kuizhi, lead actor in "A River All Red", expressed his hope that the film will serve as a lasting reference for future generations. "I've been involved in Peking Opera for over 50 years," Yu shared. "Bringing 'A River All Red' to the big screen has always been my dream. Through modern filmmaking techniques, we can enrich our performances and share the art of Peking Opera with a wider audience."
The China Film Corporation has been instrumental in producing and distributing classic Peking Opera films in recent years. At the premiere of "A River All Red", company representative Ren Yue announced that 119 cinemas nationwide will launch a long-term screening campaign to promote this traditional art form.
Since 2011, artists and experts from the opera and film industries have collaborated on the "Beijing Opera Film Project," which has been featured at the Beijing International Film Festival for ten consecutive years. This initiative aims to bring Peking Opera to new audiences and preserve its cultural heritage.
