Zhang Yimou films and The Reflections on Chinese society and culture in the context of Republic of China (1912-1949)

Abstract

This research is basic research. Using qualitative research methods, study "Zhang Yimou films" on the issue of the reflections on Chinese society and culture in the context of Republic of China (1912-1949). The research texts are three Zhang Yimou films, namely "Red Sorghum", "Ju Dou" and "Raise the Red Lantern", also known as the Red Trilogy. The main concept used is "Consuming History".There are 3 research objectives: 1) to study Chinese society and culture during the Republic of China (1912-1949); 2) to analyze the Red Trilogy ("Red Sorghum", "Ju Dou" and "Raise the Red Lantern"); 3) to study the reflection of Chinese sociocultural in the context of Republic of China(1912-1949) in Zhang Yimou's "Red Trilogy" films.The research results found that Zhang Yimou's red trilogy of films reflected the history and social culture of the Republic of China in the form of art. The audience watching these three films consumed history in the form of art. A prominent feature of the Red Trilogy is that it uses history as the stage, selects common social phenomena during the Republic of China, and even creates some cultural rituals, sets up spatial scenes, carries the performances of the characters, advances the plot of the story, and satisfies the audience's expectations of "past" society, Consumer demand for history and culture. In the Red Trilogy movies, the "use" of history is a commonplace phenomenon, and history has become a sought-after cultural commodity. As a kind of cultural capital, it is made into special symbols for human consumption. The process of Zhang Yimou's filmmaking is a process of consuming history.

The process of viewers watching movies is also the process of consuming history. Audiences don't care about the historical complexity presented in Zhang Yimou's films or the way history is explained. What they want most is a powerful emotional "experience." Audiences usually find a balance between fiction and authenticity when appreciating movies, understanding that movies are an art form rather than a mere presentation of facts. By watching the Red Trilogy, the audience understands the social background when the movie story takes place, and understands the social structure, cultural phenomena, family power relations, women's survival plight, etc. during the Republic of China period, thereby generating aesthetic feelings and triggering questions about social culture and values. Thinking.

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