The first film in the world to use flashback was

"Old Movie Replay" starts tonight, "The West Chamber" is the first to use flashback

Answered on 2005-12-06

Produced by "Labor Love" "The Romance of the West Chamber" is the earliest to use flashback

"Labor's Love"

"The Romance of the West Chamber"

In order to commemorate the Chinese film On the 100th anniversary of its birth, starting today, BTV-8's "Old Film Review - Commemorating the Centenary of Chinese Films" program will broadcast one or two early Chinese films every day. Launched today are "Labor's Love" and "The Romance of the West Chamber". Although these films are already "old" to most viewers, the stories inside and outside each film are forever young. Watching these films makes us reminisce about the past in a world of black and white light and shadow.

When the reporter interviewed Li Daoxin, associate professor of the Department of Art at Peking University yesterday, he first told us the story behind "Labor's Love". "Labor's Love" is the earliest Chinese film extant in the China Film Archive. Produced in 1922, this comedy short film, also known as "Fruit Throwing Fate", is the earliest feature film produced in China's collection. Although it is only a short 22 minutes long, it makes good use of the unique "lens language" of silent films. Many of the images are concise and bright, which can be said to hit the mark. The plot of the story is not complicated, but it is full of the joy of life. The so-called "laborer's love" in the play actually refers to how a small trader who is a carpenter wins the heart of his lover. Can he marry the daughter of the opposite doctor as he wishes?

From today's perspective, the film can be regarded as a relatively mature romantic comedy short film. Especially in terms of comedy elements, there are many remarkable little humors, such as: measuring watermelon with a triangle, peeling sugar cane with a plane, and passing fruit on a small rope. The first use of double exposure, high-speed photography, etc. also make this film appear very mature in production. The design of the hero and heroine throwing fruits to express love is based on the allusion of Pan An, a beautiful man in ancient my country. According to a newspaper comment at the time: "I went to see it in the afternoon. Although it was not too late to enter, the seats in the upper, lower and front seats were already occupied by early adopters. Such a large theater was almost packed to the brim. Speaking of seats, it was difficult to find a good seat. It’s not easy to stand there.” Listening to Teacher Li’s story really makes people want to see it.

Gao Xiaojian, a researcher at the Film and Television Institute of the China Academy of Arts, also introduced the precious historical story behind "The Romance of the West Chamber" to reporters yesterday.

"The Romance of the West Chamber" is a film shot by director Hou Yao in 1927. Although the plot of "The Romance of the West Chamber" is almost universally known, this version is not only the earliest film version adapted, but also an early costume film. Can't miss it! Before showing the movie, specially invited film research experts will also introduce the little-known legendary experience of director Hou Yao. Hou Yao's main works include "The Abandoned Wife", "A String of Pearls", "The Great Wall of Flesh", etc., and he also shot some Anti-Japanese War films. The life stories of the two female protagonists Lin Chuchu and Li Dandan in "The Romance of the West Chamber" are also quite interesting.

According to Teacher Gao, director Hou Yao graduated from Soochow University and participated in the famous Literary Research Society in 1922. His life is also a legendary one. "The Romance of the West Chamber" should be regarded as his masterpiece. The theme is classical, the style is magical, and the special effects are boldly used. Among them, the earliest use of flashback techniques in the Chinese film industry, the use of extra-large brushes, the big scene of the battle between General Du Que and Sun Feihu, and the lack of subtitles are all highlights of the film that are worthy of pride. The ability to integrate costume, romance, comedy and martial arts genres also makes this film not to be ignored. It is also the first Chinese film to enter the Western film market. Media outlets in Britain, France and other countries (such as The Times) commented and spoke highly of the film. The version of "The West Chamber" in the collection of the China Film Archive is only 40 minutes long, but it was collected from Europe by the Hong Kong International Film Festival in 1994. After restoration, it can already be screened for 50 minutes. From "the West Wing on paper" to truly "the West Wing in front of your eyes".

According to Teacher Gao, after the 1930s, director Hou Yao went to Hong Kong to start a business and directed some Anti-Japanese War films. In 1942, the Japanese invaders captured Singapore and conducted a large-scale roundup of anti-Japanese people. Hou Yao was in Singapore at the time and was also included in the roundup. One day, the Japanese invaders arrested a group of anti-Japanese people, accused one of them of being Hou Yao, and wanted to behead him in public. Hou Yao, who was present at the scene, could not bear to have his compatriots die on his behalf, so he bravely stepped forward and sacrificed his life generously. He was only 39 years old. Currently, there are only two surviving films directed by Hou Yao, "A String of Pearls" and "The Romance of the West Chamber." Hou Yao has made contributions to the nation with his films and life.