The Film Representation Of Literary Works By “the Potato School”

In Chinese films,the native-soil film is one film type that has distinctive characteristics of the nation and the times,and an art form marking the transformation of the nation's social culture.“The Potato School” was a writer group with Zhao Shuli as its leading figure.Maintaining in their writings a plain yet witty style of the farmers,and cherishing profound humanity,strong national consciousness and sincere feelings to speak for the masses and influence society through literature,they created a number of brilliant literary works with contemporary warmth,and made indelible contributions to the literature and art of the Chinese nation.The film representation of literary works written by “the Potato School”,as a major subject-matter in the films of New China,has brought the plain and ordinary country life onto the screen and presented a new look of China's countryside: laboring scenes bustling with activity,spirited new villagers,neighbors working in unity and close cooperation,and severe class struggles.Developing against the background of profound folk customs and culture,the film representation of literary works written by “the Potato School”,from subject matters to characterization and then to artistic expression,has all manifested a distinct style full of Chinese characteristics and strong local color,and possessed irreplaceable historical and aesthetic value.Since the early film representation of literary works by “the Potato School”,such as in the film When the Grapes Ripen,a creation principle had been laid down,that is,films should both conform to policies and have an affinity to the people.Then,through the middle period emerged a series of good films with strong rural flavor,such as Hua Hao Yue Yuan(literally meaning “Blooming Flowers and Full Moon”)and so on.While presenting the historical transformations taking place in China's broad rural areas and the new life of Chinese farmers,those films had also sought to discuss several acute practical problems and even some backward and negative aspects in society,and achieved commendable artistic accomplishments under strong political pressure.Around the 1980 s,still maintaining a strong sense of historical mission,the film representation of literary works written by “the Potato School” had no longer confined its creation to simply interpreting the country's specific policies,but begun to focus on the personal experience and spiritual changes of Chinese farmers in the new era.Some representative films during this period included Tear Stains,Our Veteran Soldier,etc.Based on the related previous research,this thesis mainly conducts its study in the following aspects.First,it introduces the creation background for the film representation of literary works written by “the Potato School”,summarizes the developing course of these literary works on the film screen,explores the causes for this film representation practice,and examines the specific participation of different literary forms in films.Second,by placing this series of films adapted from “the Potato School's” literary works onto the grand stage of the Chinese film history,the thesis analyzes these films' narrative contents,mirror images,and themes,and proves their historical inevitability and strong vitality.Third,the thesis explores the detailed representation of folk customs concepts in films adapted from literary works of “the Potato School”,and pays special attention to the people's simple world view taking shape under the influence of their regional culture.Finally,the thesis expounds on the common and prominent limitations of the film representation of literary works written by “the Potato School”,and affirms the explorations and breakthroughs it has made in artistic and cultural concepts,as well as the practical enlightenment it has brought to the present-day film adaption of literary works.