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E-mail China.org.cn, March 8, 2024
On stage, she's a glamorous opera star. Off the stage, however, her family life is in disarray as she betrays her husband and abandons her children.
Actress He Saifei in a still image from "Off the Stage." [Photo courtesy of iQiyi Pictures]
"I don't agree with many of the protagonist's choices and attitudes toward her children," said actress He Saifei. "But I can understand her pure artistic motivations and behaviors."
"Off the Stage," adapted from Ai Wei's novel "An Everlasting Life," stars He Saifei as Madam Qi, a once-celebrated star of Yue opera. Facing terminal illness in her later years, she seeks reconciliation with the children she abandoned for her career. As family tensions and secrets from her past emerge, the film delves into the complex life of a woman torn between ambition and family duty.
In one heart-wrenching scene, her eldest son confronts her, accusing her of betrayal. Madam Qi, who chose fame and life as an opera star ahead of pursuing a normal family life, replies emotionally: "I aimed for a bigger stage. What's wrong with that?"
Actor Yuan Wenkang, who plays Madam Qi's son, describes He Saifei's dedication to the role. "She was acting with all the passion of her own life. She really immersed herself in the character's emotions, caring for details in this drastic way. After everything was done that day, she was exhausted, and I went up to hug her. Then she was in a daze and slowly drifted to her room, and just collapsed there. I have so much respect for her."
Yuan Wenkang and He Saifei in a still image from "Off the Stage." [Photo courtesy of iQiyi Pictures]
At the film's premiere in Beijing on March 3, director Qiao Liang discussed the film's exploration of human nature, family trauma and feminism.
The director recalled that after reading the original novel, He Saifei was the only person he thought of for the lead role, given her background as a highly trained opera actress and decades of experience in film and TV. However, He Saifei initially was hesitant about accepting the role and so frequently questioned the director about the character's actions. "Eventually, she connected with it. Then she said she became 'possessed' by the role. She cried, and never asked me anything again," Qiao told China.org.cn.
He Saifei was later rewarded for her hard work. At the 36th Golden Rooster Awards last year, she won the best actress award for her touching depiction of an opera singer and mother in the film.
Director Qiao Liang poses for a promotional photo shoot. [Photo courtesy of iQiyi Pictures]
The film contains multiple elements of high drama, including an obsession with becoming a famous opera star, terminal illness, romantic betrayal, age-gap relationship and even an assassination plot, but the director manages to craft an entirely convincing story. Meanwhile, Qiao also opted to include many lines of dialogue in the Hangzhou dialect to reflect local life in a more realistic manner, and even created new Yue opera-like sections to fit with the storyline.
"I've never seen a mother like this, as portrayed in the film. She's a remarkable woman with a life story full of drama, ups and downs," said actor Yuan Wenkang. "What struck me is the scene when Madam Qi, at her lowest point and with makeup on, lies in bed to bid farewell to the world. But I felt that this is the highlight and most beautiful moment of her life — she finds redemption and no longer has any regrets."
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