Director Zhang Jiarui was born in Chengdu in 1958, with a love for film and theatre. He studied philosophy at Sichuan University, and after failing to pass the entrance exams to the China Drama Academy became a journalist for two years, but continued to write plays.
Zhang officially returned to his calling in 1985, when he began to study directing at the Beijing Film Academy.
When Ruomo Was Seventeen, Zhang's big-screen directorial debut, won awards in Beijing, Berlin, Montreal, Los Angeles and other festivals around the world. Ruomo tells a story of a Hani minority teenager who sells corn in a mountainous town and longs for the outside world. Zhang originally intended to focus on the exotic landscape of southern China with this film in order to raise awareness for environmental protection. "But slowly, I felt it would be better if I connected the beautiful landscape with local people," Zhang says.
Director Zhang Jiarui (L) and Li Min (actor in When Ruoma Was Seventeen) at 2003 Montreal World Film Festival (photo source: indyfoto.com)
Before the shooting of When Ruomo Was Seventeen, Zhang directed a total of 11 television series, none of which were as successful or well received as his later film. The made-for-TV movie, Seeking Dreams on the Verge, shot in 1993, told the story of painters in the Yuanmingyuan artist village (which has since been torn down).
"At that time, the subject was a little avant-garde, and [the show] wasn't ambitious enough," Zhang laments. "It was only shown once on CCTV." Zhang's television series Downtown Girls, which depicted the lives of middle school girls, received the same fate. Half of the show's forty episodes were cut because of potentially damaging moral content, and in addition, the soundtrack of the show, which employed the heavy metal of the now well-known band Overload, was completely cut.
"When I finally saw the show on air, I couldn't believe it was directed by me. It was completely changed," he says. "Sometimes I have no choice but to wait and making films is not so easy."
As an official director of the Beijing Youth Film Studio, Zhang admits to a
certain stagnation in the film industry. Despite disappointments and barriers, Zhang has made it as a feature film director. His next film, Bride with Flowers Around Her Waist (Huayao Xinniang), will begin production in Yunnan in May. The film will be a love story in a Yi minority dragon-dance troupe.
"I've been living in the mountains of Yunnan for more than half a year," Zhang explains. "[I've been] taking in a lot of the surroundings and local customs. What I really want to seek is not just the superficial beauty of the place, but also the true sensibilities and humanity of the local people."
Though both of his films deal with minorities in rural China, Zhang insists that he is still very interested in urban life. "I was born in the city and spend most of my time in the city. The city is the focus of the change and progress of China, full of fuss, tension, happiness and instability. I do want, in the future, to come down from the mountains and return to life in the city."
When Ruoma Was Seventeen (Ruoma de shiqisui)
China / 2002 / 35 mm / Color / 9 reels
Synopsis:
The seventeen-year-old Hani nation girl Ruoma had been brought up by her grandmother. Ruoma's parents were swept by turbid. Ruoma sells roast corns and takes bamboo curtain from mountain to take care of her grandmother at small town. Ruoma's girlfriend Luoxia tells her that the city building is so taller than mountain and the city person takes elevator that can reach the highest sky. Ruoma opens her surprised eyes when she hears Luoxia's story about the outside world and she has a dream to take an elevator in the city.
A young guy named Aming who comes from a big city is managing a
photography shop at this small town. Aming takes good care of Ruoma, buying many roasted corns from Ruoma, taking Ruoma to Hani terrace by motorcycle. Ruoma is so pretty in Hani dressing that many tourists want to take photos with her. Aming makes money by charging from those tourists. Aming's intelligence, English, and knowledge teach Ruoma a lot. What makes Ruoma more excited is Aming promises to take her to the elevator when they earn enough money.
When Ming's money runs out and he decides to leave town, Ruoma announces—much to his surprise—she's going with him. The picturesque and exotic landscapes of southern China only add to the beauty of this sweet story.
Production:
Beijing Youth Film Studio
Liang Li Film & Television Co., Ltd.
Director: Zhang Jiarui
Producers: Wang Ziliang, Wang Licheng
Executive Producer: Zou Tianfu
Screenplay: Meng Jiazong
Cinematography: Ma Dongge
Editor: Zhou Ying
Music: Huang Zhenyu, Dong Wei
Sound (Dolby): Yang Zhanshan
Art Designer: Zhang Chongming
Cast: Li Min (as Ruoma), Yang Zhigang (as Aming), Zhu Linyuan, Li Cui
(thatsmagazines.com and asianfilms.org May 18, 2004)
