Song of the Phoenix

Song of the Phoenix is a 2013 Chinese art house drama film directed by Wu Tianming.[2][3] It was released in China by Beijing Juhe Yinglian Media on May 6, 2016.[1]

Not to be confused with Song of Phoenix.
Song of the Phoenix
Poster
Chinese百鸟朝凤
Directed byWu Tianming
StarringTao Zeru
Production
companies
Xi'an Qujiang Dreamgarden Pictures
Shanxi Jinghaoze Film&TV Culture
Beijing Laolei Pictures
Beijing Juhe Yinglian Media
Beijing Dongfang Tianming Media
Beijing Qitai Yuanyang Media
Xi'an Qujiang Film&TV Investment Group[1]
Distributed byBeijing Juhe Yinglian Media[1]
Release date
Running time
110 minutes[1]
CountryChina
LanguageMandarin
Box officeCN¥85.2 million[1]

Plot

In a Wushuang village, Shaanxi province, a young boy named You Tianming (Zheng Wei) begins to learn suona with Master Jiao (Tao Zeru). He and a fellow student, Lanyu (Hu Xianxu), dream of playing in Master Jiao's ensemble, which goes on tour throughout the Wushuang villages for wedding and funeral performances.

Master Jiao announces that he will soon retire, and he chooses Tianming as his successor. Jiao teaches Tianming the suona knowledge passed from teacher to student over the centuries. Tianming also learns the "Song of the Phoenix", a celebrated piece of music played only at funerals of the most renowned individuals.

When Tianming grows up (Li Mincheng), he becomes principal of the suona ensemble, but he finds the popularity of traditional Chinese music waning. The respect due to the suona musicians is no longer shown, and he is called to fewer and fewer gigs. To his anger, the use of suona is being replaced with the "modern" instruments of the West.

The company begins to disband as the ensemble's members must face reality and find work elsewhere to make ends meet. Master Jiao urges Tianming to continue the tradition of the suona ensemble, although he himself is compromised by a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer.

An official from the government arrives to ask Tianming to make a recording with his ensemble to preserve the culture of this dying art form. However, the few remaining members of the ensemble are unable to play, as they have sustained injuries from labour in factories. Lanyu suggests that Tianming also abandon life in the village and find work in the city. But Tianming remains devout to his teacher's greatest wish.

Upon Master Jiao's death, Tianming plays the "Song of the Phoenix" at the tombstone, alone.

Cast

Reception

The film has grossed CN¥85.2 million at the Chinese box office.[1]

Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
29th Golden Rooster Awards Best Film Song of the Phoenix Nominated
Special Jury Award Wu Tianming Won
Best Actor Tao Zeru Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Chi Peng Nominated
Best Sound Recording Wang Changhui Nominated
34th Hundred Flowers Awards Best Picture Song of the Phoenix Pending [4]
Best Actor Tao Zeru Pending
Best Supporting Actor Li Mincheng Pending
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References
  1. "百鸟朝凤（2016）" (in Chinese). cbooo.cn. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  2. "百鸟朝凤 (2013)" (in Chinese). douban.com. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  3. Ryan, Fergus (May 25, 2016). "Live-Streaming Apps Boom in China, Fuel Celebrity, Create New Stars". China Film Insider. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  4. "第34届百花奖候选名单公布 章子怡周冬雨争影后" (in Chinese). Tencent. August 10, 2018.
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