Original Title: Keeping Up with Audience Aesthetics, Keeping Pace with the Times
Unexpectedly, “The Silent Glory” became a hit.
There was concern that this work, which insists on “old craftsmanship,” might not keep up with today’s pace. Just like filming “Home with Nine Phoenixes” over 20 years ago, we shaped characters with the imprints of life and the texture of the era, unhurriedly, following the rhythm of real life, telling a story that is “like a clap of thunder from a clear sky.”
Poster for “The Silent Glory”
If judged by data and formulas, it seems quite unconventional, lacking dense plot twists or dramatic suspense. Coupled with almost “zero promotion” before its release, such a fervent response was truly unexpected.
Why? After much thought, it boils down to the authentic story and emotions that moved the audience.
For over 70 years, the heroic deeds of Wu Shi, Chen Baocang, and Nie Xi have been sealed away for too long. This “silence” itself contains immense emotional tension. Before filming, we reached a consensus: they were “ordinary people who hid themselves.” As long as we portrayed them faithfully and earnestly, there would be an audience. The spirit of silently dedicating themselves for the greater good of the nation, without seeking fame or harboring regrets, naturally strikes the softest spot in the audience’s hearts. This kind of authenticity cannot be fabricated behind closed doors; it is a precious gift from history.
There’s a saying that goes: artistic creation is for the “heart.” What is the “heart”? It is the audience’s genuine thoughts and feelings, the imprint of the times on each person’s mind, the shared emotions of our country and nation at this very moment. “The Silent Glory” aligns with the situation of our nation stepping closer to the center of the world stage and resonates with the people’s desire for national reunification, thus gaining recognition. Our creations should dig deeper into such authentic stories that uplift spirits and unite hearts.
In recent years, there have been occasional mentions of a “film and TV winter” or a “long-form drama winter,” but I don’t see it that way. “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” The power for change and innovation is gestating and growing within it. The key is whether we can keep up with audience aesthetics and the pace of the times in time to provide valuable content.
Long-form dramas, medium-length dramas, micro-short dramas, text-to-image, text-to-video, virtual shooting… New forms and technologies are constantly emerging, further lowering the barrier to creation. This makes it even more necessary for us to ponder the purpose and value of artistic creation. This reminds me of a phrase often said by director Wu Tianming: “When filming each drama, sprinkle a handful of Chinese soil.” We certainly do not reject new creative tools, but we must not stray from the source of creation—the vibrant life and the times—just in pursuit of trends. The audience, through their choices, has taught us a lesson: no matter how the medium changes, sincere, life-rooted creations will always have their market and value.
