Children of Troubled Times

Plot

Set against the backdrop of Japanese invasion in 1930s China, 'Children of Troubled Times' follows the journey of young poet Xin Baihe and his friend Liang as they flee Shanghai for the coastal city of Qingdao. While Liang immediately commits to the anti-Japanese resistance movement, Xin becomes romantically involved with a sophisticated, westernized widow, choosing personal pleasure over patriotic duty. The film reaches its emotional climax when Xin learns of Liang's heroic death in battle, forcing him to confront his own cowardice and reconsider his life choices. In a powerful transformation, Xin abandons his comfortable life and rushes to join the resistance, embodying the film's central message about personal sacrifice for national salvation. The narrative serves as both a character study and a call to action for Chinese youth during a time of national crisis.

Historical Background

Produced in 1935, 'Children of Troubled Times' emerged during a critical period in Chinese history when Japanese aggression was escalating rapidly. The film was created just two years after Japan's invasion of Manchuria and during the height of anti-Japanese sentiment throughout China. The Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek was simultaneously trying to modernize China while dealing with both Japanese threats and communist insurgency. Shanghai, where the film was produced, was an international concession city experiencing intense political turmoil, with underground resistance movements operating alongside colonial authorities. The film's production coincided with the December 9th Movement of 1935, a massive student protest against Japanese aggression, which influenced the film's emphasis on youth activism. This context made the film not just entertainment but a political statement and rallying cry for national unity against foreign invasion.

Making Of

The production of 'Children of Troubled Times' took place during one of China's most turbulent periods. Director Xu Xingzhi assembled a cast and crew who were deeply committed to the anti-Japanese resistance movement, many of whom were involved in left-wing political activities. The filming in Shanghai was particularly challenging due to the constant threat of Japanese intervention and Nationalist government surveillance. The famous beach scene in Qingdao was shot during a typhoon, which the director incorporated into the film's emotional climax. The film's most controversial sequence, showing the protagonist's moral awakening, required multiple reshoots to pass censorship. The production team worked under constant pressure, knowing that their film could be banned at any moment. The score was composed by Nie Er, who tragically died in Japan shortly after the film's release, making the film's success bittersweet.

Visual Style

The film's cinematography, helmed by Wong Kwok-tai, was groundbreaking for its time, employing sophisticated lighting techniques and dynamic camera movements that were rare in 1930s Chinese cinema. The beach sequences in Qingdao utilized natural light to create stark contrasts between the characters' emotional states and the turbulent sea, symbolizing the national crisis. Wong employed German Expressionist influences in the interior scenes, using dramatic shadows and angular compositions to convey psychological tension. The film's most celebrated shot is a long tracking sequence following Xin Baihe through the streets of Shanghai, creating a sense of urban alienation and moral confusion. The cinematography also incorporated traditional Chinese visual aesthetics, particularly in the composition of group scenes that echoed classical landscape paintings. Technical innovations included the use of location shooting in difficult conditions and experimental lighting setups that enhanced the film's dramatic impact.

Innovations

For its time, 'Children of Troubled Times' represented several technical breakthroughs in Chinese cinema. The film employed advanced sound recording techniques that allowed for clearer dialogue and more sophisticated sound effects than typical productions of the era. The editing, particularly in the montage sequences showing resistance activities, demonstrated innovative use of cross-cutting and rhythmic editing to build emotional intensity. The production team developed special effects for the battle scenes that, while modest by modern standards, were highly effective for 1935 Chinese cinema. The film also pioneered the use of location sound recording in challenging environments, particularly in the outdoor scenes shot in Qingdao. The makeup and costume design created authentic period looks while allowing for symbolic visual storytelling. The film's preservation of these technical achievements is remarkable, considering the political upheavals and wars that destroyed many Chinese films from this period.

Music

The film's soundtrack, composed by the legendary Nie Er, represents a milestone in Chinese film music history. Its most famous component, 'March of the Volunteers,' features a rousing melody with martial rhythms and powerful lyrics by Tian Han that directly address the Japanese invasion. The score blends Western orchestral techniques with traditional Chinese musical elements, creating a distinctive sound that both modernized and nationalized Chinese film music. Nie Er incorporated motifs from Chinese folk songs and revolutionary songs, weaving them into a cohesive musical narrative that follows the protagonist's moral journey. The soundtrack was particularly innovative in its use of leitmotifs to represent different characters and ideological positions. The music was recorded using primitive equipment but achieved remarkable clarity and emotional impact. Tragically, this was one of Nie Er's final compositions before his death in Japan in 1935, making the soundtrack both a artistic triumph and a memorial to a brilliant composer cut down in his prime.

Memorable Scenes

• The beach scene where Xin Baihe walks alone in the storm, symbolizing his internal turmoil and the nation's crisis
• The montage sequence showing resistance activities across China, accompanied by 'March of the Volunteers'
• The final scene where Xin rushes to join the army, abandoning his westernized lifestyle
• The confrontation between Xin and Liang about their different paths during the national crisis
• The cabaret scene showing the decadence of Shanghai's foreign concession areas

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film for its bold patriotic message and technical achievements, with particular acclaim for its cinematography and powerful performances. The Shanghai press hailed it as 'a masterpiece of national cinema' and 'a clarion call for Chinese youth.' However, some conservative critics criticized the film's portrayal of the westernized widow character as morally corrupting. International reviewers at the Moscow Film Festival noted its 'passionate nationalism and artistic merit.' Modern film historians consider it a landmark of Chinese cinema, with scholars like Chris Berry calling it 'perhaps the most politically significant Chinese film ever made.' The film's reputation has grown over time, especially after its theme song's elevation to national anthem status. Contemporary Chinese film scholars frequently cite it as exemplary of the 'left-wing cinema movement' of the 1930s.

What Audiences Thought

The film was enormously popular with Chinese audiences upon its release, particularly among students and intellectuals who identified with its themes of patriotic duty. Theaters in major cities reported sold-out shows for weeks, with audiences reportedly weeping during emotional scenes and cheering during patriotic moments. The film sparked widespread discussion about individual responsibility during national crisis, with many young viewers claiming it inspired them to join resistance efforts. In Japanese-occupied areas, the film was shown clandestinely to resistance cells, where it served as moral inspiration. After the Communist victory in 1949, the film was regularly screened as part of patriotic education campaigns. During the Cultural Revolution, the film was temporarily banned due to its 'bourgeois elements,' but later rehabilitated and celebrated as a revolutionary classic. Today, it remains a beloved classic, especially among older Chinese audiences who remember its historical significance.

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