Song of the Fishermen

Plot

Song of the Fishermen tells the poignant story of a poor fisherman family living near Shanghai who struggle to survive in harsh economic conditions. The film opens with the birth of twins, a boy named Xiaohai and a girl named Xiaoxiao, who grow up in poverty alongside their hardworking parents. The twins befriend a wealthy boy nicknamed 'Young Master' from a privileged family, creating a stark contrast between their lives of hardship and his life of luxury. As the children grow older, their friendship is tested by class divisions and economic realities, with the twins' father becoming disabled in an accident and their mother falling ill. The family's desperate struggle for survival intensifies as they face exploitation from fish merchants and the crushing weight of poverty, ultimately leading to tragedy when both parents die and the twins must fend for themselves in a society that offers little hope for the poor.

Historical Background

Song of the Fishermen was produced during a critical period in Chinese history, the 1930s, when China was facing internal political turmoil and external threats from Japanese aggression. The film emerged during the 'Golden Age' of Chinese cinema in Shanghai, which was then the cultural and economic center of China. This era saw the rise of left-wing filmmakers who used cinema as a medium for social commentary and political expression. The film was created just before the full-scale Japanese invasion of China in 1937, during a time of intense nationalism and social reform movements. The Republic of China government was struggling with modernization efforts while dealing with warlordism and communist insurgency. The film's focus on class struggle and poverty reflected the growing social consciousness among Chinese intellectuals and artists of the period. International cinema was also evolving, with the rise of social realist movements globally, and Song of the Fishermen represented China's contribution to this trend.

Making Of

The production of Song of the Fishermen was marked by Cai Chusheng's innovative approach to social realism in Chinese cinema. The director insisted on authentic location shooting, taking his cast and crew to actual fishing villages to capture the harsh reality of fishermen's lives. This was revolutionary for Chinese cinema of the 1930s, which primarily relied on studio sets. The production faced numerous challenges including limited equipment, unpredictable weather during outdoor shoots, and political pressure from authorities who were wary of the film's social critique. Wang Renmei's performance was particularly notable as she spent time living with fishing families to understand their way of life. The film's theme song was composed by Ren Guang with lyrics by An E, and its melancholic melody perfectly captured the film's somber tone. The production team worked with minimal resources but maximized creativity, using natural lighting for outdoor scenes and developing new techniques for filming on water.

Visual Style

The cinematography of Song of the Fishermen was groundbreaking for its time, featuring innovative techniques that set new standards for Chinese cinema. Director Cai Chusheng and cinematographer Huang Sha worked extensively with natural lighting, particularly in the outdoor fishing sequences, creating a realistic and atmospheric visual style. The film employed location shooting on a scale rarely seen in Chinese cinema of the 1930s, capturing the harsh beauty of the coastal landscapes and the dangerous conditions of fishing life. The camera work emphasized the contrast between the vast, indifferent sea and the vulnerability of the human characters, using wide shots to establish the setting and close-ups to capture emotional moments. The film's visual language incorporated elements of German Expressionism and Soviet montage theory, adapted to serve its social realist narrative. The cinematography also made effective use of shadows and light to underscore the film's themes of poverty and hopelessness. The technical achievements in filming on water and capturing authentic fishing activities were particularly notable given the limited equipment available to Chinese filmmakers at the time.

Innovations

Song of the Fishermen achieved several technical milestones for Chinese cinema in the 1930s. The film pioneered extensive location shooting in Chinese cinema, particularly the challenging sequences filmed on water and in actual fishing villages. The production team developed innovative techniques for filming marine environments, including specialized camera mounting for boat scenes and protection against water damage. The film's sound recording was advanced for its time, successfully capturing dialogue and ambient sounds in outdoor settings, which was technically difficult with the equipment available. The cinematography employed sophisticated lighting techniques, especially in the use of natural light for outdoor scenes, creating a realistic visual style that influenced subsequent Chinese films. The editing incorporated elements of Soviet montage theory while maintaining narrative clarity, helping to advance film language in Chinese cinema. The production also demonstrated technical prowess in its special effects, particularly in creating realistic storm sequences and fishing accidents. These technical achievements were particularly impressive given the limited resources available to Chinese filmmakers during this period.

Music

The soundtrack of Song of the Fishermen is most famous for its title theme song 'Yuguang Qu' (Song of the Fishermen), composed by Ren Guang with lyrics by An E. This melancholic ballad became one of the most popular songs in China during the 1930s and remains an enduring classic of Chinese popular music. The song's lyrics poetically describe the hardships of fishermen's lives, while its haunting melody perfectly captures the film's somber tone. The soundtrack also incorporated authentic folk elements and traditional Chinese musical motifs, reflecting the cultural background of the characters. The music was used strategically throughout the film to enhance emotional moments and underscore the social commentary. The film's sound design was innovative for its time, incorporating natural sounds of the sea and fishing activities to create an immersive audio environment. The success of the theme song contributed significantly to the film's cultural impact and helped establish the practice of creating memorable songs for Chinese films, a tradition that continues in Chinese cinema today.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence showing the birth of the twins in the humble fishing boat
• The children's friendship scenes contrasting the wealthy boy's toys with the twins' simple games
• The father's accident at sea showing the dangers of fishing life
• The mother's illness and death scene emphasizing the family's helplessness
• The final scene of the twins orphaned and facing an uncertain future
• The musical sequences featuring the haunting theme song
• The storm sequence demonstrating nature's power over human life

What Critics Said

Upon its release, Song of the Fishermen received widespread critical acclaim both in China and internationally. Chinese critics praised the film for its bold social commentary, realistic portrayal of working-class life, and technical achievements in cinematography. The film was hailed as a milestone in Chinese cinema for its departure from melodramatic conventions toward social realism. International critics, particularly at the Moscow Film Festival, recognized the film as an important work of social cinema that transcended cultural boundaries. Contemporary film historians and scholars continue to regard the movie as a landmark achievement, praising its artistic merit, social relevance, and historical importance. The film is often cited in academic studies of Chinese cinema as a prime example of the left-wing film movement of the 1930s. Modern critics have noted how the film's themes of social injustice and economic inequality remain relevant today, contributing to its enduring legacy.

What Audiences Thought

Song of the Fishermen was immensely popular with Chinese audiences upon its release in 1934, resonating strongly with ordinary citizens who could relate to its depiction of poverty and struggle. The film's emotional story and memorable theme song struck a chord with viewers across social classes, though it particularly appealed to working-class audiences. The movie's success at the box office demonstrated that Chinese audiences were hungry for films that reflected their own experiences and social realities. The theme song became so popular that it was sung throughout China, effectively becoming an anthem for the working class. Audience reactions were deeply emotional, with many viewers reportedly moved to tears by the family's tragic circumstances. The film's popularity extended beyond major cities to rural areas, where traveling cinema troupes brought the movie to audiences who had rarely seen films. The enduring popularity of the film and its music is evidenced by the fact that both are still remembered and referenced in Chinese culture today, nearly a century after its release.

You Might Also Like