COB: THE RED DETACHMENT OF WOMEN (1970) (Washington, DC)

THE RED DETACHMENT OF WOMEN 1970
红色娘子军

Director: Fu Jie, Pan Wenzhan. Producer: Beijing Film Studio. Adaptation: China Dance Drama Troupe. Cinematographer: Li Wen. Cast: Liu Qingtang, Xue Jinghua, Song Chen, Li Xinying, Li Chengxiang, Wan Qiwu.

The tumultuous Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), remembered now as a dark period of political violence in China, also saw the creation of spectacular works of art known as yangbanxi (revolutionary model dramas). Drawing upon Chinese opera, novels, and films, Western symphonic music, and even ballet, yangbanxi defined the culture of the Cultural Revolution. In this iconic 1970 ballet film, the heroine Wu Qinghua escapes from an evil landlord and becomes the leader of a women’s militia – guided all the while by a dashing Communist Party cadre. Courtesy of the China Film Archive, this is the first officially approved screening of the film in the US. The presentation also marks the 40th anniversary of President Nixon’s visit to China in 1972. – Robert Chi

35mm, color, 105 min.

Courtesy of the China Film Archive, this is the first officially approved screening of the film in the US in the past two decades.