Yellow Earth (Huang Ditu), is movie directed by Fifth Generation director Chen Kaige from the Beijing Film Academy. This movie was very innovative at the time, breaking many patterns of traditional Chinese filmmaking and filmmaking in general. It also inspired future directors, such as Jia Zhangke, who cites Yellow Earth as creating his passion for film and desire to become a director.
The story is of a soldier, Gu Qing, who comes to Shaanxi, a peasant town, in order to collect folk songs for the communist movement. There he meets a small family, including Tan Tuo, a single father, Cui Qiao, his young daughter who is arranged to marry a much older man, and Liu Qiang, his mute son. It is clear that Gu Qing and the family have very different central values and beliefs. Throughout the movie, there is a clear contradiction between the revolutionary ideas preached by Gu Qing and the practicality which Tan Tuo values. For example, Gu Qing is highly opposed to the marriage of Cui Qiao, while her father finds it necessary. Also, the folk songs Gu Qing attempts to collect are meant to inspire others, which is something that the family does not understand because for them, the folk songs are usually bitter and sad. At first the family is not willing to share the songs, but Tan Tuo eventually does to prevent Gu Qing from getting in trouble. Gu Qing’s revolutionary teachings inspire Cui Qiao to join the army and Gu Qing promises to return for her. Gu Qing arrives late as CuiQiao has already drowned herself in the yellow river.
The movie is sprinkled with symbolism throughout. In fact, Gu Qing is a symbol of the director, Chen Kaige, when he was sent as an educated youth to work on the countryside. Gu Qing also represents the entire Communist Party. Nature, which is tied in closely to traditional way of thought, is the most important motif throughout the film. The insignificance of humans to the grand scale of nature is shown through panoramic camera shots. There are many criticisms of the film for those who are not willing to fully analyze its significance. Many scenes may seem long and dragged out. The plot of the movie is relatively unclear. Even the ending of the movie is left open for interpretation. However, the details of the movie are what give it its meaning and importance. The inconclusive ending allows the viewer to think about the contrast of tradition and revolutionary thinking. Can tradition and revolution exist in harmony? Is one way of thought better than the other? Is new better than old?
I think the traditional way of the thinking puts heavy emphasis on nature and its affect on the cycle of life. I think the traditional or folk people in film even to a certain extent held a belief of a divine heaven's mandate that things are fated and that cannot be changed unless they're prayers reach the heavens as seen in the last scene of the rain ritual. I think this is where the skepticism of the older generation spring from when presented with communist belief. It presents tradition thought to have a more realistic and practical view in terms of survival whereas communism seem like this unnatural way of thinking that is far-fetched.
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