Film debut bridges cultures in Hollywood

When the melancholic, touching music faded on the big screen, accompanied by the final set of subtitles, the audience applauded warmly in a tribute to the film Dream of the Red Chamber and its director and producer.

The screening took place at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, where director Hu Mei presented her film from China to Los Angeles as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Hu, a well-known representative of China's fifth generation of filmmakers, has made significant contributions to both film and television over nearly four decades. Her career is marked by numerous works that have captivated audiences, displaying her dedication to crafting timeless cinematic and television masterpieces.

"This film is intended for young Mandarin-speaking audiences globally," Hu told China Daily.

Although many Mandarin-speaking viewers are familiar with the Dream of the Red Chamber, few young people have read the original novel. Hu sought to address that by using modern cinematic techniques to reshape and refine the classic, making it accessible for a new generation.

"That's why we made certain modifications to the Dream of the Red Chamber," Hu said. "These changes may be considered a bold challenge and an innovation — some people may not accept them, but others may understand our original intent, which is to promote Chinese traditional culture on a broader, global scale."

Released in August last year in China, Dream of the Red Chamber: The Marriage of Gold and Jade is the latest adaptation of the classic Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber, also known as The Story of the Stone.

The novel, written by Cao Xueqin, has been acclaimed as one of the greatest works of world literature.

Through the tragic love story of Jia Baoyu and two young women, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai, Cao chronicled the rise and fall of four of the wealthiest families in 18th-century China.

Hu's adaptation follows Jia and Lin as they meet Xue at the Jia Mansion, where they experience the complexities of human emotions and witness the struggles of a once-mighty family's decline.

Hu's film focuses on the so-called "gold and jade" marriage between Jia and Xue, which was arranged by their families. "This so-called 'golden and jade' marriage is, in reality, false, tragic and destructive to human nature. This is the critical theme of our film," Hu said.

However, adapting such a literary masterpiece is no easy task. The novel's vast scope, enigmatic writing style and profound cultural influence — combined with the enduring legacy of the beloved 1987 TV adaptation — set an exceptionally high bar.

As soon as Hu's adaptation premiered, it faced a wave of criticism. Many were disappointed that the director simplified the complex novel, which includes hundreds of characters and explores themes of politics, morality and mysticism, by focusing mainly on the romance between Jia and Lin.

Hu, however, stands by her creative vision. "There's a saying that goes, 'There are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes.' Similarly, a thousand people have their own interpretations of Dream of the Red Chamber," she told the media. "I hope to spark further interest in more works related to the novel."

For many attendees, the Hollywood debut of the film was more than just a screening — it was a cultural exchange.

"Through the medium of cinema, it conveys the essence of beautiful traditional Chinese culture to overseas audiences, serving as an important window for them to understand Chinese heritage while also promoting cultural exchange between China and the US," audience member Julie Newsman told China Daily.

Jimmy Delshad, former mayor of Beverly Hills, praised the film's emotional depth. "It was very emotional, so I loved it, even though I couldn't catch up with the subtitles fast enough," he said.

While applauding the film's production value, including its cinematography and performances, Emmy Award-winning director and producer Georges Chamchoum suggested that the screenplay could have been stronger.

renali@chinadailyusa.com