Film tribute to novelist is a dream for theatergoers

As a tribute to mark the 310th anniversary of the birth of literary master Cao Xueqin, a period romance film exploring his emotional world will be released in theaters across China on Jan 16.

The 90-minute film, Qingyuan Cao Xueqin (The Passions of Cao Xueqin), is written and directed by Mei Zi, with Ouyang Fenqiang — best known for portraying Jia Baoyu in the classic 1987 adaptation of Dream of the Red Chamber — serving as executive producer.

Set during the novelist's life in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), the film recounts his relationships with three women while also depicting his close friendships, using cinematography to explore the creative inspirations behind Dream of the Red Chamber, hailed as one of China's Four Great Classical Novels.

A notable highlight is the inclusion of several actors from the beloved 1987 TV series Dream of the Red Chamber, one of the most revered screen adaptations of Cao's novel.

Among them are Gao Hongliang, who played the wealthy philanderer Jia Lian; Yuan Mei, who portrayed Xiren, Jia Baoyu's trusted maid; and Shen Lin, who played Ping'er, chief maid to Wang Xifeng.

Director and screenwriter Mei Zi said that she has been captivated by Cao's life and legacy for over 40 years. Her first related work was the four-episode TV drama Cao Xueqin Mengduan Xishan (Cao Xueqin: Dream Broken at the Western Hills), which aired on China Central Television in 1987.

Considering the upcoming movie as a "breakthrough" in the history of films and TV dramas about Cao, Zhao Jianzhong, vice-president of the Society of Dream of the Red Chamber, commended the film for drawing inspiration from academic research and skillfully interweaving historical accounts with elements from the original novel, resulting in a creative retelling of the literary master's story.