Chen's own life has been neither as happy nor as carefree as the lives of his characters. He was born in Beijing in 1952, the son of a well-known filmmaker. During the Cultural Revolution he was sent down to the countryside for "re-education". At the age of 15 he became a member of the Red Guard and denounced his own father. That was his entry into a system rigidly controlled by the Communist Party. In 1978 the young Chen enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy. Among his classmates were Zhang Yimou and Tian Zhuangzhuang. The talented group who studied in the academy during this period came to be known as the Fifth Generation.
Chen Kaige plays Professor Yu opposite wife Chen Hong as Lili in Together.
Photo by Zhao Hong Yang.
Chen Kaige points out, without some ambivalence, that China has changed much in the past twenty years. The dream of an idealized communist society has been hijacked by the popular hunger for material wealth. But totalitarian tendencies remain, including censorship of films deemed to promote values that undermine socialist ideals. In other words, a Chinese filmmaker best tread carefully when dealing with themes that might seem critical of the powers that be.
Together traces the intense but evolving relationship between father Liu Cheng (Liu Peiqi) and son Xiaochun (Tang Yun).
Photo by Zhao Hong Yang.
The topic of censorship heralds a momentary hush while Chen summons up words that do justice to both his desire for candor and his reluctance to jeopardize his privileged place in Chinese society. With the confidential air of a mob boss who suspects the room is bugged, Chen leans in and lowers his voice to little more than a whisper. For a change, he does not seem completely at ease. He has experienced censorship. Temptress Moon was banned in China for its political and erotic themes. Farewell My Concubine too had initially been banned.
"Yes, we do have censorship," Chen begins. "It doesn't make sense, but it is what it is. We have to deal with this all the time, but I think the officials [who review films] become more understanding the more we talk to them. They just want respect."
CONTINUED BELOW
These days censorship isn't Chen's foremost concern. Like any filmmaker working in a market economy, he must consider a film's economic prospects. Even his stature as a giant of international cinema doesn't make him flop-proof. Killing Me Softly (2001), Chen's English crossover bid, did not impress critics and did poorly at the box office.
In addition to playing Lili in Together, Chen Hong also co-produced her husband's film.
Photo by Zhao Hong Yang.
"The story of Killing Me Softly is over," says Chen with finality. His expression doesn't invite more questions along that line. "I did what I could with it." But he does feel obliged to add, perhaps with a touch of reluctance, that it was a good learning experience and that he had good working relationships with cast and crew. He has been approached to helm Hollywood projects, but is not tempted to take on another specfically for U.S. audiences.
"I've been given a lot of scripts for my consideration but I don't like that kind of formulaic approach to filmaking."
With Together Chen Kaige shows that he is no longer interested in following even his own formula which has served him so well for the past two decades.
