Editor's note: This is a nostalgic theater.
foreword
In recent years, "The Legend of Zhen Huan" has always been the darling of various video sites, and there are endless interpretations and jokes about it. The hottest meme right now is "Baojuan, my voice".
The everlasting popularity of "The Legend of Zhen Huan" is of course inseparable from factors such as exquisite makeup and perfect casting, but in the final analysis, the profound conception and sublimation of the script are the key. "Women's love, hatred, love, hatred, rise and fall, honor and disgrace are hard to control, and they are firmly locked on the shackles of the feudal monarchy." This level of intention makes "Zhen Huan Biography" a leader in historical romance dramas.
But when it comes to historical romance dramas, although "Zhen Huan" is wonderful, it is inevitably inferior, because twenty years ago, the originator of this genre had already stood at the peak early.
This is "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang", which was first broadcast in 2002 and became popular all over the country.
Stills of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang"
one
As a leader in TV dramas, "The Legend of Zhen Huan" has indeed led a trend, which is called: the heroine. (Although it is not a typical heroine itself, and has no intention of leading this trend). After that, the heroine's dramas emerged in an endless stream.
However, all of these dramas were driven high and low, devoted to production and then hit the street with all their strength. In the final analysis, they did not understand what a "big heroine" is.
And 20 years ago, "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" had already given the answer.
"The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" completely takes Xiaozhuang as the absolute protagonist. From the innocent girl with cardamom, to the youth involved in fate, to the young man who holds great power and assists the emperor, all events revolve around her. As sung in the opening song: "You stand among thousands of people and feel the glory."
Stills of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang"
From Dayuer to Concubine Zhuang to Xiaozhuang, the costumes of these images are even unmatched by other characters. Even in one episode, Da Yuer had to change several sets of clothes and accessories.
Even Ning Jing, who played Dayuer, had to complain about the many lines and complicated modeling of this role before taking on the role.
It seems that all the focus is on Da Yuer. With such a heroine, it is only natural that the plot revolves around her. She wants to make friends with the world's number one lobbyist and adviser, she wants to solve the problems that everyone can't solve, and she wants to be like a fish in water in the play.
However, I did not see these in "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang".
Da Yuer's life is full of helplessness.
Stills of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang"
She wanted to marry her beloved Dorgon, but Dorgon was framed to death; she endured humiliation and married Huang Taiji to avenge her lover, but Dorgon narrowly escaped on the day of marriage.
She is ready to accept fate and fall in love with Huang Taiji, but because of her past with Dorgon, Huang Taiji loves and hates her; thing.
When she got rid of Huang Taiji, she could finally meet her childhood lover Dorgon, but their identities had already put countless shackles on them. The two have a sincere heart in their hearts, but they can only meet each other through tactics, scheming, and fighting.
Stills of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang"
She didn't stand on the cusp of the storm and hold the sun and the moon tightly to rotate. On the contrary, she was pushed and rotated by everything, and she couldn't help herself.
It's empty to have the role of the leading heroine, but not the coolness of the leading heroine.
But it was such a drama that many viewers shed tears when they watched Changhong.
Because it really captures the true meaning of the heroine drama.
two
This truth is: There is no such thing as a heroine, but a person who is involved in the trend of history like a duckweed.
The main line of the story of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" focuses on the period before the Qing Dynasty entered the customs and until Emperor Kangxi ascended the throne. It was a time when the country was founded and the times were treacherous. The fate of the country and the nation is still unpredictable, let alone a small person. No matter whether he is rich or poor, brave or cowardly, intelligent or dull, under the vicissitudes of history, he cannot control his own destiny.
Stills of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang"
"The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" is unfolded from such a perspective. Although there are many scenes in Xiaozhuang, they are mixed in the important affairs of the family and the country. A slight change in history is enough to turn her world upside down.
Helplessness is rejected by all major heroine dramas, but helplessness just makes the role of Da Yuer extremely full.
The word helplessness lifted the heavy historical veil on Da Yuer, and made all audiences empathize with Da Yuer's fate.
At the same time, Da Yuer's helplessness in the ups and downs of history also makes other characters extremely full. Although "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" is called a secret history, it was filmed according to the spirit of the main drama. Huang Taiji's ambition and love for his sons and daughters, Dorgon's humiliation and infatuation, all of which are attached to the ups and downs of history.
Stills of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang"
Even the supporting roles in it are full and abnormal. Empress Zhezhe and Huang Taiji are deeply affectionate husband and wife, Su Morer is eccentric and affectionate, and even Duduo, who has a fiery temper, reveals his true feelings and tears because he misses his mother. Even Daishan, the Prince of Li, who didn't have many roles, showed the depth of being old and heartbroken when he killed his relatives in righteousness.
"The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" has devoted a lot of thought to the portrayal of everyone in it. Not only worked hard on the plot, but also worked hard on costume makeup.
The costume makeup of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" was very bold at the time. It not only restored it, but also made a lot of innovative designs, trying to fit the character's state. For example, Dorgon's military uniform has many variations. These shapes do not seem outdated now.
Around 2002, blue eye shadow was extremely popular, which is also reflected in the play. In order to highlight Su More'er's character, she painted this eye shadow on almost the whole process. This kind of eye shadow only appeared on Da Yuer's face a few times, only when she showed her girlish demeanor.
Stills of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang"
"Secret History of Xiaozhuang" is dedicated to portraying all the characters, which makes this drama more attractive, and on the contrary, it highlights the charm of the protagonist Dayuer.
And these characters are the same as Da Yuer. Although they may be the creators of Da Yuer's misfortune, they are also helpless historical duckweeds. Everyone collided with each other in the tide, which led to many misfortunes.
Among them, Huang Taiji's inner monologue when he rode his horse and galloped before his death can be said to elevate the artistic conception of the play again. At that moment, he was no longer an emperor, but an ordinary person, which made people feel emotional.
Stills of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang"
"The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" is full of compassion. This kind of compassion is not given to other supporting characters by the protagonist or the author, but more like history bestows on the protagonist and everyone. No matter the emperor, general or minister, master or servant, proud or frustrated, they are all ordinary people here, full of helplessness and adrift.
It's just that this time the eyes just happened to focus on Xiaozhuang-Da Yu'er.
This kind of realm is incomparable to any major heroine drama that overrides history for the sake of pleasure. Even "The Legend of Zhen Huan" can hardly compete with it.
The same is the relationship between uncle and sister-in-law, Zhen Huan and King Guo are very different from Dayuer and Dorgon.
It is precisely because of such jewels and jades that when I watch "The Legend of Zhen Huan", it is always difficult for me to stick to the second half.
three
Also a little more verbose.
From the 1990s to the early 2000s, it was the peak period of cross-strait film and television cooperation, and many excellent works were born during this period. However, there are many examples of cooperation failures, because the concepts and styles of the two sides of the strait are too different, and it is difficult to reconcile.
"The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" also faced such a problem at the time. As the male and female protagonists, Tranquility and Ma Jingtao have very different performance styles, and it is difficult to get together, so many conflicts broke out.
But I have to say that although Ma Jingtao is known as the roaring leader, his performance skills are unparalleled by others. In the outdoor scene of the courtyard, when the sound was recorded on the spot, Ma Jiaozhu was more than ten meters away from the sound receiver, and the sound could still be loud and clear.
Stills of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang"
Compared with him, other actors can't keep up. When Ma Jingtao played with Xiao Yu'er, he even deliberately lowered his voice. Because the actor who plays Xiao Yuer is not strong enough, it is a bit embarrassing to convey his feelings. If Ma Jingtao uses too much force, he will become a "domestic violence scene".
Except for Ma Jingtao, the rest of the actors are also top-level configuration. Top performers such as Liu Dekai and Wu Qianqian all came to do the supporting role, and even teacher He Saifei also contributed the stunt of "Excellent Art and Three Cries".
Under such a golden lineup, it is generally difficult for anyone to stand up to it, and it is even more difficult to make the leading actress outshine everyone.
However, such a lineup met tranquility. Tranquility at that time was just amazing in "Sunny Day" a few years ago. At that time, it was nearly 30 years old, but it was able to show Da Yuer's girlhood, youth, and adulthood with its own characteristics, and it was not inferior to Ma Jingtao and others. A lot of old drama.
Stills of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang"
However, due to the different styles of the two places, shooting encountered difficulties. The director had a whim, and first filmed the conflict between Da Yuer and Dorgon, and waited until the actors got in touch with each other before starting to film the romantic relationship.
The embarrassment of inconsistent styles became an emotional boost for the shooting. The collision of ideas between the two sides of the strait just vividly shows the ups and downs of history in the play, and the state of people colliding and squeezing each other like duckweed. If you change the situation and change the combination, it may not have a similar effect.
Therefore, in addition to a lot of hard work, the classic of "The Secret History of Xiaozhuang" is also driven by many wonderful coincidences, which are short-lived and difficult to replicate.
The same is true of other classics. Like drinking old wine, the more you drink, the less it becomes, and the more you drink, the more precious it becomes.
