The film "The Great Teacher Yan Xiu" tells the story of the founding of Nankai University from the perspective of its founder, Yan Xiu, and it premiered this year on Teachers' Day. On September 18, a screening event was held by the Nankai University Shanghai Alumni Association, where director Hong Baosheng and actors Li Jianxin, Yang Jing, and Liu Xin attended a post-screening meeting to interact with the audience.
Poster for "The Great Teacher Yan Xiu"
Bringing the History of Nankai Education to the Silver Screen
This year marks the 120th anniversary of Nankai Middle School and the 105th anniversary of Nankai University. Director Hong Baosheng revealed in an interview with The Paper that the film went through several twists and turns from its preparation to its release; initially, there was no intention to align with the anniversary celebrations. However, by fortunate coincidence, it was released in the year of the school's significant anniversary, which makes it a delightful gift for both Nankai Middle School and Nankai University, celebrated together with students.
The film depicts a generation of intellectuals led by Mr. Yan Xiu over a century ago, during the Late Qing Dynasty, a time plagued by decaying thoughts under feudal oppression. They introduced Western learning to abolish the imperial examination system, forging a path for national salvation and founding a series of Nankai schools, thereby promoting the development of education in China. It showcases his loyalty, dedication, and patriotic spirit towards education, as well as his exceptional contributions to the modernization of Chinese education.
Director Hong Baosheng
Director Hong Baosheng has previously created biopics on historical figures like Huang Yanpei and Zhang Boling. When discussing the portrayal and adaptation of historical characters, he stated that the film adheres to the principle of "big events not exaggerated, small events not rigid." The creative team started researching the history of Yan Xiu's founding of Nankai in 2010, aiming to compile all available verifiable materials. "We aimed to gather everything we could verify," Hong explained. The research encompassed Yan Xiu's own diaries, interviews with surviving family members, and discussions with individuals who had interacted with him, as well as involving Nankai alumni and experts in related historical studies to create a multi-dimensional verification, "The volume of this material is substantial, and the connections between the characters are intricate. We then structured it into a narrative pace that would be more easily accepted by the audience."
Still from "The Great Teacher Yan Xiu"
The Educational Spirit of a Century-Old Legacy Still Holds Significance Today
Actor Li Jianxin commented, "The Nankai series of schools was one of the first to be destroyed during the Japanese invasion of China. At the time Mr. Yan established the school, it was also a perilous period due to Western imperialist invasions, and he viewed education as his lifelong commitment."
Mr. Yan Xiu is revered as the founding father of Nankai. As a beneficiary of the imperial examination system, he devoted himself to education reform for the nation's prosperity. Despite suffering the loss of a child, he remained dedicated to frontline education, advocating the educational philosophy of "valuing the public, martial prowess, and practicality," which subsequently evolved into the current motto of Nankai University: "Yun Gong Yun Neng, Ri Xin Yue Yi." He supported individuals such as Mr. Zhou Enlai in studying Western thoughts abroad, truly embodying the title of founding father of Nankai.
Li Jianxin as Yan Xiu
Yang Jing, who previously acted in "The Family of Golden Powder" and "Empresses in the Palace," plays Yan Xiu's wife, Li Chunjiu, in this film. Yang expressed that it was a privilege as a native of Tianjin to contribute even a small part to Nankai and hopes the film will allow more people to understand the spirit of Nankai, ensuring its legacy endures through generations.
Liu Xin portrays the "villain" Samuha, marking a new attempt and breakthrough in his acting career. "Director Hong told me to try to shape the character; Samuha in the film has a certain artistic nuance and embellishment, but to me, this represents the various difficulties and challenges faced by Mr. Yan when he abolished the imperial examination system, with traditionalists everywhere creating obstacles for him," Liu candidly critiqued his character, eliciting laughter from the audience. "It's precisely because such characters exist that it highlights the hardships Mr. Yan faced during the process of educational reform in China. I hope this film can infuse a refreshing current into today's society, promote the spirit of Yan Xiu, and enhance education for the prosperity of our country."
Still from "The Great Teacher Yan Xiu"
In the establishment of the Nankai series of schools, Yan Xiu invested immense effort. He tirelessly sought funding and personally participated in the planning and construction of the schools, nearly exhausting his family fortune. Regarding Yan Xiu's choices in the film, director Hong Baosheng expressed deep respect. "As a favored child of the imperial examination, he could have held a high official position and enjoyed wealth and glory, yet he still risked execution to save the nation. His selflessness is remarkable."
From its inception in 2015 to its release nearly a decade later, the difficulties encountered during filming allowed Director Hong to deeply appreciate the challenges of founding Nankai: "I hope not only the people of Nankai but also the general public can feel the spirit of educators and patriots through this film."
At the same time, Director Hong Baosheng noted that the film, positioned in today’s context, holds both historical significance and transcendent spiritual value. "Nowadays, there are increasing numbers of refined egoists and selfish individuals, leaving little concern for the public. Mr. Yan's greatest strength lies in his selflessness. I hope everyone can watch this film, and not only understand history but also experience an inspirational spirit."
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