The TV series "Memory's Proof," directed by Yang Yang, is adapted from Xu Guangshun and Huang Renke’s lengthy novel "The World Has No End." It tells the true story of a group of Chinese war prisoners and laborers, captured and taken to Japan's Kunchin Island for military base construction during the end of World War II, who rise against humiliation to defend their dignity. The series won first prize for long TV dramas at the 25th "Feitian Awards" in China, and Yang Yang received the Excellent Director Award while Xu Guangshun, Yang Zihe, Fan Xin, Liu Shujie, and Huang Renke were awarded for Outstanding Screenplay.

The drama is currently being aired on the "Revisiting Classics" channel. We are republishing an article by Director Yang Yang featured in the 2005 second issue of "China Television," which discusses the creation of the series. This article aims to guide the audience in understanding the profound meaning behind the creation of this drama, touching on aspects such as character development, the narrative intertwining history and reality, and various rich cinematic techniques, allowing viewers to appreciate this artistic masterpiece.

The Memory of Suffering Will Never Sleep

In the face of our nation's painful history, memory is the responsibility of each individual. "A nation without memory has no future." Therefore, I am determined to transform this shocking novel, "The World Has No End," into what we see today, "Memory's Proof."

This TV series is a blend of passion and reason — the "past tense" parts are intense and weighty, while the "present tense" parts are delicate and rational. When portraying war, we prefer rational reflection over impulsive revenge, exploring through today’s lens how unjust wars distort and extinguish humanity.

Even though the smoke of war has long cleared, the memory of a suffering history will never sleep. The title "Memory's Proof" encapsulates the entire ideological essence of the work. A peaceful and prosperous era is worth cherishing, but we must not forget "to remain vigilant in times of peace." This is a timeless admonition derived from the cycles of rise and fall throughout thousands of years, and it forms the realistic significance of this work.

The Past as "Source," the Present as "Flow"

This drama "draws on ancient to speak of modern," with the script composed of two complete stories representing history and reality. The historical part is abbreviated as "past tense," and the realistic part as "present tense." These two sections do not connect in a conventional chronological order but rather alternate to present the storyline, thereby depicting the true trajectory of history. It is this convoluted complexity of history that enables the rectification and exploration of reality. Although artistic creation is not documentary record-keeping, it must embody a sense of "documentary realism," reflecting the authenticity created by art.

The "past tense" is the source, the backbone; thus, we first lead the audience into the historical time tunnel, allowing them to fully experience its darkness and oppression, suffocation and struggle, fury, and sorrow, resulting in an intense emotional shock.

The "present tense" is not merely an accumulation of life details; it seeks to interpret the philosophical reflections prompted by history and reality. One must recognize that war has always been a madness stemming from a loss of rationality, the calamities wrought by ignorance and greed. Meanwhile, peace is the product of human rationality and wisdom; therefore, the tone of the "present tense" is to excavate and showcase the brilliance of human reason and wisdom.

Interwoven Contradictions & Unpredictable Fate

In this drama, regardless of their class status or political inclination, the laborers—whatever their profession or temperament—find their individual destinies intertwined with the communal fate of their group. They face oppression and enslavement, humiliation and harm, and the peril of their nation. Naturally, this drama also presents various contradictions; it is precisely this intertwining of internal and external conflicts that complicates its plot, making the characters' fates unpredictable and enriching the ideological depth of the work.

The main conflict in the "past tense" essentially arises from resistance against plunder and enslavement, manifested through tension, conflict, rebellion, and slaughter, all embodying the righteous spirit of victims who bravely sacrifice themselves to fight for survival and dignity. The "present tense" undoubtedly focuses on examining history, a moral and ethical re-evaluation of the criminals. If the "past tense" determines the life or death of existence, then the "present tense" dictates whether justice prevails or disappears.

Unearthing Humanity Awakening Conscience

When crafting character portrayals, we don't engage in narrow expressions of historical grievances; instead, we emphasize revealing the true state of human nature and national identity under specific historical conditions, aiming to awaken conscience and rational reflection.

In this drama, all performances must start from character development, instilling a precise and vivid sense of time in the characters. This sense of time is not merely reflected on the surface; it focuses on depicting the spiritual temperament, behavioral logic, modes of thinking, and inner world of people under distinct historical conditions. Whether domestic or international actors, everyone’s creations must align with a profound exploration of human nature, with deeper excavation yielding more authenticity and, consequently, greater emotional resonance. Only in this way can character portrayals be formed from the inside out. Therefore, engaging in the excavation and presentation of genuine human nature will serve as the starting point, process, and ultimate goal of our character development.

Appreciating the Artistic Corridor Through Contrast and Movement

The entire work employs a rich variety of contrasts to create rhythm and melody; the more abundant the contrasts, the more diverse the artistic changes. Thus, the artistic value of this drama can be fully showcased. For instance, to illustrate the living conditions of the laborers, we contrast the ominous, murky, oppressive atmosphere of a cave project with the warm, sunlit scenery outside. The dark environment of the cave juxtaposes with the laborers' spiritual highlights, while the natural beauty of a paradisiacal landscape contrasts starkly with the twisted souls of the conquerors, creating a dual contrast effect that reveals the inequalities and injustices of the world.

The movement of the camera serves as a guide for the audience's visual experience, and through this artistic guidance, along with outstanding contributions from lighting, sound, music, and styling, audiences will find themselves engaged and captivated throughout this more than twenty-episode artistic corridor. "Memory's Proof" not only possesses thought-provoking content but also boasts high artistic standards.

Appendix: "What Does 'Memory's Proof' Prove?" — Director's Explanation of the TV Series "Memory's Proof," Author: Yang Yang, from the 2005 second issue of "China Television."