On October 23, a creative symposium for the TV drama City of Sunshine was held in Beijing.
The production team introduced that City of Sunshine is the first contemporary urban drama set in Tibet, achieving a cumulative viewership of 223 million. The unique natural scenery and cultural atmosphere of Tibet depicted in the show have attracted many viewers. During the airing period, it boosted Lhasa's tourism, welcoming 1.9891 million domestic and international visitors, marking a year-on-year increase of 7.45%.
Still from City of Sunshine
City of Sunshine tells the story of six young individuals, represented by Suolang, as they search for themselves and pursue their dreams in the vibrant land of Tibet. It is an exceptional television drama created with the theme from the National Radio and Television Administration, in collaboration with the Propaganda Department of the Hunan Provincial Committee and the Propaganda Department of the Tibet Autonomous Region, reflecting the life of the Tibetan people in the new era, and it passionately portrays the ordinary yet fervent lives of the masses.
Scene from the symposium
He Hui, Deputy Minister of the Hunan Provincial Propaganda Department and Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Hunan Provincial Radio and Television Bureau, stated that City of Sunshine reflects the development of New Era Tibet from the perspective of the common people, showcasing a true image of various ethnic groups closely united like pomegranate seeds, telling warm and inspirational stories of happiness and struggle among the people, while presenting the magnificent scenery of Tibet's expansive skies and drifting clouds.
Liao Ken, the Executive Deputy Minister of the Propaganda Department of the Tibet Autonomous Region and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Tibet Daily, believes that City of Sunshine displays the natural beauty, cultural richness, and development of Tibet, showcasing the Tibetan people's love for and pursuit of a beautiful life, allowing the world to see a genuine, multi-dimensional, and vibrant New Tibet.
When discussing insights gained from the storytelling, experts at the meeting expressed that City of Sunshine provides its own exploration within the realm of ethnic-themed film and television creation.
Li Jingsheng, Vice President of the Chinese Broadcasting and Television Social Organizations Union, pointed out that City of Sunshine offers a new approach to ethnic-themed creation by focusing on modern life and the New Era. By appreciating the beauty of landscapes and cultural items, the series discovers the beauty of lifestyles and human emotions, organically merging film and cultural tourism.
Gao Xiaoli, a critic from the Literary and Art Report and Deputy Director of the Audiovisual Committee of the Beijing Association of Literary and Art Critics, emphasized that as a Tibetan-themed series, City of Sunshine allows viewers to experience the liveliness of Lhasa, the City of Sunshine, while being deeply moved by the enchanting landscapes, culture, and genuine human feelings of the snow-covered plateau.
Lu Rong, a professor at the School of Theatre and Film of Communication University of China, mentioned that the biggest characteristic of City of Sunshine is that it enriches the creative spectrum of the snowy plateau with new vocabulary drawn from everyday life, delving into the local experiences of Lhasa residents and entering unique locales such as Barkhor Street and Gajil Courtyard, presenting a more relatable perspective of present-day Lhasa to the audience.
Zhong Chengxiang, a member of the Central Institute of Literature and History and a literary critic, believes that City of Sunshine rejects a sensationalist mindset and presents a level gaze at New Tibet. This is of symbolic significance in the realm of Tibetan-themed Chinese television dramas, and it should be regarded as an important subject of aesthetic consideration by scholars committed to the study of Chinese television history.
Still from City of Sunshine
During the symposium, the creative team of City of Sunshine thoughtfully reflected on their three-year journey of creation, sharing insights gained throughout the production. Producer Zhang Xiaoxi reminisced about the collection of stories and challenges encountered during filming in Tibet: the crew traveled across Lhasa's three districts and five counties, interviewing 132 individuals from various age groups and occupations, covering a total distance of 4,126 kilometers, with more than 1 million words in interview notes. From Lhasa at 3,650 meters above sea level to Dangxiong at 4,700 meters, and finally to Gangba at 5,250 meters, the crew completed filming every scene under conditions close to the human body's limits, striving to present an authentic portrayal of Tibet.
Screenwriter Yu Xiaoqian discussed the creation of City of Sunshine, stating, "Flowers bloom everywhere in the land," and that there are still many compelling characters and stories waiting for creators to explore; works filled with warmth and affection will inevitably find a connection with appreciative audiences. Leading actor Zhou You committed himself to portraying Suolang, a young Tibetan man, by immersing himself in the Tibetan culture, learning the Tibetan language, and experiencing daily life to accurately represent the character's true essence. The actor playing Quzong, Wang Zhuocuo, meticulously simulated and designed every word and action to authentically showcase the goodness, beauty, and sincerity of Tibetan women.
Still from City of Sunshine