"The Story of Xigengtian" is a rural-themed TV series written and directed by Niu Jianrong and starred by Lin Yongjian. It won the first prize of the 27th China TV Drama "Flying Apsaras Award" for long-form TV series, and actor Lin Yongjian was nominated for the Outstanding Actor for his role as "Xigengtian". The play is based on the story of farmer Xigengtian returning to his hometown to farm after the central government exempted agricultural taxes in 2006, showing the vivid practice of the vast number of farmers in building a new socialist countryside under the leadership of the Party.
"The Story of Xi Gengtian" has been broadcast on the "Revisiting the Classics" channel. The China Television Art Committee specially invited Mr. Lin Yongjian, who plays Xi Gengtian in the play, to be interviewed to review the birth of this classic role and share his deep understanding of character creation.
01 When did you first start acting?
Lin Yongjian : In 1986, the Qingdao Drama Troupe was recruiting students, and at that time the troupe was only a 5-minute walk from my home. In order to work closer to home, my sister encouraged me to apply for the Qingdao Drama Troupe.
02 What was the opportunity that led you to participate in this TV series?
Lin Yongjian : I was filming in a mountain valley in Hebei Province when I suddenly received a call from a director who spoke Mandarin not very standard and wanted to work with me on a film. I asked him to show me the script first, and he insisted on coming to the mountain valley to find me in person to show his sincerity. The director was Niu Jianrong. I was moved by Niu's persistence and decided to take the role without even reading the script.
03 What preparations did you make to portray the character of "Xi Gengtian", a farmer from northwestern Shanxi?
Lin Yongjian: No matter where I act, I will go to the local farmers' market. Only in the farmers' market can I smell the local daily necessities and see the joys and sorrows of the local people.
Before I acted in "The Story of Xigengtian", I actually didn't have much experience of living in the countryside. So I went to the local area to experience rural life for a period of time in advance, to feel the farmers' mood, observe their every move, and imitate their living habits. I think this is a very interesting thing. It was in the farmers' market in Shanxi that I learned the Shanxi dialect, learned the strong earthy smell in my gestures, and grew a beard to make my appearance look more in line with the image of farmers at that time.
04 What influence did “The Story of Xigengtian” have on your subsequent performance creations?
Lin Yongjian : I don’t like to talk much in real life, but I have a great time acting in this drama. Sometimes when I feel like working in the fields, I feel that all the cells and blood in my body are surging. It’s so real and so enjoyable. This is probably the most attractive part of being an actor. I can satisfy myself through the creation of roles, which are unattainable in real life.
My profession is an actor, or in layman's terms, an actor. Acting means you have to act like what you are playing, and you have to create various roles. It doesn't matter if you can't remember my name, but if you can remember the characters I played, I will be very satisfied.
05 On the first anniversary of the launch of the "Revisit the Classics" channel, what are your expectations for the channel?
Lin Yongjian : Classic works have been precipitated and tested by time. They are all good works with vitality and warmth, and they are always new. The "Revisiting Classics" channel presents these excellent works to the audience, allowing more people to feel the charm of classics. This is a meaningful and long-term task.
I hope that the "Revisit the Classics" channel will become better and better, allowing more diverse classic literary and artistic works to enter the public's field of vision and bring touching and inspiration to more audiences.
Interviewed guest: Lin Yongjian (Vice Chairman of China Television Association, National First-Class Actor)
Editor of this article: Zhao Cong and Mao Yi
