On November 23, the art biopic "The Hermit's Rivers and Mountains" starring composer Chen Qigang premiered in Beijing. A reporter from The Paper noticed that the blue design of the premiere venue had a special meaning—blue not only brings peace but also symbolizes depth and infinity. This carefully crafted blue space, like a spiritual island in the bustling city, reflected the film's philosophical theme of "retreating to the mountains and rivers," and offered a profound release and healing for the tense nerves of modern people.
Photos from the Beijing premiere
Many audience members expressed that the two-hour screening was like a deep "soul massage," noting that "after the movie, I found my breathing had slowed down without me even realizing it." This premiere marks the beginning of the film's journey from universities to a wider audience, officially launching its nationwide city roadshow. The film will be available to a wider audience on November 25th through the National Alliance of Arthouse Cinemas' online platform.
"The Hermit's Rivers and Mountains" is an art biographical film that delves into the spiritual world of Chen Qigang. Filmed across multiple locations including Suichang in Lishui, Zhejiang, Beijing, Paris, the Netherlands, Wales, Sydney, and Melbourne, the film records precious live performances of Chen Qigang's works by dozens of world-class musicians. Audiences will have the opportunity to witness dozens of world-class musicians, including Gautier Capuçon, Maxim Vengerov, Alison Balson, Lang Lang, and Yu Long, performing with top-notch orchestras. Several of his works will also be performed live for the first time on the big screen.
After watching the film for the first time, Chen Xiaoduo, the singer of the end credits song, exclaimed: "An unexpected masterpiece, a harmonious blend that fits perfectly. The unspoken emotions in every frame and the flow of every transition match the boundless landscapes in Chen Qigang's music that defy words."
Guo Xufeng
Director Guo Xufeng explained the original intention of this creation: "Many people think of Chen Qigang as a music master, but in the film, he is more like us. He admits his own stupidity and perseveres in loneliness and struggle. He answers a question that we should all ask ourselves in his own way: When the world is noisy and moving forward, how should we return to our own world?"
Dong Mei, a professor at the School of Humanities and a scholar of classical literature at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, commented on her viewing experience: "For me, the greatest significance of Mr. Chen Qigang lies in the fact that he is a contemporary life case that we can see. In the contemporary environment, in our current situation, it turns out that people can exist in this way." Dong Mei specifically mentioned a touching detail in the film: "Professor Chen Qigang would see each participant off after the workshop. This attitude of sharing life experience without reservation embodies the spirit of a true teacher. Just like Confucius said, 'I am only a day older than you'—I have gained experience and learned lessons before you."
During the discussion, writer and screenwriter Miao Wei expressed his expectations for the film's artistic merit: "Documentaries have two attributes: one is the attribute of the medium, and the other is the work of art itself. I hope the director can be more courageous in presenting it as a work of art."
In response, the director said on set: "My original intention seven years ago was to pass on and share the spirit of Chen Qigang, so that the film could achieve a proper balance between artistry and functionality. At first, I went to Mr. Chen hoping to find answers from him. But after seven years, I found that there are no standard answers. My conclusion is that everyone can only walk their own path. Because everyone's educational background and growth environment are different."
It is particularly worth mentioning that although Chen Qigang himself was unable to attend the screening, an audio recording played afterward still allowed everyone to feel his integrity and spirit—in 1977, Chen Qigang was admitted to the Composition Department of the Central Conservatory of Music, graduating five years later with top honors. This audio recording was a long, heartfelt message from him, as the "senior brother," to his current juniors in the Composition Department of the Central Conservatory of Music:
“I’m not really suited for video calls (with you guys). Actually, I’m a bit out of breath when I talk. This has been going on for five or six years. I always held onto the hope that I could get better, but it was a fight-and-retreat process until I reached this state today. It’s actually been very difficult, and I’ve been quite frustrated. I’m not like the person you see in the video, who was chubby, even in the video when I was lecturing in the workshop, with those fleshy cheeks, looking like a big fat pig. I’m completely different now, and because of all the medications I’m taking, which are all harmful to my body…”
"Everyone has just seen this movie. If we want to share some experiences with the audience, it's not about what I did, but how I did it. That's the most important thing. Times have changed. What I did is not something you can actually learn from or share. But what you can learn is an independent, self-reliant, free, and open mind and spirit. This is a way of life that you can learn from."
"There must be some outstanding students in your class, right? You're not one of the outstanding students, and you might even be the one lagging behind in the class, but that's okay. Just be yourself, because what you're writing is the voice of your heart, and what you're doing is your own thing."
"To become a composer, you must first become a unique person. This is not arrogance, but a necessary condition. To do this, you must endure hardship. If you have never experienced hardship, whether it is mental or material, you simply cannot become a composer."
(Ms. Gao Ranran also provided assistance in writing this article.)
Movie poster for "The Hidden Mountains and Rivers"