(ANN/CHINA DAILY) – In the world of Peking Opera, few stories have endured as powerfully as Suo Lin Nang (The Embroidered Purse), a poignant tale of compassion, resilience, and the unyielding power of kindness.
First brought to life in 1940 through the collaboration of Peking Opera master Cheng Yanqiu and playwright Weng Ouhong, this masterpiece remains a cornerstone of the Cheng school of performance, captivating audiences with its artistry and enduring moral lessons.
At its heart, Suo Lin Nang tells the story of Xue Xiangling, the privileged daughter of a wealthy family, whose act of selflessness alters the course of her life.
On the day of her wedding, her mother gifts her a purse filled with precious jewels, a symbol of love and prosperity.
However, as she travels to the ceremony, a sudden downpour forces her to seek refuge in a pavilion. There, she encounters Zhao Shouzhen, a fellow bride overcome with tears over her destitution. Moved by Zhao’s plight, Xue gifts her the jewelled purse, an act of generosity that sows the seeds of future redemption.
Years later, Xue’s fortune takes a devastating turn when a flood separates her from her family. Reduced to working as a maid in a stranger’s home, she is stunned to discover the very purse she once gave away.
The mistress of the house turns out to be Zhao Shouzhen, who, now prosperous, recognises her benefactor and ensures Xue’s eventual reunion with her loved ones. The story’s message is clear: kindness begets kindness, and acts of goodwill can bridge even the widest divides.
Decades after its debut, the story continues to find new audiences. Most recently, a remarkable collaboration brought Suo Lin Nang to the silver screen, ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.
Over three years, Shanghai Film Group, the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, Shanghai Media Group, and the Capital Jinghu Arts Research Association worked tirelessly to adapt this opera for cinema. At the forefront of the production was Zhang Huoding, a celebrated Peking Opera artist and a leading exponent of the Cheng style, whose performance breathes new life into this timeless tale.
The film Suo Lin Nang, or The Kylin Purse, made its Beijing premiere at the China National Film Museum on December 27.
“This year marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of Cheng Yanqiu. The Cheng-style influence is profound and the master’s thoughts and spirit continue to enlighten future generations,” Zhang, also a professor at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, said at the premiere.
According to her, the film captures the classic stage production through visual storytelling, serving as a tribute to and remembrance of Peking Opera predecessors. “I sincerely hope that the Cheng style continues to thrive and the master’s art will endure,” she added.
At the premiere, director Teng Junjie, vice-president of the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles, said that during the filmmaking process, he was moved by the professionalism and pursuit of excellence demonstrated by the Peking Opera artists.
Teng recalls filming during the coldest winter months along the coast of Zhejiang province, but the artists, exemplified by Zhang, gritted their teeth and overcame the difficulties while working more than 10 hours a day.
“Zhang insisted on canceling the trailer we booked for her to save our limited budget to improve the film’s quality,” Teng said.
Another example of this camaraderie is that while some supporting actors had limited scenes, they insisted on staying on the set, offering to help in any way they could.
“With 8K resolution, this film is presented to today’s audience with the clearest images, the most saturated colors, and the most precise combination of camera movement and structure,” Teng says.
This film is made for today and the future, he added.
“With this film, we pay tribute to Cheng Yanqiu, our national treasure Peking Opera, and the excellent contemporary performers of the Cheng style who have been working hard to pass down the art form,” Teng said.
In 2014, the film concept was included in the Peking Opera Film Project, initiated in 2011 to preserve outstanding stage productions through cinematic techniques. It later received support from the China National Arts Fund, which was approved by the State Council in late 2013.
The completion of The Kylin Purse highlights that all 21 films listed in the project have been produced, with Shanghai Film Group having filmed and produced six.
Last June, the film made its Shanghai premiere at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival.
In November, it was screened at the 9th edition of the festival of traditional Chinese operas in Paris and won one of its top prizes.
The China National Film Museum has entered all 21 films from the project into its archives and established a permanent exhibition themed on the project.
“The Kylin Purse is a highly acclaimed classic in the Peking Opera scene,” says Huang Xiaowei, the museum’s curator.
“Its script upholds long-standing values such as justice and gratitude. With the distinctive Cheng singing style, especially under the superb performance of Zhang Huoding, the production has remarkable artistic depth and appeal,”Huang adds.
She stresses the vital role Peking Opera played in China’s cinematic history, as the first-ever Chinese film Dingjun Mountain, released in 1905, was a recording of veteran Peking Opera artist Tan Xinpei performing.
“The exhibition themed on the Peking Opera Film Project has expanded and enriched our museum’s film collection. It has taken on an integral role in showcasing the achievements of Chinese cinema,”Huang added.
