China Remembers Deng Xiaoping on Anniversary of Death

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, February 20, 2003

China Remembers Deng Xiaoping on Anniversary of Death

A two-hour film that took nine years to film on the legendary 93-year life of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping debuted Wednesday in China on the anniversary of his death in 1997.

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Film "Deng Xiaoping" Makes Debut in Jiangsu

A two-hour film that took nine years to film on the legendary 93-year life of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping debuted Wednesday in China on the anniversary of his death in 1997.

When the screenplay writers and producers began their work on the film, Deng was still alive. But when it was finished, the " architect of China's reform and opening up" had been dead for six years.

Though challenged by some Hollywood and Hong Kong-produced blockbusters, "Deng Xiaoping" still drew large audiences to cinemas in major cities across the country.

The biggest cinema in the southern metropolis Guangzhou, Tianhe Cinema Center, was 80 percent full.

Guangzhou is the capital of south China's Guangdong Province, which has prospered for more than 20 years thanks to the reform and opening up policy put forward in 1978 by Deng, who served as China's vice-premier from 1977-1980.

"The historical film will spark a new surge in China's film market, judging from its distribution," said Zhao Jun, deputy general manager of the Guangdong Provincial Cinema Corporation.

The film, for the first time, recreated the last 20 years of the life of the man whose contributions to China in fields including politics, economy, culture and diplomacy saw him named "1985 Man of the Year" by Time magazine.

Deng's call for reform and opening up included a series of measures closely linked to people's lives: the educated youth who had been sent by Chairman Mao Zedong to work in the countryside returned to the cities, the university entrance examination was reinstated, the land contracting system giving more freedoms to farmers was introduced and special economic zones were established.

In particular, Deng made his famous speaking tour of the south in 1992 which greatly further emancipated Chinese minds and advanced China's economy.

Film critics in Guangzhou said viewers will expect more from this film since Deng wielded his strongest influence on China during his late years, compared with other films about Deng mainly focusing on his activities in the time of war.

Many moviegoers, who lived through that era, felt strong emotions when watching the film's portrayal of how those policies were made.

"I can see myself in the film," said 35-year-old Zhao Dong, who admitted breaking into tears several times during the show. "One of the scenes was students from Beijing University holding up a banner saying 'Hello, Xiaoping!' during a parade in 1984 when I was a student at the university."

The film starts in the 1970s when Chinese were not allowed to choose their hairstyle, clothes or even occupations, and it ends with Deng strolling in his backyard after his retirement, a time when Chinese began to enjoy much more freedom and have more wealth.

Other places across China also commemorated the sixth anniversary of Deng's death. In China's boomtown and first special economic zone Shenzhen which borders Hong Kong, many citizens laid wreaths at the foot of Deng's bronze statue.

"Though Deng failed to witness himself Hong Kong's return to the motherland, his great concept of 'one country, two systems' has been realized," said Hong Kong businessman Yeh Fai.

A viewer wrote down his thoughts after seeing "Deng Xiaoping":

"China will be challenged by new problems following its accession to the World Trade Organization and as the world changes, but Deng's courage to make breakthroughs and his flexible ways will benefit China forever."

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