The Golden Era

The Golden Era, directed by Ann Hui, is a radiant tapestry of culture, politics, literature, and identity. Released in 2014, the film stands as a captivating biography of one of China's unrecognized literary giants, Xiao Hong. This cinematic tribute is the amalgam of a fragmented script, lush cinematography, and sensitively drawn performances which offers a broad and nuanced picture of an exceptional woman who lived in a defining period of Chinese history.

Set between the 1920s and 1940s in a chaotic China, the film does an intricate depiction of the tumultuous period that led to Xiao Hong's emergence as a prolific writer. This period involved the ruthless invasion by Japan, the social unrest, and the on-going battle between communism and nationalism. The movie uses these historical touchstones to frame Xiao's life while tracing her journey from a quiet rural village in Manchuria to literary circles in urban Hong Kong.

The movie begins with Xiao Hong, played brilliantly by Tang Wei, being forced into a marriage by her family. But, traced by an indomitable spirit, she runs away, only to find herself stranded and pregnant in Harbin. It was here that Xiao reluctantly embarks on her literary pursuits, initially writing on the gentle nudges of Xiao Jun, a fellow writer portrayed by Feng Shaofeng.

The film skillfully shows how Xiao's relationship with Xiao Jun, first as a mentor and then as a lover, takes a dramatic turn, forcing her to move further towards the south. Overcoming adversity and embracing her independence, she finds herself in the cultural hub of Hong Kong, establishing her reputation as a significant modern Chinese writer.

Rather than conforming to typical biopic norms, The Golden Era adopts an experimental narrative style. It cleverly segments Xiao’s life into different chapters, which are narrated by various characters from her life: family members, friends, lovers, and contemporaries. These fragmented insights combined with Xiao's own thoughts present a comprehensive mosaic of her life.

Rather than focusing on the adversity she experienced or romanticizing her struggles, the film places more emphasis on Xiao’s strength and resilience. While her persistent fight against patriarchy, her courage to confront societal norms, and her quest to find her literary voice serve as important plot points, the film also delves into how these experiences shaped her writing.

Tang Wei's empathetic and vivid portrayal of Xiao Hong is the heart of The Golden Era. Her performance traverses a wide range of emotions, from vulnerability to strength, mirroring Xiao Hong’s own journey from an uncertain girl to a determined writer.

The Golden Era is, above all, a tribute to an era and to a woman who dared to dream and dared to live those dreams by fearlessly penning them down. It is about the power of words and the immense strength dormant in the human spirit. It is about a woman who, despite living in oppression, found a way to flourish and inspire. It is a movie that does more than simply narrate a biography; it seeks to appreciate and preserve the legacy of one of China's grand literary figures through every frame.

The film offers a visual ballet with painstakingly designed sets and beautiful cinematography, mastering the art of visual storytelling. It captures the vibe of each city Xiao lived in, from the frosty Harbin to the cosmopolitan Hong Kong, and takes viewers on a lush journey through the landscapes of China.

Though Ann Hui's explicit focus is on Xiao Hong, she subtly threads the narrative with several important issues, such as the role of women in society, the responsibility and power of artists, and the complexity of romantic and interpersonal relationships. Amidst the accounts of war and volatile social changes, Hui's film definitely remains an engaging and delicate tale of a woman's pursuit of freedom, identity, and art.

With The Golden Era, Ann Hui once again reaffirms her ability to bring historical figures and events to life, making her one of Asia's leading filmmakers. But more than that, she offers viewers a chance to re-evaluate the legacy of an extraordinary woman almost forgotten in the course of history, giving her the recognition she rightfully deserves. While steeped in historical context, The Golden Era is a humanistic film that transcends time and geography, carrying a universal appeal that reverberates long after the credits roll.