Song of the Phoenix

Song of the Phoenix is a 2013 Chinese art house drama film directed by Wu Tianming.[2][3] It was released in China by Beijing Juhe Yinglian Media on May 6, 2016.[1]

Song of the Phoenix
Poster
Chinese	百鸟朝凤
Directed by	Wu Tianming
Starring	Tao Zeru
Production companies	Xi'an Qujiang Dreamgarden Pictures Shanxi Jinghaoze Film&TV Culture Beijing Laolei Pictures Beijing Juhe Yinglian Media Beijing Dongfang Tianming Media Beijing Qitai Yuanyang Media Xi'an Qujiang Film&TV Investment Group[1]
Distributed by	Beijing Juhe Yinglian Media[1]
Release date	September 25, 2013 (Golden Rooster Awards[2]) May 6, 2016 (China)
Running time	110 minutes[1]
Country	China
Language	Mandarin
Box office	CN¥85.2 million[1]

Plot

In a Wushuang village, Shaanxi province, a young boy named You Tianming (Zheng Wei) begins to learn suona with Master Jiao (Tao Zeru). He and a fellow student, Lanyu (Hu Xianxu), dream of playing in Master Jiao's ensemble, which goes on tour throughout the Wushuang villages for wedding and funeral performances.

Master Jiao announces that he will soon retire, and he chooses Tianming as his successor. Jiao teaches Tianming the suona knowledge passed from teacher to student over the centuries. Tianming also learns the "Song of the Phoenix", a celebrated piece of music played only at funerals of the most renowned individuals.

When Tianming grows up (Li Mincheng), he becomes principal of the suona ensemble, but he finds the popularity of traditional Chinese music waning. The respect due to the suona musicians is no longer shown, and he is called to fewer and fewer gigs. To his anger, the use of suona is being replaced with the "modern" instruments of the West.

The company begins to disband as the ensemble's members must face reality and find work elsewhere to make ends meet. Master Jiao urges Tianming to continue the tradition of the suona ensemble, although he himself is compromised by a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer.

An official from the government arrives to ask Tianming to make a recording with his ensemble to preserve the culture of this dying art form. However, the few remaining members of the ensemble are unable to play, as they have sustained injuries from labour in factories. Lanyu suggests that Tianming also abandon life in the village and find work in the city. But Tianming remains devout to his teacher's greatest wish.

Upon Master Jiao's death, Tianming plays the "Song of the Phoenix" at the tombstone, alone.

Cast

• Tao Zeru[2]
• Li Mincheng[2]
• Ji Bo[2]
• Zheng Wei[2]
• Hu Xianxu[2]
• Chi Peng[2]
• Yuan Zhongfang[2]
• Mo Yang[2]
• Zhang Xiqian[2]
• Tan Qun[2]
• Wang Changling[2]
• Zhou Tianyu[2]
• Zhang Shuangcheng[2]
• Xu Huanshan[2]
• Wang Fang[2]

Reception

The film has grossed CN¥85.2 million at the Chinese box office.[1]

Award	Category	Nominee	Result	Ref.
29th Golden Rooster Awards	Best Film	Song of the Phoenix	Nominated
	Special Jury Award	Wu Tianming	Won
	Best Actor	Tao Zeru	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actress	Chi Peng	Nominated
	Best Sound Recording	Wang Changhui	Nominated
34th Hundred Flowers Awards	Best Picture	Song of the Phoenix	Pending	[4]
	Best Actor	Tao Zeru	Pending
	Best Supporting Actor	Li Mincheng	Pending

References

1. "百鸟朝凤（2016）" (in Chinese). cbooo.cn. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
2. "百鸟朝凤 (2013)" (in Chinese). douban.com. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
3. Ryan, Fergus (May 25, 2016). "Live-Streaming Apps Boom in China, Fuel Celebrity, Create New Stars". China Film Insider. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
4. "第34届百花奖候选名单公布 章子怡周冬雨争影后" (in Chinese). Tencent. August 10, 2018.

External links

• Song of the Phoenix at IMDb