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The Revival of the Chinese Cultural Tradition: “Impressions” (印象系列) – Zhang Yimou’s (张艺谋) Grand Outdoor Performances
Abstract
The subject of this study is the seven monumental outdoor performances from the “Impression” series. These include “Impression Liu Sanjie”, “Impression Lijiang”, “Impression of the West Lake”, “Impression Dahongpao”, “Impression Hainan”, “Impressions Wulong”, and “Impression Putuo”, all staged in the natural setting of China’s unique regions. Since the first premiere in 2003, these performances have attracted both domestic and international tourists. The director and mastermind of these spectacles is the renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou, along with two young creators, Wang Chaoge and Fan Yue. Considering that the revival of the Chinese cultural tradition is the purpose, theme, mode and message of these performances, an analysis has been conducted in three key areas. The first, contextual, pertains to broader issues related to China’s policy of the “return to glory”, which is part of the Soft Power strategy and cultural nationalism. This policy emphasizes the creative utilization of China’s heritage in the development of its millennia-old culture. In the second, central part, the content and form of the performances are analyzed, whence it transpires that traditional theatrical elements undergo reinterpretation while maintaining ancient motifs, symbolism, and philosophy. Zhang Yimou, on the one hand, draws inspiration from the concept of traditional xiqu theatre, characterized by anti-illusionism and essentialism – meaning typification and concentration of phenomena – while, on the other hand, he incorporates cutting-edge technological innovations. The unique fusion of these elements is key to understanding the success of these performances within the framework of the so-called creative industries and Chinese cultural tourism, a topic explored in the final section of the article.
Keywords:
outdoor performances, “Impression Liu Sanjie”, “Impression Lijiang”, “Impression of the West Lake”, “Impression Dahongpao”, “Impression Hainan”, “Impression Wulong”, “Impression Putuo”, Zhang Yimou, cultural nationalism, revitalization of Chinese cultural tradition, cultural tourismDetails
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.