A STUDY GUIDE by katy marriner

http://www.metromagazine.com.au

http://www.theeducationshop.com.au TEACHERS NOTES TEACHERS

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 2 - meets and falls in love with Sun, who Sun, who in love with and falls meets village. as a geologist in the is working son of an than Jing and the Sun is older Given the difference family. elite military romance backgrounds, in their social two is not only unthinkable, between the mutual attrac- But their it is dangerous. first Jing tries to tion is undeniable. At her relentlessly, but Sun pursues resist Their to the city. even after she returns passionate pure, blossoms - romance must know; least No one and in secret. mother whose only desire of all Jing’s for a future ensures is that her daughter herself at all cost. When he reenters Then Sun disappears. her life, Jing sees that something has her to confront changed. She is forced to and loyalty, ideas about love, honor, decide what she truly believes in. Director’s profile debut Red Ever since his directorial Sorghum (1987) won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, Zhang Award as has established his reputation Yimou one of the most talented and influential directors. multiple honors as has received Yimou He is the first Chinese film- a director. Acad- Motion Picture maker to receive being nominated for an emy recognition, Film in the Best Foreign Academy Award category for Ju Dou (1990) in 1990, Raise the Red Lantern (1991) in 1992, and Hero (2003) in 2003. He has also earned the Interna- Silver Lion at the 44th Venice tional Film Festival for Raise the Red at the Lantern, the Golden Lion Award International Film Festival 45th Venice for The Story of Qiu Ju (1992), the Grand Jury Prize at the 47th Cannes Interna- Live (1994), the tional Film Festival for To at the 52nd Venice Golden Lion Award International Film Festival for Not One Less (1999), the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for The Road Bauer Prize Home (1999) and the Alfred box office hit House of for Hero. Yimou’s Flying Daggers (2004) was the recipient of multiple international as well awards and Golden Globe nomina- as BAFTA Film. tions for Best Foreign of the acted as the chief director Yimou spectacular opening and closing cer emonies of the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, 2008. texts to explore concepts and ideas texts to explore and to clarify their own and others’ understanding. Synopsis is based on Under the Hawthorn Tree Forever by the novel Hawthorn Tree million acclaimed author Ai Mi. Three copies of the novel, an adaptation of a have been sold since it was true story, first published in 2007. Jing, an innocent high school city girl, mountain village for is sent to a remote during the Cultural Revolu- reeducation tion. With her father imprisoned as a rightist, her ostracised mother struggles Jing knows children. to support her three wellbeing and her family’s that her future One wrong depend on her behaviour. move and the authorities could destroy their lives. It is at the mountain village, that Jing Teachers are advised to direct students advised to direct are Teachers subject to complete activities that are - Teach and age appropriate. relevant students to ers of Chinese may direct in Chinese rather complete responses than English. to metalanguage appropriate on comment on the ways it represents comment on the ways it represents of ideas and experi- an interpretation ences; in detached and critical ways; torical values embodied in a film; and features discuss the structures of a film; • the construction of a film and analyse • to a film both personally and respond • the social, cultural and his- discuss • draw • their own written and spoken use In completing the tasks, students will have demonstrated the ability to: Length: 115 minutes. Language: Mandarin with English sub- titles Under the Hawthorn Tree is suitable for Under the Hawthorn Tree middle and senior secondary students Literature, undertaking English, History, Media and Chinese. Under the Hawthorn Tree (2010) is a Under the Hawthorn Tree by Zhang film directed Chinese feature Yimou.

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 3 tural Revolution. Teachers should preview the sites before they are used in they are the sites before should preview tural Revolution. Teachers the classroom. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Revolution http://library.thinkquest.org/26469/cultural-revolution/ http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/riley/787/China/Cultural/Cultural.html http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/cultural_revolution.htm http://www.wellesley.edu/Polisci/wj/China1972/intro.html Links from can be downloaded kit for Under the Hawthorn Tree Photos and a press www.wildbunch.biz • about the film can be found at: Information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_the_Hawthorn_Tree_%28film%29 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1554523/ • Cul- ’s may find the following sites useful when researching Students Qi Ke aishen T Sa Rina Yu Xinbo Yu Lv Liping Yi Xinyun Yi Li Xuejian Xi Meijuan Jiang Ruijia n Dou Shaw Zhou Dongyu – Zhang Yimou, 2010 – Zhang Yimou, Yin Lichuan, Gu Xiaobai and A Mei Gu Xiaobai and Lichuan, Yin

ao Huaiyi, Bill Kong Bill Cao Huaiyi, Hugo Shong, Weiping, Zhang Screenwriters: PRODUCERS: Jing CAST Sun mother Jing’s Fang Credits Director : Village Director Zhang Mother Wei’s Lin Father Sun’s School teacher Mr. Luo School teacher Mr. Auntie cheng Wei Director Li I was greatly moved by the purity of I was greatly this first love between the characters. I wanted to make this film because it and I something precious expresses wanted to do it in a simple and minimal- ist way fitting for something so natural and pure.’ ‘This is a film that exists in spite of the times. In spite of the challenges and difficulties of that era, this young girl and this young boy fell in love. In spite of the changing times, people today by this can be moved and inspired film. That is because true love is pure and eternal. It happened then and it’s It can be understood happening now. by all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds the story is timeless and and in this way, meaningful. Director’s statement

e Guid ent ud t S

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 4 The story sent to a remote Jing, an innocent high school city girl, is during the Cultural Revolu- mountain village for reeducation tion. With her father imprisoned as a rightist, her ostracised Jing knows children. mother struggles to support her three wellbeing depend on her be- and her family’s that her future and the authorities could destroy move One wrong haviour. their lives. It is at the mountain village, that Jing meets and falls in love with Sun, who is working as a geologist in the village. Sun is older than Jing and the son of an elite military family. romance in their social backgrounds, Given the difference between the two is not only unthinkable, it is dangerous. But their mutual attraction is undeniable. At first Jing tries even after she but Sun pursues her relentlessly, to resist pas- blossoms - pure, Their romance returns to the city. No one must know; least of all Jing’s sionate and in secret. a is that her daughter ensures mother whose only desire for herself at all cost. future her life, Jing sees Then Sun disappears. When he reenters her to confront that something has changed. She is forced to decide what she and loyalty, ideas about love, honor, truly believes in. (2010) is a Chinese feature film (2010) is a Chinese feature Under the Hawthorn Tree by Zhang Yimou. directed is based on the novel Hawthorn Under the Hawthorn Tree million cop- Forever by acclaimed author Ai Mi. Three Tree have been story, ies of the novel, an adaptation of a true sold since it was first published in 2007.

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 5 and understanding of the Great Proletarian Cultural Proletarian and understanding of the Great Revolution. is set during Chinese’s Great Great Chinese’s is set during HawthornUnder the Tree Cultural Revolution. Proletarian Cultural Revolution Proletarian The Great Cultural Revolution was a social Proletarian The Great of Republic place in the People’s movement that took to 1976. During this time Mao Ze- 1966 through China from of the Communist Party of China. The dong was Chairman was to further cement socialism objective of the Revolution Chi- capitalist elements from in the country by removing to the In doing so, it involved major changes nese society. social landscape of China. political, economic and within the Party that op- death in 1976, forces After Mao’s and most of the posed the Revolution, gained prominence, aban- were political, economic, and educational reforms doned by 1978. officially as a nega- The Revolution has been treated involved in tive phenomenon ever since, and the people have since been instituting the policies of the Revolution prosecuted. • texts to extend your knowledge Use print and electronic d Backgroun Hawthorn Tree • questions do you have about the film? What • the messages of Under the What do you think are Share your thoughts about the film with your peers. Share Did the film bring you to tears? is a ‘tear jerker’. Some say that Under the Hawthorn Tree • too late.’ it’s ‘Call his name quickly before First Impressions

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 6 Is she right to worry? mother committed suicide because she was branded Sun’s a capitalist. this detail? Why do you think the filmmaker incorporated Jing’s mother lives in constant fear of being punished of being punished lives in constant fear mother Jing’s will be She fears that Jing expectations. for not meeting politically incorrect. labelled as Jing? anxieties affect How do her cal views. - sent to the country I was for me personally. people and then spent seven years in a factory. years, side for three (Zhang possibly worse.’ Jing’s, My situation was like Yimou) and drawing on moments from as a class Working director , discuss the way the Under the Hawthorn Tree Cultural Proletarian portrays the Great Zhang Yimou Revolution. How has his decision to rebel against the principles of the How has his decision to rebel his family? Cultural Revolution affected Proletarian Great • because of his politi- father has been imprisoned Jing’s • for millions of Chinese for the nation, ‘It was a tragedy, some of your observations. to record Use the space below the personal, social, cultural address your notes Make sure Cultural Proletarian and economic impacts of the Great Revolution. Create a timeline that provides a summary of this period in a summary of this period that provides a timeline Create history. China’s

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 7 - that is part of the lives of the characters. Your list should that is part of the lives of the characters. Your part of the mise en scène of Un- name objects that are as well as identify actions and der the Hawthorn Tree, propaganda the influence of dialogue that reflect recall people like Jing and Sun. on the lives of ordinary Propaganda than heaven and earth.’ ‘Our political party is greater love than parents ‘Chairman Mao loves the people more their children.’ with the goodness of Com- ‘Nothing in the world compares munism.’ of the Revolu- the treasure principles are ‘Chairman Mao’s tion. than heaven and earth.’ ‘Our political party is greater Proletar the Great during played a central role Propaganda ubiquitous in were ian Cultural Revolution. Political slogans lives. every aspect of people’s • of the propaganda as a class, compile a list Working Movement? ? play in the story told by Under the Hawthorn Tree • does the film portray the Down to the Countryside How • Movement What part does the Down to the Countryside ‘Our great leader Chairman Mao teaches the countryside is leader Chairman ‘Our great can young people filled with opportunities. Only in the fields discover their full potential.’ The transfer of urban youth to rural regions was known as youth to rural regions The transfer of urban Movement. Educated youths the Down to the Countryside sent to live and work in were living in the urban areas that they might better understand in order agrarian areas, In the initial in Chinese society. of agrarian labour the role took part in it most of the youth who stages of this policy, the government to forcing Later on, resorted volunteered. many of them to move. ‘In the early 1970s, Chairman Mao called on the people to Mao called on the people 1970s, Chairman ‘In the early sent response, schools In in the fields”. “build classrooms students to the countryside.’ teachers and The Down to the Countryside Movement to the Countryside The Down

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 8 the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution? Proletarian the Great key scenes. Use the following ques- one of the film’s have selected. tions to make notes about the scene you What do you see? What do you hear? What do you think? What do you feel? Use ten slides. Your slides should be a combination of text should be a combination slides Your Use ten slides. into the video and audio may incorporate You and images. a title slide and a closing should be There presentation. you that of the sources a bibliography slide that provides consulted. • did they play in What role the Red Guards? Who were Or • Red Book’? What was ‘The Little Or • News’? the ‘Four Olds and the ‘Four were What Or • the Gang of Four? Who were Discussing key scenes - employs a linear narrative struc Under the Hawthorn Tree to tell the story of Jing and Sun. Linear means ‘in a ture - in a straight line, or chronologi line.’ A linear film proceeds cal order. • key scenes. as a class, make a list of Working • make a detailed analysis of in a small group, Working was executed by the Japanese at this tree, countless was executed by the Japanese at this tree, nourished too. Their blood sacrificed here, others were that hawthorns soil. Did you know normally the tree’s It grew have white flowers? But this one is different. redder blood and the flowers became with the heroes’ is a red. This tree all flowers are the Today and redder. curricu- of inspiration for our Revolution’s source great lum.’ – Mr Luo Working with a group of your peers, develop a PowerPoint of your peers, with a group Working to one of the following questions. in response presentation Research projects Research Of what significance is this exchange? • After the first hero of Heroes. the famous Tree ‘Here’s that this is responds Mr Zhang, the head of Xiping Village ‘Just a story’.

SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 9 . film is that of the Tree of Heroes. Tree of the film is that Tree Share your ideas with others in the class and add some of Share their ideas to your list of themes. • the final image of death. The with Sun’s The film ends closing sequence? in this resolved are What ideas Discussing themes • in Under the Hawthorn themes explored Name three relocated to Xiping Village. What ideas are established What ideas are to Xiping Village. relocated you positioned as a in this opening sequence? How are viewer? Why is this sequence significant? This sequence is followed by Huan Huan and Jing visiting the Geological Exploration Unit. • students being The film opens with Jing and her fellow SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 10 truly loves you.’ - Wei • Sun ‘Then I’ll wait for you my whole life.’ – about a moment when Sun waits for Jing. Write • fall in love. Jing and Sun one to the other? to explain what attracts Is it possible at first sight? it is a case of love Do you think • nice man. He sounds like a really know that boy ‘You Jing? How does Sun court Can you recall a moment that endorses this claim? Can you recall • of love. Jing is naive and inexperienced in matters True Love True • Why? the most significant? do you think is Which theme SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 11 Tree is about the feeling of being in love for the first Tree time. have an abortion. • of the film claims that Under the Hawthorn review A about a moment of the film that endorses this view. Write • he makes to Mrs Zhang? Does Sun keep the promise Jing keep the promise? Why doesn’t • to and chooses becomes pregnant friend Wei Jing’s sequence important? Why is this from being together? from love? • love? Why? does Jing doubt Sun’s When • Jing and Sun Make a list of the obstacles that prevent • choose When does Jing Jing choose duty? When does SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 12 nclude other facts about the Include appearance and personality. to describe each character’s Use adjectives cription Description character that think are important. you Director Li Director Mr Luo Wei’s mother Wei’s Wei Jing’s siblings Jing’s The Zhang family (Xiping Village) Jing’s mother Jing’s Sun Jing Character s character ssing Discu SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 13 Write a description of one of the exterior settings. Explain Write how this setting is used to tell the story. plain how this setting is used to tell the story. plain how this setting is used to tell the tell the story. • a description of one of the interior settings. Ex- Write Spend time discussing which settings are the most signifi- Spend time discussing which settings are cant to the story? • to make a list of the settings used as a class, Working

is set in Yichang municipality in municipality is set in Yichang HawthornUnder the Tree River’s in the Yangtze and Xiping village, Hubei province region. Gorges Three Setting the scene Setting SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 14 • a list of the gifts that Sun gives Jing. Make What colour are the flowers on the hawthorn at the end tree What colour are of the film? Why does Sun ask for his ashes to be buried under the to be buried under Sun ask for his ashes Why does hawthorntree? - • does the hawthorn represent? What tree The hawthorn tree known as the Tree of Heroes is the of Heroes The hawthorn known as the Tree tree dominant symbol of the film. Symbolism is when something is used to represent some- represent Symbolism is when something is used to under used to add to the viewer’s thing else. Symbols are Symbolism standing of the plot, themes and characters. can be obvious or subtle. Discussing symbols SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 15 reviews are critical of the use of the title cards. Did you cards. critical of the use of the title are reviews find this technique effective? director, Zhang Yimou. Compile a list of five questions a list of five questions Compile Yimou. Zhang director, the making of Under like to ask him about you would . the Hawthorn Tree • paints a poetic picture.’ ‘Zhang than just Or do you think the film does more Do you agree? paint a poetic picture? • gaps. Many used to fill in narrative are Title cards • film’s to interview the had the opportunity Imagine you Zhang Yimou, 2010. Zhang Yimou, ‘I have to say there are limitations to filmmaking in China. It are ‘I have to say there all work in societies depends on how you deal with it. We with limitations. The long history of China and its troubles China becomes for good stories. I hope a rich resource are and more open, and the censorship more and more more tolerant, but it needs time.’ (director) I was greatly moved by the purity of this first love be- I was greatly this film because tween the characters. I wanted to make to do it in a and I wanted something precious it expresses simple and minimalist way fitting for something so natural and pure.’ ‘This is a film that exists in spite of the times. In spite of the ‘This is a film that exists in spite of the young girl and challenges and difficulties of that era, this changing times, this young boy fell in love. In spite of the by this film. That people today can be moved and inspired and eternal. It happened then is because true love is pure by all ages, It can be understood happening now. and it’s the story is and in this way, ethnicities and backgrounds timeless and meaningful. Making the film Why does he give these gifts to Jing? he give these gifts to Why does SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 16 Internet by using a reliable search engine. Internet search by using a reliable Developing an interpretation Developing an that discusses the following topic. a text response Write is about the transience of Under the Hawthorn Tree happiness. in length and words should be 500–750 text response Your the film. should draw on specific evidence from Review your sort of film? Is Under the Hawthorn Tree the film to someone else? you recommend Would film? Who do you think would enjoy viewing the • on the of Under the Hawthorn Tree Locate a review that you intend to analyse. As Print a copy of the review statements with place a tick beside the the review you read statements with besides the and a cross which you agree Use a question mark to indicate those which you disagree. statements that you find confusing or feel uncertain about. commen- Drawing on your annotations, write a 250 word tary that evaluates the review. • . of Under the Hawthorn Tree a review Write about the film and your information should offer review Your worth. evaluation of the film’s should begin with a title. Below the title you review Your the name of the film and a rating. Mention should provide by name. Mention the genre. the director your will need to name the subject of the film. Provide You with a synopsis of what happens in the film. After reader the synopsis, go into detail about what you thought of you like? the film. What did you like? Why? What didn’t will need to mention the characters and actors Why? You should comment on how the filmmaker has by name. You You should comment on portrayed the subject of the film. elements. how the filmmaker has used production investigation of film making techniques employed in tell- employed of film making techniques investigation is film is constructed way in which the The ing the story. shots, framing, editing, camera angles and a matter of make-up and set design, costumes, sound, lighting, props. the filmmaker describe the way partner, with a Working has used one filmmaking of Under the Hawthorn Tree technique.

• involves an Hawthorn Under the Understanding Tree SCREEN EDUCATION © ATOM 17 MIFF thanks the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust for Trust MIFF thanks the Helen Macpherson Smith their valuable support on the 2011 Next Gen program. their valuable support on the 2011 Next For hundreds of articles on Film as Text, as Text, of articles on Film For hundreds >. visit . visit . Sign up now at