What are the new gains?, Wang Peiyu: "Capturing and Releasing Cao", which was studied at the age of 16, was adapted into a movie. Wang Peiyu | Peking Opera | Capturing and Releasing Cao

"Many of my teachers have passed away, and I will teach what I have learned to a younger generation. In the future, you will have the opportunity to step onto the stage and influence your family, friends, and classmates, so that more young people can have the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful art of Peking Opera. Peking Opera can shine," said Wang Peiyu. On August 17th, the screening of the Beijing Opera film "Catch and Release Cao", led by Wang Peiyu, a national first-class actor at the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre, and Wang Yue, a national first-class actor at the National Peking Opera Theatre, was held in Heping Film City, marking the opening of the "2023 Shanghai screening of the Beijing Opera film" Catch and Release Cao ".

From August 29th to September 30th, every Tuesday to Saturday, more than 30 cinemas including Shanghai Daguang Cinema, Shanghai UA Meilong Town Square Cinema, Pudong Poly International Cinema, CG Cinema Magnolia Plaza Branch, Yonghua Cinema, and Duoyunxuan Dolby Panoramic Sound Cinema will screen "Capturing and Releasing Cao".

"Capturing and Releasing Cao" is the fifth "Peking Opera Film Project" produced by the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre, following "Farewell My Concubine", "Chasing Han Xin under the Moon", "Kan Yu Chuan", and "Zhenguan Shengshi". After 10 months of preparation and 2 months of filming, and nearly two years of post production editing and production, it will finally be presented to a large audience by the end of August this year. The film follows the creative principle of "respecting the past without sticking to it, and innovating without losing the tradition". It tells the classic story of Chen Gong and Cao Cao in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", strengthens the advantages of the integration of Peking Opera techniques and film narrative, and explores more ornamental and valuable ways of opening up Peking Opera films.

Wang Peiyu revealed that during the preparation of the movie, themes such as "Wu Zixu", "Zhumen Zhai", "Solitary Search and Rescue", and "Vermilion Sand Mole" were considered, and "Capturing and Releasing Cao" was ultimately chosen. In 1994, at the age of 16, Wang Peiyu studied "Capturing and Releasing Cao" and performed for the first time at the Lanxin Grand Theater. "At that time, I didn't know what kind of state the characters and historical stories should be presented in. The teacher asked us to act, sing, appear and come here, ride horses back, go on stage, and go off stage... As stage practice increased, I gradually understood the plot and characters, and I also pondered and sought advice from many teachers on the singing and performance techniques of" Capturing and Releasing Cao ". I have a unique emotional attachment to this play, so I am willing to ponder and spend time."

"There has always been controversy over documenting traditional Chinese opera performances in the form of movies, which requires constant thinking, exploration, and practice to resolve conflicts. Movies directly present realistic magnified images to the audience. Traditional Chinese opera performances need to be visible to the audience from the first to the last row of the theater, requiring exaggerated and fictional performance methods, which may be incompatible with film expression." Wang Peiyu admitted that under the lens of the movie, Peking Opera actors constantly adjust, "even the stage, lighting, and band are not in the same familiar state as me. For example, in the first appearance of" Capturing and Releasing Cao ", one must ride a horse, and in the end, one must sing and perform by smoothing their beards and hitting horses. Should it be realistic or virtual? After several discussions, the film retains the virtual performance of Peking Opera

Sitting in the cinema, watching the Beijing Opera movies she starred in, Wang Peiyu had some new experiences. "Since I was practicing martial arts, I was asked by my teacher to frown and stare. Through zooming in on the movie lens, I found that my eyes were really good. After putting on makeup, pulling my head, and pushing the camera, my eyes were quite bright. Nowadays, everyone is accustomed to avoiding social awkward situations through various means such as WeChat and phone calls. Over time, we don't use our eyes and words to talk to people face-to-face, which is a lack of interpersonal communication. Through studying and observing Beijing Opera, you will find that one eye is more useful than a WeChat emotional package."

"In the vast world, who can discern the truth or falsehood? My husband wants to serve the country, and my green shirt travels far and wide. Capturing and releasing Cao, we will fight for common ground for generations. Where are the heroes? Let's watch the waves wash away the sand..." At the end of the film "Capturing and Releasing Cao", Wang Peiyu sang the original Beijing song "Waves wash away the sand". "Peking Opera emphasizes virtuality, with one line of recitation and one line of lyrics outlining the artistic conception. There are some unfinished contents in the movie, which are presented to the audience through the theme song" Waves wash away the sand ". Feng Gang, Vice Dean of Shanghai Peking Opera House and scriptwriter of" Capturing and Releasing Cao ", wrote beautiful lyrics for" Waves wash away the sand "." At the end of the film, we added introductions from Peking Opera masters such as Li Shaochun to let the audience understand that a classic play is not achieved overnight. "Capturing and Releasing Cao" has been around for 200 years and has been passed down from generation to generation. Every version, every line of singing, and every performance I have learned bears the imprint of the masters

Director Teng Junjie of "Capturing and Releasing Cao" said that the drama is a true old drama, telling the story of two souls going their separate ways and two figures reflecting on each other, bringing philosophical thoughts to the audience to this day. Feng Gang said that as a play that delves into the inner thoughts of characters, the text of "Capturing and Releasing Cao" is finely tuned under the premise of revitalizing the old, and the rough and freehand stage performance is refined through camera pushing, pulling, and shaking. In the eyes of stage director Zhu Weigang, "Catch and Release Cao" does not have grand scenes and few characters, but the film actively responds to challenges and still makes the audience enjoy watching it. The lead actor Guo Yi is Wang Peiyu's junior brother. "Through filming, I have gained a new understanding of characters and the differences between film and stage performance modes."

"Capturing and Releasing Cao" is jointly produced by Shanghai Film Co., Ltd., Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre, Shanghai Radio and Television Station, and the Capital Jinghu Art Research Association. The screening on the 17th was planned and organized by the Shanghai Film Distribution and Screening Industry Association in collaboration with Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre. The screening is based on the Shanghai Theatre Cinema Line and the Shanghai Art Film Alliance. In the future, Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre will collaborate with the Film Screening Industry Association to screen Peking Opera films annually for fans and Peking Opera enthusiasts.