Hu Xijin criticizes Zhang Yimou's new film "Shadow": Too dark

Zhang Yimou's new film "Shadow" was officially released in China yesterday. The film's score on Douban was 7.7 points a few days ago, and its reputation is acceptable. However, this film has become the second film criticized by Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Global Times recently. Like Jia Zhangke's "Ash Is Purest White", it was criticized for being "too dark".

" I just watched Shadow and I just didn't like it. The same reason, too gloomy, even dark . I have always been a loyal audience of domestic films and encourage people around me to watch domestic films. But I want to tell those directors who play deep and profound that when sitting in the cinema, Lao Hu, as one of the tens of millions of ordinary audiences, just wants to see some truth, goodness and beauty, and want to see a little light and touching in mediocrity. Even in ugly scenes, there are flashes of humanity. I think there are too many audiences like me, and Lao Hu's viewing psychology is not strange at all. However, the life and history shown to us by several great directors are more ruthless, vulgar and insidious than the real thing . Well, what can I say, I advise the directors to go to the beach to bask in the sun when they have time."

Later, Hu Xijin added on Weibo:

"Zhang Yimou has made good movies before, especially Red Sorghum. There are also Qiu Ju and Not One Less, which are all unforgettable for Chinese people. But in this new film, there is no sun in the camera from beginning to end. It is rainy, with secret rooms and killings. There is no need to talk about values. It is very tiring to watch. If you don't believe me, go and watch it yourself."

Shadow is the result of four years of hard work by Zhang Yimou, and is also his new attempt to integrate traditional Chinese aesthetics into the film. The film not only tells an Eastern-style power struggle story centered on "stand-ins", but also has many new ideas in the form of expression, such as the use of black, white and gray as the main colors to create a visual effect like ink painting, the use of traditional instruments to create a soundtrack full of classical charm, and the meticulously crafted and imaginatively designed action scenes that reflect kung fu elements.

Shadow has been shown at many major events such as the Venice International Film Festival and has received widespread praise. Some overseas film critics even believe that Shadow is "Zhang Yimou's most beautiful film to date." Shadow is undoubtedly one of the blockbusters that cannot be missed during this year's National Day holiday.

Zhang Yimou has not responded yet.