“Song of Youth” will inspire the director’s next project

Famous domestic director Yan Jiangang revealed that he is preparing a project inspired by “Song of Youth”, a semi-autobiographical novel by Yang Mo that depicts the patriotic student movements during Japan’s invasion of China in the 1930s.

During the STVF Magnolia Awards Jury President’s Master Class on Monday afternoon, Yan said he sometimes reflects on the spirit of youth in the 1920s and 1930s, a period just before significant social changes in the country.

“There was truly a generation of young people who embraced the idea of ​​sacrifice and faced death without fear. They did not come from poor families but from middle-class families without survival crises, and yet they chose to ‘face death without fear,’ Yan said.

He compares this to today’s society, where every young, middle-aged and old person faces life’s challenges, regardless of their success or failure.

“There is still dissatisfaction, as evidenced by frequent job changes and the “stay flat” movement. Many people today may not have read “The Song of Youth,” but it had a huge influence and touched several generations.

The protagonist, Lin Daojing, a young woman shaped by the ideals and struggles of her time, eventually finds a purpose that invigorates her life, even leading her to face death with courage.

This discovery is rooted in faith, which he believes is crucial to enduring life’s difficulties. “Without knowledge, one may develop superstitions rather than true faith, which highlights the importance of education,” Yan said.

Yan believes that having faith can help one face life’s challenges without fear. He references historical films and the awakening of past generations to emphasize the role of faith in overcoming despair and uncertainty.

He sees today’s youth facing similar struggles and suggests that faith might be the solution to their confusion and dissatisfaction.

Reflecting on his own experiences, he recalls the audacity of his youth when he aspired to win an Oscar right after graduation, driven by an almost arrogant confidence.

This youthful boldness, he believes, has been essential to his current success. Without this, he would not have persevered despite numerous refusals and failures.

He also remembers his first significant project with national television, achieved despite numerous setbacks thanks to his youthful determination.

“Youth is invaluable because it is a time when one has the energy and resilience to face setbacks and continue moving forward,” Yan said. “Do not believe that simply enduring leads to success. Active pursuit of goals, despite setbacks, is the essence of youth.”

Currently, he is interested in creating a story that connects the struggles of past generations with those of today’s youth.

His project inspired by “Song of Youth” aims to create a dialogue between the young people of that era and today’s generation. Through this, he hopes to highlight the timeless nature of youth and its crucial role in shaping the future.