The Off the Stage, written and directed by screenwriter Qiao Liang and starring He Saifei, recently published promotional contents for cinema release, and it’s announced to be opening in cinema nationwide on March 8. The film was nominated for the Competition Section, Tiantan Award of the 12th BJIFF, and received wide acclaim from the audience when it was screened at the BJIFF. In particular, the audience were impressed by He Saifei, and claimed her to be “the soul of the entire film and absolutely best actress”.
▍Life of drama and dream: her, opera figure and night returner
She is a famous actress of Yue Opera, and became a household name for a song titled “Off to the Moon” when she was young. She is a suddenly lost wife for her husband, and a snob mom for her kids. But she returns home when she gets severely ill. A star on the stage with a fragmented life off the stage. Adapted based on the novel An Everlasting Life by Ai Wei, the film relives a woman’s lifetime story beyond the worldly gaze. The final trailer consists of the reunion of mother and son. In defense of her elder son’s accusation of “you’ve never been a good mom”, professor Qi (played by He Saifei) emotionally rebutted, “I aimed bigger stage. What’s wrong with that?”
Is it selfish or brave to champion “You Only Live Once”? Among flashes of the past and gradual unveiling of family secrets, complex family ties and love are unfolding. Are we able to find the right answer for women’s destiny on and off screen, or in history? Living a life of drama and dream, professor Qi pursues her ideal without any second thought. Perhaps it is the starlight that people see when they were born. It’s up to you whether to pursue or hide it in the bottom of your heart.
Professor Qi, an actress of Yue Opera, in the Off the Stage is a rare female character in Chinese film history. Living in the world, she keeps breaking from worldly standards. There is stage, her unregretted passion for life, on one end, and loved ones and family that are losing over time on the other end. Struggling between those two ends, professor Qi is a mixture of confidence, loneliness, passion and selfishness. While enjoying those ravishing praises, she has to be brave against misunderstandings.
Such a charming character entails considerable efforts to deliver. When He Saifei got into professor Qi, she confessed, “I would probably go nuts playing this role”. Nevertheless, its takes craze to bring life to a role. He Saifei is the prime choice for the role. She debuted in a Yue Opera troupe, and starred in many hit TV series, such as the Raise the Red Lantern, The Grand Mansion Gate and Xiao Zhuang Epic. Moreover, she spoke up for “opera rejuvenation”, and funded opera album making. She won the Best Actress for her gorgeous style and amazing acting at the 36th Golden Rooster Awards. He Saifei fulfilled professor Qi with charm, beauty and curve of time on the screen.
You may don’t know the meaning of a play at first sight, but become part of the play at second sight. If you were able to travel back time, tell that young capricious woman that she only lives once, it’s her call and it’s okay to regret. The world is kind enough to allow us to pick up the self we often leave behind. The Off the Stage is releasing in theaters on March 8.