xia jing, member of the china democratic league: life is like a play, live a life without rehearsal
2024-09-08
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shanghai, september 5 (china news service) (fan yubin, zhong han, zhu muqiao) the film and television adaptation of "dream of red mansions" has received widespread attention. in the 1989 version of "dream of red mansions" shot by beijing film studio and directed by xie tieli, xia jing, a member of the china democratic league and an actor, played the role of jia baoyu in the film. she was only 18 years old when she joined the crew.
recently, xia jing said in an interview, "i have acted in so many tv dramas, but the one i starred in a dream of red mansions still received the most attention. as an actor, i always wanted to get rid of the shadow of jia baoyu, but now i feel lucky and proud to play jia baoyu."
xia jing joined the china democratic league in 1996 and is currently the secretary-general of the china democratic league shanghai film (group) co., ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "shanghai film"). her husband tong ruixin is the head of the shanghai film actors troupe and the chairman of the china democratic league shanghai film branch. this couple of china democratic league members work well together. "although i was not able to join the shanghai film actors troupe, i have a lot of feelings for shanghai film and am willing to do more for the china democratic league," said xia jing.
when the filming of the movie dream of red mansions started, the casting of xia jing, who played jia baoyu in a male costume, caused some discussion. "as a yue opera performer, i was not surprised or stressed by the fact that a woman dressed as a man, but with the controversy over the choice of a female actress to play jia baoyu, i felt a little pressure, but i had no choice but to do my best." xia jing said that she cut her hair short for this purpose, and followed the crew to the beijing studio, hangzhou and suzhou locations, and went in and out of shanghai grand view garden three times, and could only go home for a few days during the chinese new year.
stills of xia jing playing jia baoyu. photo provided by the interviewee
later, xia jing played different female roles in films such as "afu's romantic luck" and "love and hate", and also starred in the tv series "shanghai story" that shows the style of contemporary shanghai. her artistic expression and modeling skills gradually matured. "an actor must step out of the role and return to himself before he can take on the next role," xia jing said.
from the age of 13 to 29, xia jing was almost non-stop filming, with an irregular life, and long-term fatigue accumulation led to hyperthyroidism. she quickly called tong ruixin who was filming. the two met because of the drama and collaborated on three works in a row. they also went from friends to partners. the illness caused her physical weakness, and the side effects of the medicine caused her abnormal obesity, which made xia jing very tormented. fortunately, tong ruixin was always by her side and gave her great support.
looking back on her artistic life, xia jing joined the crew of "dream of red mansions" at a young age, suffered a serious illness, turned a disaster into a blessing in disguise and gained happy love, and now she feels that she has slowly realized a lot and can gradually understand "dream of red mansions".
as the secretary-general of the shanghai film branch of the china democratic league, xia jing is very concerned about the old members. every year, xia jing actively participates in the chongyang festival activities for the elderly held by the shanghai film actors troupe, from early planning, contacting support units to on-site arrangements and receiving old artists. the old members of the troupe would hug her excitedly when they saw her.
xia jing filmed a feature film. photo provided by the interviewee
in 2021, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the communist party of china and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the china democratic league, the china democratic league shanghai film branch held a reading activity "salute to the forefathers of the china democratic league". encouraged by everyone, xia jing carefully prepared "some people" by the poet zang kejia and the essay "nostalgia" written by the performing artist bai yang. "it's been a long time since i met you in this form. i want to finish it in the best possible state." her reading was also affirmed by everyone.
in 2022, the shanghai municipal committee of the china democratic league and the shanghai film branch of the china democratic league jointly produced a special film titled "democracy: commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of mr. zhang lan", in which xia jing served as the tribute. 2023 is the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the shanghai film actors troupe. the troupe and the shanghai film branch of the china democratic league jointly held many commemorative activities, and xia jing was busy for a whole year. "life is an art just like movies. we should live a better life without rehearsals and accept the new self every day." xia jing said. (end)
