Yellow Earth

1)      What generation of directors does the film represent? The generation of directors represent the transition towards a communist government in China, and how the Chinese Communist party was cooperating with the Kuomintang government in order to resist the foreign forces of the Japanese. 2)      What details of that generation’s background & historical context does the film represent? During this period, there was a truce between the two warring governments of China, in a shared intent to defeat the invading Japanese. During this time, the territories involved were free for navigation. The times dictated an urgent mission to collect indigenous tradition through folk songs. In the movie, we see the struggle of the peasants, the different parties, and the Maoist revolutionary thought through out the land.             3.1-3.10) Identify 8-10 characteristics of that generation’s films that this film represents.                         Define and explain each characteristic, with examples from the film: 3.1) The film shows the indigenous traditions of the Chinese in the different regions. In the movie, we see many traditional songs being sung and the life of the people and their relationship to the land. 3.2) The film shows cultural heritage. In the beginning, we see the rich culture of the Chinese and their traditions and practices. This can be seen in the arranged marriage of one of the characters in the story. 3.3) It depicts the perseverance of the people and their faith in the political parties. We see the plight and struggle of the people as their land is subject to different warring parties. 3.4) The film is an attempt to show the failure of the Communist party to achieve their plans due to the vast land mass of China. In the movie, we see the effort of soldiers and leaders to create lasting and effective change in the Chinese territories. 3.5) Yellow Earth shows the will and intention of the Chinese communist party to take control of the land, and create abundance and change. The soldier in the film shares stories of how women fought for the army, which inspires Cuqiao to become part of the army. 3.6) The film shows the big problem faced by the government to bring prosperity, and morale to the people. Nature has its own share of trials due to climate and the challenges brought about by geographic configuration. 3.7) Yellow Earth shows the propaganda efforts of the CCP to assimilate KMT controlled areas, specifically Shanbei. Gu Qing’s mission is to collect folk songs from indigenous people in order to alter the lyrics with Communist ideologies to boost the morale of the Eight Route Army soldiers. 3.8) The film is keen on the compassion and empathy of the CCP for its people, as it intends to learn about the hardships of the people. Ultimately, the harsh reality sets in as the land has dried up and the agricultural production is halted due to drought. 3.9) 3.10) __________________________ Part