Original Chinese Language Article: 电影《刘胡兰》
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
Historical relevance:
The film reproduces the heroic struggle of Liu Hulan – a Young Communist Party Member during the War of Liberation – existing in the face of the enemy’s violence!
Movie Synopsis:
In 1941, the War of Resistance Against Japan entered a difficult phase of stalemate. The Japanese devils occupied Liu Hulan’s hometown, Yunzhou West Village, Shanxi Province, and closed the anti-Japanese primary school. Liu Hulan participated in the Children’s Regiment, stationed with the Eighth Route Army, and served as its Commander, bravely fighting the Japanese. Following the Communist victory in the Anti-Japanese War, the Kuomintang launched a vicious Civil War, and the brutal White Terror covered the land of China. In June 1946, although not yet an adult, Liu Hulan joined the Communist Party of China and was sent back to work in Yunxi West Village. She actively organized the masses to grow, harvest and collect the grain for public use, to make military shoes, to go door-to-door to collect military shoes, to support the front line, to inquire about the enemy’s situation, and to take care of the injured (which at one time included the County Magistrate). On January 12th, 1947, a traitor betrayed Liu Hulan. Under the coercive torture of the Kuomintang Army, Liu Hulan vowed not to bow and resolutely refused not betray the Communist Party organization. The enemy threatened her with death. Liu Hulan replied firmly: “I am more afraid of not being an effective Communist Party Member!” In front of the enemy’s abuse and violence, Liu Hulan – a fifteen-year-old Communist Party Member – stood tall and fearless. She bravely faced the enemy and gave her young life for the Chinese Revolution. Mao Zedong, Chairman of the CPC Central Committee, personally wrote a eulogy for Liu Hulan: “The greatness of life, the glory of death.”
Shanxi Film Studio, produced in 1996
