A New Old Play

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A New Old Play

2022

2h 59m

Drama

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100%

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9 Reviews

71%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

One evening in the 1980s, Qiu Fu, a leading clown in 20th-century Sichuan opera, departs this world and must reluctantly set off for the Ghost City under the escort of two underworld officials. Along the way, he meets old friends. As they recall the past, earthly scenes creep into the mists of the Netherworld. Qiu Fu's life in opera unfolds against the backdrop of a secular upheaval. The "New-New" Troupe in which he grows up and learns his trade is affiliated with the military. As power shifts, the troupe is cast loose to wander rootlessly through a broken world. Despite this unsettled destiny, shaped by war, famine and political turmoil, Qiu Fu becomes one of the finest clown-role performers in Sichuan opera. And yet, one day he finds himself clapped in a pigsty as a political revolution rages outside. Outside the Ghost City, sitting among familiar faces, Qiu Fu drinks the mandatory bowl of Forgetfulness Soup to erase his memory. A lifetime of hardship, pain and sorrow, all vanish as if they had never been.

Richard Brody

The New Yorker

May 23, 2022

Qiu Jiongjiong tells this story with affecting intimacy and candid observation—and with archly ironic methods.

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Austin Considine

New York Times

May 19, 2022

At once tragedy and farce, it breathes new life into a story as old as civilization.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

May 21, 2023

A-

An amazingly tense film for fans of Chinese opera and Chinese politics.

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Calan Panchoo

Film Threat

May 16, 2023

8.5/10

It is as multilayered as the traditions of old and as daring as the convictions of new.

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Kathy Fennessy

Video Librarian Magazine

Mar 8, 2023

4/5

At 179 minutes, A New Old Play might seem like a daunting watch, except it's a lively, lovely film, even in the saddest moments.

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Sean Gilman

The Chinese Cinema

Oct 12, 2022

Occupying something of a middle ground between Hou's The Puppetmaster and Chen's Farewell My Concubine as a history of 20th century China as seen through the eyes of a theatrical performer, A New Old Play is an unusual kind of epic.

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Jun 25, 2022

Too long. Great sets, good performances. Coulda stopped @ 2 hrs.

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Qiu Jiongjiong

Director

Yi Sicheng

Qiu Fu

Guan Nan

Huafeng

Qiu Zhimin

Pocky

Xue Xuchun

Chicken Foot

Gu Tao

Crooky

A New Old Play: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

One evening in the 1980s, Qiu Fu, a leading clown in 20th-century Sichuan opera, departs this world and must reluctantly set off for the Ghost City under the escort of two underworld officials. Along the way, he meets old friends. As they recall the past, earthly scenes creep into the mists of the Netherworld. Qiu Fu's life in opera unfolds against the backdrop of a secular upheaval. The "New-New" Troupe in which he grows up and learns his trade is affiliated with the military. As power shifts, the troupe is cast loose to wander rootlessly through a broken world. Despite this unsettled destiny, shaped by war, famine and political turmoil, Qiu Fu becomes one of the finest clown-role performers in Sichuan opera. And yet, one day he finds himself clapped in a pigsty as a political revolution rages outside. Outside the Ghost City, sitting among familiar faces, Qiu Fu drinks the mandatory bowl of Forgetfulness Soup to erase his memory. A lifetime of hardship, pain and sorrow, all vanish as if they had never been.

Director: Qiu Jiongjiong
Producer: Ding Ding, Yang Jin
Screenwriter: Qiu Jiongjiong
Distributor: Icarus Films
Production Co: Hippocampe Productions, Midnight Blur
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): May 20, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 16, 2023
Runtime: 2h 59m

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