Encyclopedia of Chinese Film

E

Early Spring in February (p.)

(Zaochun eryue)

dir./sc. Xie Tieli with Sun Daolin, Fan Xuepeng, Xie Fang, Shangguan Yunzhu, Beijing: Beijing Film, 1963

This film is based on a short story of the same title by the leftist writer Rou Shi. Set in the 1920s, the story focuses on how Xiao Jianqiu’s search for a good society leads him to become a revolutionary.

Xiao accepts a teaching position offered him by a friend, Tao Mukan, who runs a school in a small town. Soon after Xiao’s arrival in the town, he learns that the widow of his best friend, Li, who was killed during the Northern Expedition, also lives there and is having financial difficulties supporting herself and her daughter. Xiao feels sympathy for Mrs Li’s situation and offers to pay for the girl’s schooling. Yet his relationship with Mrs Li becomes the subject of gossip in the town, causing Xiao much stress. The only person who understands and supports him is Tao’s younger sister. However, Miss Tao’s affection for Xiao makes one of her suitors, Mr Qian, extremely jealous. Although Xiao loves Miss Tao, he decides to marry Mrs Li because he feels she needs him more, especially after her son dies of an illness. But the personal attacks which follow in the wake of his marriage drive Mrs Li to suicide. An emotionally devastated Xiao realizes that the only solution to the miseries of people like Mrs Li lies in the reformation of the whole society. He leaves the town in order to join the revolutionary movement.

The film’s focus on individuals’ emotions and its positive representation of intellectuals were exceptional in mainland filmmaking of the 1950s–60s.

See also: representations of intellectuals

(ZX)