Impression series under fire
By admin on 2014-12-26

Seven years after the debut Impression, Liu Sanjie in Yangshuo, Guangxi Province, Zhang Yimou's famous Impression series of grand outdoor gala performances have yet again come under the spotlight but not for the recent preview of his fifth installment Impression, Da Hong Pao last Sunday, rather for the accusations that the installments are a massive waste of money with little artistic achievement.

Impression directors Wang Chaoge and Fan Yue refuted the claims by showcasing the series' achievements, artistically, economically and socially, during an exclusive interview with the Global Times.

"I can say the Impression series installments are the cheapest performance productions in China, considering the costs and returns," Wang stated firmly. She revealed that although an Impression production generally costs around 100 million yuan ($14.65 million), that figure includes building a theater, constructing a stage and funding a complete performance troupe. "No current local productions can manage that," she added.

Many venues in China have cost millions to billions of yuan to build. The National Grand Theater cost 3 billion yuan ($439.5 million), backing up Wang's statement.

Wang added that the rate of recovering the invested funds was also relatively fast, with an estimated annual 4 million people attending the four established productions, each spending around 200 yuan ($29) on a ticket.

"You do the math yourself," she said, explaining that last year 1.3 million people attended Impression, Liu Sanjie, 1.4 million saw Impression, Lijiang and 610,000 people went to Impression, West Lake.

"Impression, Hainan opened less than a year ago, so the statistics have not come out yet, but we are sure of a positive outcome and Impression, Da Hong Pao should not be less than the former three productions," she stated.

According to the director, ticket sales are not the only revenue stream from the productions – related industries such as real estate, hospitality and tourism have also benefited greatly.

Wang said that Impression, Liu Sanjie provides a living for 100,000 Yangshuo local people. "We have to go back there every season for rehearsals and to maintain the equipment; if the show stopped, tremendous damage would be done to the local economy."

She explained that the series also has a significant social impact in terms of hiring and training local performers.

"It is more than simply providing them with a job, it also gives respect and confidence," she said, "this attribute is hard to find in a factory or mining job, especially for those locals who have not received higher education."

"We also give people a greater sense of honor and a chance to spread their own culture that otherwise might remain unknown to the rest of the world."

Hiring nonprofessional performers is a principle that the series has stuck to, Fan explained, adding that he does not do so to save costs, but to encourage unique artistic perspectives.

"Only locals can perfectly blend local culture and sights as reflected in our shows, which is the definition of a good performer for an outdoor gala performance," he said, explaining that recruiting professional performers, even the country's best, would be in conflict with local cultures and people's perspectives and views on the location.

Fan recalled recruiting 270 performers from Wuyi Mountain for Impression, Da Hong Pao, most of them in their 20s and the seven months of training.

"All we need from them is to be as responsible and professional as a real performer. We do not want to change anything else, even their accent, as long as they can deliver their lines clearly."

It is these local performers, who in Wang's words have not been "polluted and polished" by urban culture, that really touch the heart of the audience. She said that during the Impression, Da Hong Pao preview, everyone rose from their seats when performers served them tea, due to their pure and simple expressions.

"It is interesting that foreign audiences can better appreciate this and the performance more than many Chinese," she said, concluding that apart from the local performers, the theme of harmony between humans and nature, also strikes a chord.

"We get nearly full marks from foreign audiences, most of whom come to talk to us about the show afterwards," smiled Wang contently.