China sports films make the cut

While the world's attention is riveted on the Olympic Games and the broadcast media gear up for a frenzy of activities throughout the Olympics, Chinese filmmakers are making their own cinematic contribution with the inspirational story of China's sports heroes.

Based on a true story, The One Man Olympics, details the incredible saga of Liu Changchun, the country's sole representative at the 1932 Games in Los Angeles. A celebrated sprinter from Dalian, Liaoning province, Liu entered the 100 and 200 m run but failed to qualify for the finals.

In 1931, the Japanese army had begun occupying Northeast China, which was turned into a puppet state called Manchukuo. The invaders concocted a plan to send Liu to the 10th Olympic Games to represent their counterfeit state. But the athlete refused.

He published a statement in the newspaper, and on reading this, the patriotic General Zhang Xueliang declared that he would sponsor Liu to represent China at the 1932 Olympics.

Directed by Hou Yong, the film took three years to complete.

"It is a dramatic story. Liu, as the first man who participated in the Olympic Games, represented a whole country and its then 400 million people. His story is in line with the spirit of the Olympic Games," says Hou.

The first choice to play the lead role was China's star hurdler Liu Xiang. But he is busy with preparations for the Games in Beijing, says Hou. Li Zhaolin, who plays Liu in the film, is a new face.

The One Man Olympics is now showing in Beijing.

Another Olympic-themed film showing in city cinemas, Go! China, chronicles China' hundred years of sports history. From the first Olympic hero Liu Changchun to Liu Xiang who raced to victory in the 110-m hurdles at the Athens Olympics, the 98-minute documentary shows every exciting and historic moment in Chinese sports history.

The crew traveled around China doing interviews and bought many old video clips from the United States and Europe.

"We didn't start off with the intention of doing a film. We just wanted to contribute something to the Olympic Games in Beijing," says Zheng Sining, the director. "Gradually, however, we ended up collecting more and more details about Chinese sports history."

China's first sports movie - The Queen of Sports - was made in 1934. It is about a gifted young woman from a rich family and a three-time champion of national short racing. However, realizing that her successes have gone to her head, she intentionally loses to another girl during an important competition, and loses her sports queen title. She then devotes herself to promoting the true spirit of sports. The movie was a sensation when it was released, making lead actress Li Lili a star overnight.

Following the founding of New China in 1949, the country saw a number of movies on sports themes. Some of them, such as No 5 of the Women Basketball Team on the life and career of a woman basketball player, won much acclaim.

China's enthusiasm for sports peaked in the 1980s after outstanding performances by Chinese sports teams in international competitions. In 1984, Xu Haifeng won the first Olympic Gold in free pistol for China at the Olympics in Los Angeles. A wave of national pride swept the country.

The Chinese women's volleyball team grabbed the world title three years in a row at the Women's Championship. Their story is told in the movie Sandpiper. Another movie of note released during this time was Ice and Fire, on the life of Chinese women ice-skaters.

China's sports industry continued to thrive into the 90s, alongside the movie industry. During this period, movies covered a wide range of sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, cycling, wrestling, and track and field.

The main theme of these sports movies is the triumph of the human spirit. Take the movie, Black Eyes, directed by Yin Li.

It follows the story of a pretty girl who has lost her eyesight. While training for a competition for the disabled, she falls in love with her coach. But he already has a girlfriend. Meanwhile, the blind girl's family is trying to arrange her marriage to a blind artist. But the girl refuses.

After some hard training, she finally grabs her gold medal. This success strengthens her will to live like a normal person and to pursue her love. The movie won many domestic and international awards.

(China Daily 06/03/2008 page19)