Four powerhouse works make Su Shuyang a star

Song of the Red Heart (Dan Xin Pu), 1978. The prestigious Beijing People's Art Theater staged this drama, which was one of the first literary works criticizing the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) and praising Premier Zhou Enlai's support of intellectuals. The theater was jam-packed and some of the audience were so moved they fainted in tears.

Sunset Street (Xizhao Jie), 1983. Was made into a movie directed by Wang Haowei and starring Chi Zhiqiang. The story evolves around the families living in a small alley in Beijing. It presents a real life account at the beginning of the country's opening and reform.

New Dragon Gate Inn (Xin Longmen Kezhan), 1992. Another movie this time directed by Tsui Hark, and starring Donnie Yen, Brigitte Lin and Maggie Cheung. It was hailed as the trigger that fired off a new-style martial arts movie in Hong Kong. However Su Shuyang says his original idea of a tragedy had been changed into an action flick that appeals more to the eye than the heart.

A Reader on China (Zhongguo Duben), 2005 (pictured below). The book was aimed at introducing Chinese history and culture to middle school students but it was so successful that Su had to rewrite it many times to cater for an international readership. The book was developed from an earlier book Our Mother is Named China (Women de Muqin Jiao Zhongguo), which has been included in the 100 best contemporary literary works for Chinese children.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/09/2009 page8)