#Deng Chao

[drrav3nb]

SHADOW dir. Zhang Yimou

On the first day of spring, Father was assassinated. It happened in court in front of all the ministers. The killer cut his head off with an axe. Uncle, worried I'd meet the same fate, searched everywhere. At last in Jing City, he found a boy my age who looked just like me. He brought him here for secret training, hoping to shield me from palace intrigue. To protect me, that boy's become the "shadow".

[yingtan]

Shadow 影 2018│Zhang Yimou

[chineseredcarpet]

Deng Chao takes the cover of Esquire China - November 2024

[adamwatchesmovies]

Shadow (2018)

Zhang Yimou’s Shadow has a lot going on visually. So much that you might not grasp it all. Between the expertly choreographed fight scenes, gorgeous cinematography, lavish sets, costumes that’ll make your jaw drop and the epic Chinese wuxia storyline, you won't know what to focus on unless the material is somewhat familiar to you. It’s an exercise in storytelling that shows off what the director has to offer when he’s in top form.

Years ago, the kingdom of Pei lost the important city of Jingzhou to the kingdom of Yang in a duel between Commander Ziyu (Deng Chao) and Yang Can (Hu Jun). Ever since, Ziyu has plotted to reclaim the city and get his revenge. His plan - a complex set of moves which involve his body double (also played by Deng Chao) and wife, Xiao Ai (Sun Li) - goes against the will of the king (Zheng Kai), who will do anything - even offer his sister (Guan Xiatong) as tribute - to maintain the peace.

Think of this film as China’s equivalent of Macbeth. Not in terms of plot, but in terms of feel. You've got these deeply-running schemes and all-or-nothing gambits fuelled by a mixture of pride and opportunity. Every action sends dominos falling in unexpected directions - or so it seems. Like Shakespeare’s work, this may make the story difficult to follow at first. The opening text screen talks about a third kingdom the Yang and Pei kingdoms united against before Pei lost Jingzhou. That third kingdom? Doesn’t impact the plot at all, it’s there to establish this world’s foundation and because this story is based on the classic 14th century historical novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” which you’re probably not familiar with but everyone in China has seen interpreted in countless ways.

Though it isn’t essential to fully understand the concepts of Yin and Yang or the forces associated with them to enjoy the film, knowing a little will unlock a deeper appreciation for the artistry on display. I’ll admit I had to so don’t be shy. Understanding the symbolism of an umbrella, water, and femininity vs. that of fire, masculinity and a straightforward weapon like a spear makes things much more interesting. Suddenly, that giant Yin Yang arena the warriors battle upon takes on a whole other meaning. It’ll also make you understand why so many of the characters in this film seem… so reasonable. Even the villains are a mixture of black-and-white, a decision that’s very much intentional.

Let’s say you don’t catch all the symbolism upon a first viewing. What does Shadow offer for you? Awesome battles whose outcomes are unpredictable and breathtaking visuals. Is that enough? It will be. The colours are so desaturated you'll wonder if the film was originally shot in black-and-white. There is colour there, however, and it evokes the look of ink drawings. It’s moody and makes you think of ancient powers whose reverberations still impact our world. One look at a set or a character unleashes a deluge of information. Even if you don’t know what the movie is actually about, you understand where everyone stands because what’s here is largely universal in a primeval kind of way. It's familiar without being predictable.

The more Shadow sits with me, the more I like it. Initially drawn in by the story and the action, I’m now enchanted by the symbolism. This is the kind of movie you’ll rewatch and always discover something new. (Original Mandarin with English subtitles, April 3, 2020)

[sixplusfive]

[CLIP] HaHaHaHaHa S3E7 Part 1 [2023.04.15] Guessing Song MuZi's Age Cut

Source (raw):

WeTV Official

Disclaimer under the cut

Translations may contain inaccuracies! Mandarin is not my first language, and I don’t have full cultural context cause I don't live in China.

Askbox is open to corrections if any!

Small request:

Please don't claim the translation as yours! 🙏🏼

[shenzhiheng]

Boya. One of us will face the real culprit. You must be careful. Take care.

The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity (2020)

[theogmrpandabear]

Yo, Shout out to Jurassic World: Chaos Theory for showcasing hippos for the Terrifying Apex Predators they truly are

Makes me feel good knowing even giant Dinos that could stomp me outta existence are terrified of em

These fuckers are ready and willing to throw hands with a large carnivorous dinosaur three times their size

God truly went all out for these creatures

[letthefairyinyoufly]

[xiaolanhua]

The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity 晴雅集 (2020) Dir. by Edward Guo

[hlcyxnfilms]

THE YIN YANG MASTER : DREAM OF ETERNITY ( 2020 ) ─ AN ANCIENT BYGONE

[chineseredcarpet]

Deng Chao for Wimbledon

[trashcanniballecter]

Moo Deng my beloved

[shenzhiheng]

The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity (2020)

[namjhyun]

DRAMA REVIEW | You Are Desire (2023)

From the very start I was very impressed with this drama. The first episode felt grounded in reality and presented all the main characters as young adults behaving like such but also with a level of maturity that felt respectful. Sometimes youth dramas don't know how to balance the growing pains, friendship and romance but You Are Desire does it perfectly.

Xia Feng Yan created a story with solid development based on actual growing from well rounded characters that act and react in ways that feel natural. I am amazed this is her first project and I will keep an eye on her because she has a bright future.

Deng Ke (My Huckelberry Friends) also started in the industry as a screenwriter before transitioning into directing, so it was a perfect fold for Xia's story. He understood the assignment and complemented the script with beautiful cinematography, camera movements and choice of cast.

This drama could have died in the hands of a lesser cast but Zhou Yiran and Zhuang Dafei carried the drama flawlessly. Most of the story centers around them and how they interact with others when loneliness has been a part of their young lives for a long time. The supporting cast were also at their best, each with their own lives and struggles which made them well rounded individuals and not an artifact to push the leads's story.

All of these elements created a beautiful group of people dealing with different experiences. A slice of life drama where we understand the world is not always fair and parents make mistakes; where people need to learn to grieve in a healthy way. That families can all look very different from each other and that's okay as long there's love. That you don't always pass the university exam and your workplace might suck. A world where you fall in love and support one another as you grow together with a clear understanding of each other. That life can be sweeter when you are surrounded of good people who truly appreciate you.

Overall, You Are Desire it's a wonderful story that enjoyed from the very first episode to the last one. Criminally underrated, for sure, as I don't understand how more people are not talking about what is probably one of 2023's best cdramas.

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: The Journey of Chong Zi (2023)

【南华后台直击】片场逗乐时刻有！戏里个个仙姿绰然，风度翩翩，戏外纯纯喜剧人，整活还得看你们的“紫”家人千万别客气，赶紧戳视频抢“鲜”看！#重紫

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mxqg864yu0