The Dream of Red Mansions (2010 TV series)

The Dream of Red Mansions

The Dream of Red Mansions' intertitle
Also known as 红楼梦
Genre Drama
Written by Cao Xueqin (original novel)
Directed by Li Shaohong
Creative director(s) Ye Jintian
Starring Yang Yang
Jiang Mengjie
Bai Bing
Yao Di
Zhou Caiqin
Kuei Ya-lei
Ma Xiaocan
Country of origin China
Original language(s) Mandarin
No. of episodes 50
Production
Producer(s) Han Sanping
Running time 45 minutes per episode
Broadcast
Picture format 16:9 HD
Original airing July 6, 2010
The Dream of Red Mansions

Promotional poster
Simplified Chinese 红楼梦
Traditional Chinese 紅樓夢
Hanyu Pinyin Hónglóu Mèng

The Dream of Red Mansions is a 2010 Chinese television series, produced by Han Sanping and directed by Fifth Generation director Li Shaohong. One of the most expensive Chinese TV series ever made at RMB118 million (US$17.55 million),[1] it is a new adaptation of the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber. The series, comprising 50 episodes, made its debut on July 6, 2010 on 9 terrestrial networks across China.[2]

The director was originally slated to be Hu Mei, but Hu clashed with the producers over the cast selection, and was replaced by Li Shaohong in October 2007.[3][4] The 2010 TV series faced controversy over its cast, the stylized, kunqu-inspired hairdo, as well as a generally negative press after its July 6 debut.[5][6]

Plot summary

Unlike the 1987 version, this series adapts the Cheng-Gao version. The 2010 series reproduces large segments of the book's pre-modern Beijing dialog, often in full.[6] Another feature is its heavy use of a male voice-over reciting much of the book's narrative.

Cast

Reception

The 2010 remake was controversial from the start, since the 1987 version was highly acclaimed and few critics were convinced a modern version will match its predecessor. Following a highly publicized casting call, director Hu Mei was replaced by Li Shaohong in 2007. Li courted more controversy by adopting a stylized kunqu-inspired hairstyle (dubbed "coined heads" 铜钱头/銅錢頭 (Tóngqián tóu) by netizens) for her female cast members, as advised by Hong Kong art director Ye Jintian. Many viewers find the hairstyle grotesquely unrealistic.[7][8]

Response to the series after its debut was mixed,[9] but was largely negative.[10] It was panned by some newspapers,[11][12] with one referring to it as a pre-modern version of the pop idol drama Meteor Garden.[13] Audience expressed dismay over its use of music,[3] and the use of make-up was also criticized. Some Redologist scholars voiced their disappointment with the somewhat juvenile acting and script adaptation.[14] Director Li was under enormous pressure owing to the negative feedback and broke down during a Beijing press conference held on 7 July 2010, her birthday.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "新《红楼》8年耗资1.18亿 投资方称年收益率低_网易娱乐". Ent.163.com. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  2. ↑ "记者说"红楼" 新版《红楼梦》群起而看之(图)". Book.ce.cn. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 F_363. "Nightmare of Red Mansions - People's Daily Online". English.peopledaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  4. ↑ "新版《红楼梦》启动 李少红接替胡玫原因有三(图)_中国网". China.com.cn. 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1
  7. ↑ "新《红楼梦》造型三大硬伤 铜钱头苍白脸很另类_娱乐_腾讯网". Ent.qq.com. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 ""人民公敌"李少红？ 新版《红楼梦》的六宗罪_网易娱乐". Ent.163.com. 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  9. ↑ "四川在线：新《红楼梦》再续辉煌还是恶俗炒作_网易娱乐". Ent.163.com. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  10. ↑ "人民日报：李少红和新《红楼》该如何面对批评_网易娱乐". Ent.163.com. 2010-08-05. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  11. ↑ "新京报系列评论：李少红上了红学家的当_网易娱乐". Ent.163.com. 2010-09-07. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  12. ↑ "今日早报：这款《红楼梦》更像《西游记》_网易娱乐". Ent.163.com. 2010-07-27. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  13. ↑ "京华时报：新《红楼梦》满眼荒唐剧不见辛酸戏_网易娱乐". Ent.163.com. 2010-09-09. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
  14. ↑ "演员素质低 红学家提起新红楼气不打一处来_雅虎文化". Cul.cn.yahoo.com. 2010-07-06. Retrieved 2011-10-25.

External links