Review: The Pot Mender (Hunan Flower Drum Opera)

Title: The Pot Mender(补锅)
Genre: Hunan Flower Drum opera (湖南花鼓戏)
Format: Chinese opera movie
Production year: About 1964
Director: Zhang Jianjun
Script: Tang Zhou, Xu Shuhui
Script: Zhang Guohui
Casts: Zhong Yichun as Madam Liu, Li Guyi as Liu Lanying, Peng Fuguang as Li Xiaocong

---

At first glance...

Hunan Flower Drum opera is the main opera genre of Hunan province with a history of over 200 years. As this opera has its roots from the local folk music and dance, the opera has got a strong local flavour, and it's music is cheerful and melodious.

Synopsis

This show was set in post-revolutionary period of China in the countryside. Pig farmer Madam Liu has a daughter Lanying whom she had always dreamt of her marrying off to someone highly educated and has a good career. She did not know that Lanying was actually in love with a pot mender, an occupation had always looked down upon. One day, Madam Liu broke her pot used for cooking pig food and had to use her rice pot as a temporary backup. She told Lanying to find a pot mender fast so that the pot could be fixed soon. Lanying then collude with her boyfriend, Li Xiaocong, to make use of this opportunity to try and change the mindset of Madam Liu.

Xiaocong turned up at Madam Liu's residence, pretending not to know Lanying. Madam Liu was initially skeptical about Xiaocong's professionalism due to his young age, but was later impressed by his skillful techniques. Xiaocong then hinted that his "mother-in-law" still looked down on him despite his skills. Madam Liu sided with his "mother-in-law", thus making Lanying and Xiaocong worried: they need to change their tactic

Xiaocong decided not to finish the job for Madam Liu and pretended to leave. In desperation, Madam Liu threatened that he would not have pork to eat if he were to leave as the piglets she rear would die of starvation because she could not cook pig food for them. Xiaocong then retorted that no pot menders would dare to come to her house if she refused to change her opinion about pot menders. Madam Liu went speechless. After some thoughts, she realised her foolishness in condemning people of their occupation. On seeing her change of mind, Xiaocong disclosed his true identity and Madam Liu finally accepted Xiaocong as her son-in-law.

Review

I have no idea what the show is all about before watching it, but after sitting through the show for the first few minutes, I was getting worried. Before this, I did have have any good impression for shows which were set in the post-revolutionary era as such shows usually have political themes revolving good-vs-evil and patroitism to the Communist Party, something which I dread to watch. However, after going through half the show, I find that this show was somehow different. Though there are political hints here and there at times, it was rather subtle, or at the very least I was able to finish the show!

For the cast, there are only three actors altogether. Of these three, I only know Li Guyi as a first class classical singer in China, but has been with Hunan Flower Drum opera company for about a decade in the 60s as an actress. Her portrayal of Lanying very cute, with eyes that almost looked as if they could talk. Zhong Yichun, who assumed the role of Madam Liu, was full of expressions and her acting was very down-to-earth, yet do not give the impression that she wasn't doing Chinese opera. Peng Fuguang's role as Li Xiaocong was a bit smaller compared to the other two, but what I like about him is that his singing was soothing to listen to. His tunes were rather high-pitched, but his singing was not sqeaky.

This show was quite well directed too in my opinion. I like the part when Madam Liu asked for Xiaocong's name, he almost blurted out his full name. In a state of panic, Lanying quickly squatted down to chop vegetables. Xiaocong got the hint and quickly changed his statement, and Lanying slowed down her chopping tempo in relief. There was also another part whereby this young couple had to collude discreetly in the presence of Madam Liu, hence they'd lift up the pot to cover Madam Liu's face and speak in front of the pot. I think these 2 scenes were very interesting, and they were effective in trying to bring across the meaning behind.

Overall, this is by far the only post-revolutionary based Chinese opera that I enjoyed. The storyline is very simple, but at the same time very easy to relate to as well. The music of the opera, which is very Hunanese, added colour and flavour to the show, making it a very pleasant show to watch.

Ratings

Script

Music

Casts

Video quality

Final rating