Tale of the Sea (film)

Tale of the Sea  (: 海之說) is a 1973 Kodeshi  directed by Liang Zhenyu and starring Wang Xueqi and Zhang Ziyi. It tells the story of a young fisherman who falls in love with a princess who is betrothed to a powerful warlord. Set in the turbulent era of the Kodeshi Civil War, the film explores themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice against the backdrop of a nation torn by conflict.

Plot
The film begins with a voice-over narration that introduces the historical background of Kodeshia in 1927. The country is divided by internal conflict into two factions: the remains of Imperial Government as part of Northern Alliance under Emperor Qinghuiguo (played by Chen Kaige) with Field Marshal Yuan Guozhang (played by Sun Honglei), who seeks to unify Kodeshia under the Emperor's rule; and the Southern Coalition led by Admiral Guo Guotai (played by Xi Jintao) and General Tang Xueliang (played by Jiang Wen), who advocates for democracy and autonomy. The two sides are engaged in a bloody war that has lasted for years. Additionally there is third faction of Feriuz Hydar (played by Teng Jie although in the original this was uncredited) who broke away into what is present day HCCK. He subordinate General Zhang Zhongliang (played by Hu Jiabao)

In Songhari the capital city of Kodeshia and a stronghold of the Imperial Government, Princess Yuanyuan (played by Zhang Ziyi) is preparing for her wedding with General Zhang. She is unhappy with her arranged marriage but feels obliged to obey her mother, Empress Dowager Qiu (played by Liang Xueqin), who hopes to secure an alliance with General Zhang. She secretly longs for freedom and adventure.

One day, she sneaks out of the palace disguised as a commoner and wanders around the city. She encounters Lin Feng (played by Wang Xueqi), a young fisherman who works at the harbour. He is kind-hearted and optimistic despite his humble background. He dreams of sailing across the sea one day. He saves Yuanyuan from some street thugs who try to rob her and invites her to join him on his boat.

Yuanyuan accepts his offer and enjoys spending time with him on his boat. They share their stories and aspirations with each other and gradually fall in love. Lin Feng does not know Yuanyuan’s true identity but senses that she is hiding something from him. Meanwhile, General Zhang grows suspicious of Yuanyuan’s frequent absences from the palace and sends his men to follow her. He discovers her affair with Lin Feng and becomes furious. He orders his men to capture Lin Feng and bring him to him.

Yuanyuan learns about General Zhang’s plan from one of her loyal maidservants (played by Gong Li) and decides to run away with Lin Feng before it’s too late. She reveals her true identity to him and asks him to elope with her across the sea where they can be free together. Lin Feng is shocked but also touched by Yuanyuan’s love for him. He agrees to escape with her but they are soon surrounded by General Zhang’s soldiers at the harbour.

A fierce fight ensues between Lin Feng’s fellow fishermen friends (led by Donnie Yen) who try to help them escape and General Zhang’s soldiers who try to stop them. At the same time Songhari falls into chaos as Southern Coalition led by Admiral Guo Guotai attack the city leading to General Zhang and the Northern Alliance's forces evacuating and in the chaos. Lin Feng manages to board his boat with Yuanyuan but he is wounded during the fight. He sails away from Songhari bypassing the fleet of the Southern Coalition while being chased by General Zhang’s ships. He tells Yuanyuan that he loves her before he dies in her arms. Yuanyuan cries over his body as she watches their boat drift towards the horizon.

Cast

 * Wang Xueqi as Lin Feng
 * Zhang Ziyi as Princess Yuanyuan
 * Hu Jiabao as General Zhang Zhongliang
 * Donnie Yen as Fisherman Leader
 * Gong Li as Maid Servant
 * Chen Kaige as Emperor Qinghuiguo
 * Liang Xueqin as Empress Dowager Qiu
 * Sun Honglei as Field Marshal Yuan Guozhang
 * Xi Jintao as Admiral Guo Guotai
 * Jiang Wen as General Tang Xueliang
 * Teng Jie (uncredited) as Feriuz Hydar

Production
In 1972, Progress Motion Picture Corporation underwent a major reform under its new director Chen Jiaxin, who was a former film critic and journalist. Chen wanted to revitalize Progress Motion Picture Corporation by introducing more artistic freedom and diversity to its films. He hired talented filmmakers such as Liang Zhenyu, who had previously worked as an assistant director for foreign films shot in Kodeshia.

Liang pitched his idea for Tale of the Sea to Chen, who was impressed by his vision and passion. Chen agreed to produce the film with a budget of Hz 15.23 billion (about $1 million at that time). He also gave Liang full creative control over the film.

Liang chose Wang Xueqi (played by himself) and Zhang Ziyi (played by herself) as his lead actors. Wang was a veteran actor who had starred in several acclaimed films such as The Spring River Flows East (1947) and The Red Detachment of Women (1961). Zhang was a newcomer who had just graduated from Songhari Film Academy. Liang saw their chemistry during an audition and decided to cast them as Lin Feng and Yuanyuan.

The film was shot on location in Songhari, which is the Imperial capital located on the coast of Kodeshia. The city has a rich history and culture that dates back to ancient times. It is also known for its scenic harbour and fishing industry.

The film faced some difficulties during its production due to political interference and censorship. Some scenes were deemed too sensitive or controversial by the authorities, such as Lin Feng’s death scene which implied criticism of General Zhang’s tyranny. Liang had to edit or reshoot some scenes to avoid trouble.

The film also faced some technical challenges due to its ambitious scale and scope. Liang wanted to create realistic battle scenes with explosions, gunfire, and ships. He hired stuntmen, pyrotechnicians, and special effects artists to achieve his vision.

The film took about six months to complete from pre-production to post-production.

Box Office
Tale of the Sea was released in 1973 in Kodeshia. It was a commercial success, grossing over Hz 60.92 billion (about $4 million at that time) at the box office. It was also a critical success. The film's unique portrayal of a tragic romance and its exploration of themes such as love, freedom, and political strife resonated with audiences, leading to a strong box office performance. The film grossed over Hz 60.92 billion (about $4 million Int$ at that time), solidifying the place of director Liang Zhenyu allowing him to move forward on future projects.

Critics and audiences alike praised the film's direction, cinematography, and acting performances. Zhang Ziyi's portrayal of Princess Yuanyuan was widely lauded, with many critics commending her ability to convey the character's complex emotions and inner turmoil. Liang Xueqin's performance as the Empress Dowager was also highly praised, with critics noting her commanding presence on screen.

Overall, Tale of the Sea was a critical and commercial success, cementing its place as a beloved classic of Kodeshi cinema.

Critical Response
The critical response to Tale of the Sea was overwhelmingly positive. Critics praised the film's epic scope and grand storytelling, noting the skillful direction of Liang Zhenyu and the breathtaking cinematography by Zhao Fei. The film's historical accuracy was also praised, as well as its portrayal of Kodeshia's unique matrilineal society. Wang Xueqi of the Kodeshi Daily News called it " a sweeping historical drama that captures the tumultuous era of Kodeshia's past with stunning detail and nuance." Noting that Director Liang Zhenyu has created a film that is both "epic in scale and deeply personal in its emotional resonance." .

While Shao Qin of The KTEC Cultural & Arts Review called the film "a masterpiece of Kodeshian cinema," noting the breath-taking cinematography and powerful performances from the entire cast. Saying the story is a "compelling mix of political intrigue, romance, and tragedy that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats until the very end." The performances of the cast were widely acclaimed, with particular praise for Zhang Ziyi's portrayal of Princess Yuanyuan. Critics noted her ability to convey both the strength and vulnerability of her character, as well as the chemistry between her and Wang Xueqi's Lin Feng. Chen Kaige's performance as Emperor Qinghuiguo was also singled out for its gravitas and commanding presence.

However some critics were more negative with Bo Caihou of The Grienstien Herald noting "Tale of the Sea takes far too long to get going, and even when the action finally picks up, it's often interrupted by unnecessary flashbacks and exposition." and that "The central romance between Princess Yuanyuan and Lin Feng feels forced and lacks chemistry, and the supporting characters are woefully underdeveloped." Additionally some foreign critics like Hur Min Ho of the Seulgwang Times said "Its portrayal of Kodeshi history is problematic. The film glorifies the imperial system and presents a one-sided view of the country's political turmoil, ignoring the valid concerns of those who advocated for democracy and human rights."

In addition to its success in Kodeshia, the film received international recognition and acclaim. It was selected as Kodeshia’s entry for the Anterra Academy Award for Best International Feature Film but it was not nominated. The film was also screened at several prestigious international film festivals where it was met with critical acclaim.

Controversy
The film faced controversy from some groups and individuals who objected to its portrayal of Feriuz Hydar, as well as several other issues within the film. The Haqiqatan Confederation of Central Kesh (HCCK) was particularly vocal in its criticism, objecting to the portrayal of Feriuz Hydar as a morally questionable figure who oppressed the Kodeshi people. According to representatives for the HCCK, Hydar was a respected leader who helped bring stability to the region and fostered positive relations between Kodeshia and the surrounding territories.

In addition to the controversy surrounding Feriuz Hydar's portrayal and that of his villainous fictional subordinate General Zhang Zhongliang, the film was also criticized for its lack of historical accuracy regarding the character of Princess Yuanyuan. Some historians and scholars argued that the film's depiction of Yuanyuan was inaccurate and one-dimensional, presenting her only as a victim rather than as a complex and multifaceted historical figure.

Furthermore, some critics and commentators argued that the film presented a one-sided view of Kodeshi history, glorifies the imperial system and ignoring the valid concerns of those who advocated for democracy and human rights. Additionally its portrayal of the Kodeshi people as almost uniformly virtuous and heroic, while presenting other cultures and societies as inherently flawed or villainous. Some felt that this portrayal reinforced harmful stereotypes and perpetuated a narrow and biased view of history.

Awards
The film won several awards and nominations at various film festivals and ceremonies. It won four Baeksang Arts Awards for Best Film, Best Director (Liang Zhenyu), Best Actor (Wang Xueqi), and Best Actress (Zhang Ziyi). It also won three 11th Golden Dragon Awards for Best Film, Best Director (Liang Zhenyu), and Best Cinematography (Zhang Yimou). It received two nominations at the Kodeshi Film Critics Association Awards for Best Film and Best Screenplay (Liu Xiaoyu). The film won the following awards: