"The smoke billows and sings the heroes, and the green hills are all around to listen..." Whenever the familiar melody of " Heroes Praise " plays, it always brings us into the beacon years of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. It is precisely because of the sacrifices like the protagonist Wang Cheng who "fire at me for victory!" that we have a stable life today.
Wang Cheng has become one of the most popular film classics in the last century, and the film actor Liu Shilong who played Wang Cheng has become famous and an excellent performance artist.
Liu Shilong has a successful career, but his love life is full of twists and turns. He had three marriages, and he suffered misfortune in his later years, sending his wife and children away one after another.
On September 27, 2017, 11 days after winning the Golden Rooster Award "Lifetime Achievement Award", 87-year-old Liu Shilong passed away, and fans came to see him off. On November 22, 1930, Liu Shilong was born in a military family in Shitai Town, Huaibei City, Anhui Province. His father, Liu Zong, was devoted to the army and served as a guerrilla captain. His mother was also the president of the Women's Rescue Association and an underground traffic liaison officer. Liu Shilong grew up in a revolutionary family.
Because his parents were busy with the revolution, Liu Shilong was sent to the Army United School to study at the age of 9, and he also served as the chief's orderly. Liu Shilong showed excellent artistic talent and talent in school.
After graduating, Liu Shilong became an official soldier, engaged in cultural and publicity work in the army, and served as the captain of the drama team of the art troupe.
At the age of 16, Liu Shilong joined the Communist Party of China. After returning from studying at the Southwest People's Drama School, he served as the head of the Erye 48th Art Troupe. Liu Shilong participated in major battles such as the Huaihai Campaign, the Crossing the River Campaign, and the Southwest Suppression of Bandits.
Liu Shilong
After the founding of New China, Liu Shilong left the army and was sent to Beijing Film School to study. After professional performance training, Liu Shilong's acting skills improved by leaps and bounds.
In 1953, Liu Shilong graduated and was assigned to the Northeast Film Studio to become a professional film actor. Since 1954, Liu Shilong has successively participated in more than 10 films such as " Shajiadian Grain Station ", "Dong Cunrui", " Cliff ", " Sea Eagle " and so on. .
In 1960, Liu Shilong first starred in the movie "Hongyan" as Li Yunfei, a village postman. When
was filming a story about delivering a mail in a snowstorm and freezing cold, Liu Shilong rolled down a cliff nearly 9 meters high and was seriously injured, but he endured severe pain and insisted on finishing the filming. At the end of 1960, Changchun Film Studio and Guangxi Film Studio decided to put the story of Liu Sanjie on the screen.
Stills
The director of the film at the time Tian Han recommended Huang Wanqiu from Guilin to play the heroine Liu Sanjie. Huang Wanqiu is only 16 years old, beautiful in appearance and sweet in singing, but has no experience in film acting. Therefore, it is very important to choose the actor of the male lead, A Niu.
must first have rich acting experience, be able to understand the director's intention well, and bring the heroine into the play quickly. Secondly, the actors must have good water quality. Because the film was filmed in Guangxi, Anniu often had to swim, catch fish and row in the water, so the "land ducks" were incompetent.
and Liu Shilong possessed both, and finally stood out and became the actor candidate. The conditions at that time were very difficult, and everyone could not eat enough. Liu Shilong got a sweet potato and had to divide it into several portions to share with everyone.
In order not to waste the film, Liu Shilong copied down the lines he was going to say the next day, put it on the top of the mosquito net, and then went to sleep with peace of mind.
Liu Shilong
Liu Shilong also became Huang Wanqiu's instructor. He told Huang Wanqiu not to be too rigid about his lines, but to focus on the performance on the spot.
Huang Wanqiu quickly entered the role, performing a witty and perfect image of Liu Sanjie. The loyal and kind-hearted "Aniu" contributed to itNo.
"Liu Sanjie" caused a huge sensation after its release, and quickly conquered the audience with "beautiful people, beautiful songs and beautiful scenery". The young Huang Wanqiu became popular overnight and became a big star in the Chinese circle. Guilin is also famous at home and abroad for the beauty of "the best mountains and rivers in the world".
Liu Shilong, as a "green leaf", well set off the "red flower" of Huang Wanqiu, and naturally became famous because of "Liu Sanjie".
Liu Shilong
Wang Cheng, who successfully played the role of "Heroes and Children"
Although Liu Shilong has become famous, he always wanted to be the protagonist in a war movie and create the image of an ordinary soldier. Opportunity awaits those who are prepared.
In 1964, the film "Heroes and Sons" was in preparation, and Liu Shilong finally had the opportunity to fulfill his long-cherished wish.
"Heroes and Children" is adapted from the novel "Reunion" by Bajin . In the winter of 1952, Ba Jin led the Literary Federation creative team to the front-line battlefield in North Korea. He witnessed the touching scene of the 6th Company of a certain regiment in the battle against "Hongshanbao". After returning to China, Ba Jin began to create.
In 1961, the novella "Reunion" came out, which aroused strong repercussions. The novel describes the volunteer army soldier Wang Cheng's heroic sacrifice on the Korean battlefield, and the story of his sister Wang Fang finally reuniting with her biological father and adoptive father on the Korean battlefield.
"Heroes and Children" stills
The Ministry of Culture asked Changchun Film Studio to adapt "Reunion" into a movie.
The film shooting task finally fell to the famous director Wu Zhaodi . The screenwriter Mao Feng spent a lot of energy adapting the novel into a movie script, named "Heroes and Children". The
movie has entered the actual shooting stage, and the director team has been looking for actors all over the country. Wang Fang's actor and Liu Shangxian had the best luck. Liu Shangxian was still studying at Film Academy at that time. On her way back to the dormitory from the prop library, she happened to meet Xie Jin who came to choose an actor. The moment
passed by, Xie Jin fell in love with Liu Shangxian at a glance, and finally he went to the girls' dormitory to find Liu Shangxian. The competition for the actor Wang Cheng was fierce. At that time, many actors sent resumes or came to audition. But director Wu Zhaodi never found a satisfactory candidate.
Liu Shangxian
Liu Shilong also came to recommend himself after learning the news. When he appeared in a military uniform, Wu Zhaodi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he believed that Liu Shilong was the best person to play Wang Cheng. However, the superior leaders thought that Liu Shilong was short, and some did not conform to the tall image of a hero.
Ke Wu Zhaodi thinks that Wang Chengcheng is an ordinary warrior, and his image bursts out during the battle.
At the insistence of Wu Zhaodi, Liu Shilong was left by the crew to try it out. In order to seize this hard-won opportunity, Liu Shilong returned to the military camp and began to experience life.
He goes out with the soldiers every day to exercise, stand guard, and conduct bomb-dropping and shooting training. Three months later, Liu Shilong's skin was tanned and his military quality was greatly improved. During the training interval, Liu Shilong pondered the script carefully and figured out the movements and psychology of the characters. After coming out of the barracks, he has completely integrated with "Wang Cheng".
Wu Zhaodi
In the summer of 1964, "Heroes and Sons" was officially launched. The post-production technology at that time was far less advanced than it is now, and some scenes were completely filmed, and Liu Shilong suffered a lot. The final scene was the classic shot of "Shoot me for victory!"
This is the climax of the whole play. In order to highlight the effect, the pyrotechnician set up 108 dynamite points on the shooting site. When Liu Shilong entered the position, Wu Zhaodi gave an order, and the explosives exploded one by one. Smoke billowed from the position, and the fire burst into the sky.
Liu Shilong felt that the skin of his whole body was sore from being roasted, and his face was hot. The smoke choked the eyes, nose and throat very hard.
Unfortunately, there was a gust of wind blowing in front of him, and the flames rushed towards him, burning his eyebrows and temples, and several large blisters appeared on his raised hands.
Liu Shilong
If Liu Shilong called to stop and quit at this time, it would be understandable, but he thought, in this way, all the arrangements of the crewIt is wasted, and the precious film has to be scrapped. Liu Shilong thought to himself that the "Wang Cheng" he played was a hero who could even sacrifice his life. How could he be a "deserter"?
Thinking of this, Liu Shilong burst into arrogance. He endured the pain, bravely rushed into the fire, and successfully completed the shooting task. After the release of
"Children of Heroes", it set off a nationwide viewing craze and won unanimous praise from the film industry and the audience.
Premier Zhou also went to see the film in his busy schedule, and wrote a letter to the Ministry of Culture to praise it after watching it. And Liu Shilong perfectly interprets the heroic image of "Wang Cheng" who is brave and persevering and sees death as home. "Children of Heroes" has become one of the unsurpassed classic films in Chinese film history, and it has also achieved the peak of Liu Shilong's acting career.
Stills
Unfortunate in his later years, after sending his wife and children away one after another
"Heroes and Children", Liu Shilong is still active in front of the screen, and he successively participated in the filming of "Independent Brigade", "Iron Giant", "Dragon Lake", "Bear Trail"10 remaining movies.
In 1990, Liu Shilong, who was in his sixties, starred in the work of closing the mountain - "Absurd Adventure".
But these works have never been more influential than "Children of Heroes". In 2005, in the selection of the 10th China Film Performing Arts Society " Golden Phoenix Award ", Liu Shilong won the "Special Honor Award".
Liu Shilong's career is smooth and successful. However, in his emotional life, there were twists and turns, and in his later years, he suffered the misfortune of losing his wife and children. Before
became famous in "Liu Sanjie", Liu Shilong had a marriage. His first wife Lu Min was three years younger than him, and the two were alumni of Beiying . Lu Min was assigned to Changchun Film Studio one year later, and has appeared in films such as "Shangrao Concentration Camp" and "Satisfied or Not".
Liu Shilong
Lu Min was also born in a revolutionary family. After being introduced by a friend, the two tied the knot and soon gave birth to their son Liu Xiaolong. However, after the marriage, the differences in the personalities of the two gradually emerged. In addition, the two parties were busy filming, and there were few meetings and separations, and conflicts followed.
One day, Lu Min suddenly told Liu Shilong that he already had someone else in his heart. Although Liu Shilong tried hard to persuade her to get lost, Lu Min insisted on divorce. After Lu Min remarried, his son lived with Liu Shilong. During the filming of "Liu Sanjie" by
, Liu Shilong had a good impression of Huang Wanqiu. In fact, Huang Wanqiu had a good impression of the mature and stable Liu Shilong. After seeing Liu Shilong's thoughts, Su Li, who was in the director group at that time, wanted to match them.
Huang Wanqiu
However, Liu Shilong was concerned that the two were 13 years apart in age. He was divorced and had children, so he couldn't help but retire. After
and other "Liu Sanjie" filming, Huang Wanqiu started to become popular, and this secret love ended before it even started, and it ended without a hitch.
As the saying goes, "If you lose the east, you will reap the mulberry." Two years later, Mongolian dancer Mang Shuangying walked into Liu Shilong's life. Mang Shuangying was born in Jilin in August 1939 and graduated from Beijing Dance School.
Mang Shuangying is a very good dance performance artist. Her solo dance performances such as "Spring River Flower Moon Night" and "Cuckoo Girl" have won many awards. Later, she also served as the chairman of Jilin Dancers Association. The Jilin Provincial Song and Dance Troupe where Mang Shuangying works is not far from the Changchun Film Studio where Liu Shilong is located.
A friend of Liu Shilong fell in love with Mang Shuangying. In 1963, after Liu Shilong finished filming "Independence Brigade", he returned to the factory for vacation. The friend asked Liu Shilong to send a letter and a few pounds of peanuts to Mang Shuangying. When the two met for the first time, the young, beautiful and slender Mang Shuangying made Liu Shilong feel good.
Mang Shuangying
and Mang Shuangying also heard about Liu Shilong. Seven years ago, when Liu Shilong was filming in Changli, Xiao Yang of the crew was accidentally swept away by the river. Jumped into the rapids, rescued Xiao Yang, and then performed artificial respiration for him, and Xiao Yang turned the corner.
Liu Shilong's courageous deeds spread in the circle, and Mang Shuangying admired it in his heart.
After seeing the real person this time, Mang Shuangying was deeply attracted by the handsome, mighty, sincere and simple Liu Shilong.
Mang Shuangying rejected the friend's pursuit, but in turn took the initiative to pursue Liu Shilong. Although Liu Shilong is somewhat famous, he has been divorced, he is 9 years older than Mang Shuangying, and even his salary is one level lower than the other, he is still a little ashamed. But Mang Shuangying doesn't care about these worldly things. After communication, the two get closer and closer.
Liu Shilong and his wife
On Labor Day in 1966, Liu Shilong and Mang Shuangying got married and gave birth to two sons. The husband and wife are very loving. Mang Shuangying also regards Liu Xiaolong as his own, and the family is happy and happy.
However, "there are unforeseen circumstances", and bad luck came to Liu Shilong one after another. In 1976, Lu Min committed suicide. In 1990, Liu Xiaolong suffered a car accident in the army and died at the age of 36.
Liu Shilong's white-haired man sent a black-haired man, the pain in his heart can be imagined.
As the saying goes, "Misfortunes do not come singly". In 1999, Mang Shuangying, who had just reached his sixtieth year, was diagnosed with leukemia , which was like a bolt from the blue for Liu Shilong, although he accompanied him day and night and took good care of him, in March 2000 Yue, Mang Shuangying still passed away. Liu Shilong lost his son and wife one after another, and he did not come out of the blow for a long time.
Liu Shilong in his later years
In 2002, Liu Shilong was a guest on CCTV's " Golden Years " program. He couldn't help but cry when he mentioned Mang Shuangying. This revelation of true feelings brought him the third marriage in his life. Chang Jiarui, a cadre of Taiyuan Insurance Company, who was sitting in front of the TV, was moved by Liu Shilong.
Chang Jiarui is a die-hard Liu Shilong fan. She was only 38 years old. Her husband died in a car accident on a business trip four years ago. After
saw Liu Shilong's misfortune, Chang Jiarui felt the same way and sympathized with each other. So Chang Jiarui bravely picked up the phone and called the Changchun Film Studio, and found Liu Shilong after a while.
She expresses her love straight to the point. However, Liu Shilong thought this was too outrageous and regarded her as just a fanatical fan. Unexpectedly, Chang Jiarui flew directly to Changchun to have an interview with Liu Shilong. Chang Jiarui's move was understood by his father of the same age as Liu Shilong, and the children of both sides also expressed their support.
Liu Shilong and Chang Jiarui
went back and forth, and their relationship quickly heated up. In June 2003, 73-year-old Liu Shilong and Chang Jiarui, who was 34 years younger than him, finally got married. To many people's surprise, this marriage of old and young is very sweet.
The two often walk, watch movies and travel together, and they work well together.
For more than 10 years after their marriage, Chang Jiarui took good care of Liu Shilong. Liu Shilong, who has passed his old age, has a second spring. He is the captain of the Changchun Winter Swimming Team and won the runner-up in the 70-year-old age group at the 2004 International Winter Swimming Invitational Tournament.
Liu Shilong lived in a nursing home in Shenyang in his later years, and he also actively participated in various activities.
In November 2013, Liu Shilong served as a judge on CCTV's "Looking for Liu Sanjie" program.
Liu Shilong
On September 16, 2017, Liu Shilong won the "Golden Rooster Lifetime Achievement Award". Liu Shilong was already in bed at this time, and his son Liu Xiaoyang went to the scene to accept the award on his behalf, and read Liu Shilong's handwritten letter. I expressed my gratitude to the fans and raised hope for the younger generation of filmmakers.
11 days later, Liu Shilong died of illness in Changchun at the age of 87. After the news of
came out, fans expressed their condolences one after another, and Liu Xiaolingtong posted that it was "a big loss to the film industry".
On September 30, Liu Shilong's memorial service was held at Changchun Xiyuan . Many of Liu Shilong's friends and fans came to the scene to attend the farewell ceremony, many of whom had gray hair. Someone dressed as "Wang Cheng" and pulled a banner to send Liu Shilong the last ride.
Liu Shilong
Liu Shilong has a very rich life experience. From soldier to soldier, he has always pursued his dream, and finally achieved brilliant achievements and became a respected artist.
His marriage and family life has gone through ups and downs. Fortunately, he has gained love and happiness through the ordeal. After the death of
, it was for him that the fans came to see him off spontaneouslyRecognition of artistic skill and unpretentious and peaceful character.
Liu Shilong and his heroic classic "Wang Cheng" will be recorded in the annals of Chinese film history together and will be remembered by the world.
References
, "For Victory, Fire at Me" - Missing Liu Shilong, CCTV, August 12, 2022;
"Listen to <英雄儿女>'s past in Harbin," New Evening News, September 30, 2017;
"Liu Shilong, who played Wang Cheng in the movie <英雄儿女>, dies", China Central Broadcasting Corporation, September 28, 2017.
