Original title: "Iron Will": Blood and Tenderness
's recently released industrial theme film "Iron Will" is adapted from real events, telling the early days of the founding of New China, in the face of the urgent need for steel to resist US aggression and aid Korea and socialist construction, China The story of the communists uniting and leading the working class, overcoming many obstacles, going through untold hardships, and making outstanding contributions to the development of the steel industry in New China. The title of the film "Steel Will" is, of course, a historical description of an industrial production, but it is also an accurate depiction of the spirit of the new Chinese steel workers represented by the factory director Zhao Tiechi - restoring steel production requires a steel-like will. The film embodies the deep meaning of "steel" in terms of plot layout and characterization, so that the majestic and unrestrained aesthetic style fills the picture, and a sense of power arises spontaneously. The
film does not intend to focus on the battle scene, but it describes three sacrifices in great detail: in the battle to liberate Anshan Iron and Steel, the bullet penetrated the chest of the PLA soldier Chen Xiaobu, and on the way to Anshan, he was still smiling. He told Zhao Tiechi that he would follow him to be an honorable worker in Anshan Iron and Steel; the veteran who could not change his local accent congratulated him on discovering the abnormality of engineer Wang Bo, and followed closely behind, saving the blast furnace from blowing up, but he could never meet his new daughter-in-law again. ; Comrade Zhou Gang planned to follow Zhao Tiechi, but died on the Korean battlefield. Sacrifice is a fearless choice made by heroes to safeguard the righteousness of the country and the country. Chen Xiaobu, congratulations and Zhou Gang's generosity in dying is not only a concentrated expression of their heroic personalities, but also the deep motivation of the story to make steel and make it well - Meng Tai Facing the sacrifices of his apprentices and comrades-in-arms, Zhao Tiechi strengthened his determination to overcome difficulties.
For film creation, solid character building is very important, and the premise of solidity is to have arc and growth. Zhao Tiechi, the protagonist of "Iron Will", is a fighting hero, and steelmaking is a phased "combat" mission for him, so he issued a military order to make molten iron. The process of restoring blast furnace production was full of hardships, the destruction of the enemy, the doubts of experts, and the real dilemma. Zhao Tiechi led the workers to overcome them one by one and smelted the first molten iron. Meng Tai, who returned from North Korea's condolences, brought back the news of the sacrifice of his comrades, which became an inspiring event for the film. Only then did Zhao Tiechi's oath in front of Zhou Gang's tomb "I use life as a melting pot, and I must make the hardest steel", which echoes the military order at the beginning, and the character arc rises from this. In addition, there are also images of the great artisan Meng Tai and the courageous and resourceful Sun Xuefei, all of whom made selfless dedication to the first furnace of molten iron in New China with extraordinary courage and steel-like will.
It is worth mentioning Meng Tai, a powerful character in the film. Meng Tai's "strength" lies not only in his superb skills and status as a model worker, but also in the deep-rooted flesh-and-blood relationship between him and his family and Ansteel. The three dinner scenes at Meng Tai's house best reflect the selfless beauty of this family. During that difficult period, Meng Tai slaughtered his own suckling pigs to increase nutrition for the experts, but his four children looked at the meat and swallowed their saliva, so sensible and poignant. There is a very artistic and ingenious scene in the plot: Meng Tai cut a pig tail into several sections, gave them to the children, picked up the thinnest section by himself, and said "really fragrant" with tears. The love factory is like home and the deep family affection is naturally revealed, which makes people teary.
There are also several profound plot settings in the play, which are impressive. For example, in the three important time points of steelmaking in 1948, 1951, and 1953, the creator did not use blunt narration or historical records to narrate, but ingeniously connected with the shouts of "grinding scissors and kitchen knives", expressing people's appreciation of the new China The urgent call of industrial construction and the sincere emotion that belonged to that era. For young Zhao Tiechi and Sun Xuefei, the harsh reality does not allow them to be romantic, but it does not prevent them from admiring and supporting each other. There is not a single word "love" in the whole film, but "love" flows silently between them. In the end, the two reunited in the carriage and held hands shyly, adding a lot of warmth and love to this tough film. For another example, at the end of the film, it was still the platform of the year, and the congratulatory daughter-in-law ran all the way north to the saddleGang, Meng Tai, who came to pick up the station, passed a young man, and the young man said, "I am Lei Feng." This plot shows that "Iron Will" has a descendant inheritance.
The hot red molten iron is the most eye-catching color symbol in "Iron Will", brilliant and hot. Zhao Tiechi once swore affectionately at the tomb of his comrades-in-arms to let "the fire of this steel city burn forever". Zhao Tiechi and Meng Tai brought their lofty ideals for the industrial construction of New China, their deep hope for the red flag to be planted in the "highland", and their reverence for the hope of the first furnace of molten iron and the national emblem of iron and steel. A miracle out of the world. In the image of "Iron Will", the audience of today also ignited the courage and motivation to forge ahead in a new journey, forging ahead with agitation. (Author: Ma Lin, professor at the School of Film and Television, Liaoning University)
"Guangming Daily" (15th edition on October 12, 2022)
