According to the CCTV News official account, he is the uncle who strategizes in "Flowers"; he is the legendary Jigong; back behind the scenes, he is also an old man who brings drama and aesthetic education to rural children. He is You Benchang, an actor at the National Theater of China and a famous performing artist. Some time ago, after completing the dubbing work for the TV series "Flowers", he met with Wang Ning, the host of the main station's "My Family, My Country" column, in an ordinary rehearsal hall in Beijing, and accepted an exclusive interview. You Benchang gave an acting class to the students of the charity drama class here.
"Young stars stumble because their original intentions have deviated from the direction."
5 years ago, You Benchang and his daughter You Sihan launched the public welfare project "Seed Plan", in which all trainees were recruited from across the country. After one year of free professional training, they will form a team of teachers and go to the grassroots to sow the seeds of their dreams. "Maybe in the countryside, maybe in the wheat field, maybe in the fields, as long as there are people, drama and aesthetic education can be carried out."
teaches amateurs to learn acting. Many people's slogan is "helping you embark on your dream of becoming a star", but in You Benchang It seems that with this kind of thinking, the original intention is biased. You Benchang said: "The reason why some young stars stumble is because the original intention has deviated from the direction and the education of the original intention is wrong. We must put educating people first."
"Everyone is for one, and I am for everyone." For beginners to perform Among the young people, You Lao hopes to cultivate their spirit of dedication, just like Jigong, who can help the world and be at ease.
At the age of 52, he became the protagonist for the first time.
He played the "live" role of Jigong.
"The shoes are torn, the hat is torn, and the cassock on the body is torn." This familiar melody comes from the popular TV series "Ji Gong" in the 1980s. .
In 1985, the six-episode TV series "Ji Gong" starring You Benchang became popular all over the country as soon as it was aired. In the play, You Benchang's humorous and entertaining performance deeply imprinted the image of Jigong in the hearts of the audience. In the process of shaping the character, he strived for perfection and integrated the roots and soul of Jigong into it. For this meeting, Wang Ning also specially found Jigongās āThree Treasuresā: banana fans, gourds, and Buddhist beads. You Lao picked up the banana fan and made a few simple movements, and Jigong immediately appeared in front of him. In his opinion, the fan is "actually a tool, an extension of the hand."
You Benchang was already 52 years old when he played Jigong. This was his first real protagonist, and he had a different understanding of Jigong. In the TV series "Ji Gong", there is a classic passage. Mr. You Benchang said that in the original script, there was no final payment scene when Jigong finished eating the steamed buns. However, this scene in the TV series version was added by himself.
You Benchang: This lens is very important to me. Because I knew the "Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points of Attention" and felt that it was OK, I discussed with the director whether to reshoot a scene. In our transformation of old literature and art, we must creatively transform traditional things.
Mr. You Benchang once said that his relationship with Jigong is not an ordinary relationship between an actor and a character. "The character Jigong guided me to purify him, dusting him off, leaving behind the essence and lovely things. I added some scenes with children and some love for flowers, birds, fish and insects. Love, this spirit that embodies great love."
He performed the first pantomime performance in New China
On the stage of the 1984 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, You Benchang wore a blue tights, wearing only a towel and an exaggerated figure The performance mobilized the muscles of the whole body and brought a unique pantomime performance - "Shower" to the audience, which received full applause.
Few people may know that the first pantomime performance of New China was performed by You Benchang.
ā³ After many searches, the "My Family, My Country" column team found the program list of You Benchang's pantomime performance 40 years ago.
Many details on the protagonist of "Shower" were carefully designed by Mr. You Benchang. You Benchang: Mime is a silent art, so I want to create contradictions.When I take a shower, it becomes clear for a while, blocked for a while, cold for a while, and hot for a while. Then adjust the water temperature, sing... in the bathhouse, express it through expressions, gestures, body movements, etc. So, feeling is important.
For a script, he sold an apartment.
From the selfless Living Buddha Jigong to the strategizing Uncle Shanghai, the deeply rooted character creation is inseparable from the fruits of You Benchang's hard work on the drama stage.
As a drama actor, You Benchang has always longed to star in a drama that touches people's hearts.
In 2009, when 76-year-old You Benchang attended a meeting of the Chinese Drama Literature Society, he saw a play script about Hongyi master Li Shutong written by a playwright present. (Li Shutong is a famous musician, art educator, calligrapher, and drama activist. He is one of the pioneers of Chinese drama. He served as a teacher and editor, and later became a monk. He was named Hong Yi and Wan Wan. Old Man Qing, later revered as Master Hongyi.) So he bought the script without hesitation.
You Benchang: At that time, the playwright didnāt see the commercial value and quit. I said you give me the copyright. What I think about is not commercial value, but because Master Hongyi is our ancestor and I have the responsibility to carry it forward. This is my honor. There is no intention to attract investment, this is not a commercial behavior. I sold one of my houses and I think it was worth it.
A tree thousands of feet high has roots, and water flowing thousands of miles has a source. Whether it's the classic laugh in "Ji Gong" or the uncle's "turning back to the gods", what is the root of Mr. You Benchang's careful performance? The answer may be found in one of You Lao's words.
There is a plaque in the office area of āāYou Benchang - "Guide people's hearts through literature and art." In his eyes, literature and art have three functions: first, milk - nutrition; second, boiled water - quenching thirst and the basic needs of life; third, poison - poison must not be used.
As a literary and art worker, You Benchang regards "leading people's hearts through literature and art" as his life creed. Practice these seven words throughout your life. "Don't forget a moment, always be prepared."
(Source: CCTV News)
