Cover News Reporter Wu Deyu Zhang Jie Zhou Bin Shanghai Report
Characters:
Niu Ben, an actor from Shanghai Film Studio, was originally named Zhang Xuejing and was born in Tianjin in 1935. She started acting in movies at the age of 11, playing roles in classic films such as "Longxugou", "Red Detachment of Women", "Legend of Tianyun Mountain" and "Wrangler". For his contribution to Chinese films, he won the Golden Rooster Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2017. In 2024, he won the "Moving China 2023 Person of the Year" award.
Niu Ben (photography by Zhang Jie)
9 years of filmmaking experience has been integrated into Niu Ben’s life. If athlete Wang Meng's eyes are rulers, then Niu Ben's eyes are lenses. During the interview, when we were taking photos, he patiently guided us: "I can give you a suggestion, don't take too much of the scene, just focus on the key points." When the group photo was taken, he arranged it professionally, "Here, You sit here and the young man stands over there, so that the picture is cleaner and more controlled, not rigid." Then he took us out of the apartment building to see the overall environment and various service facilities of the retirement apartment where he lived. We couldn't walk more than a few steps. He smiled and turned back to the photographer who was following us and said, "If you shoot from this angle, the ceiling will be in the frame, and the picture will look very spectacular and clean." According to what he said, the effect was indeed very good.
Niu Ben is instructing the cover news reporter on how to better frame the scene (Photography by Zhang Jie)
Hearing about the cover news, the photojournalist of the "Dao" Humanities Media Reporting Team has just graduated from the film major of the university. He was born in 1999. He is very sincere. Expressing his expectations: "I really like the young people of your generation. You must hone your skills, learn more and think more. Our country's film industry will be 120 years old next year. Future development requires more talented people." Only when young people with bright minds are involved can more high-quality products be produced."
Niu Ben started making a living by filming at a young age. He only attended elementary school for a few years while working in Hong Kong. Although he did not have the opportunity to read too many books, life gave him the nutrients he needed to grow - using scripts as textbooks, society as classroom, and the studio as home. With hard work and perseverance, he received the care and help of seniors in the film industry. He grew up and developed an honest and honest character. In order to play the role well, he devoted himself to learning various skills in life, honing his acting skills and becoming a performing artist. He used his nearly 80 years of filmmaking experience and life experience to advise young people that if they love the flowers and applause of movies, they should also pay for movies. We are not just interviewing an actor, but the story of how an ordinary person burns his life to the fullest, uses the resources he has to shine, and illuminates himself and others.
Niu Ben was interviewed by a cover news reporter at his residence (photographed by Zhang Jie)
90-year-old drama addict
"It will feel uncomfortable if I don't act"
Niu Ben enjoys performing and being an actor. Now he is 90 years old and still acting.
During this interview, Niu Ben’s cell phone rang. It was his son Wang Kan (the son took his mother’s surname). The two were discussing on the phone about Niu Ben going to Wuhan to play a cameo role in a movie. After some research, I learned that it was a movie involving Jackie Chan, in which Niu Ben only had a small role, and it only took two days to complete. He asked his son to book a flight for him early, and to book the earliest flight of the day. He hoped to go there early so that he could get used to it with the crew. His son said, "If you take a 9 a.m. flight, you have to get up and go to the airport at 6 a.m. Wouldn't it be too hard for you at such an old age?" Niu Ben said without thinking, "Six o'clock in the morning is no problem." My son said that this character is a modern person, not a costumed person, the makeup and hair are not complicated, and it will not be so time-consuming. He advised him not to catch a flight too early. Niu Ben said, "In fact, it is more difficult for modern people to act than in ancient costumes. If it is in ancient costumes, external makeup and hair can achieve good results. But if modern people want to portray a role well, they need to rely more on the actor's acting skills and feelings. To convince the audience, I have to go to the scene early to feel it and get a feel for it."
Although he only had two days of scenes in Wuhan, Niu Ben put down the phone and carefully analyzed with us the old dean he was about to play. His opponent was an amnesia patient. He couldn't remember other people, but only the old dean. "Since the old dean I play can make this patient have memories, my character should have some different characteristics, such as a scar on his face or something like that. This needs to be carefully considered and designed. "
Although he is 90 years old, he is still in good spirits. (Photo by Zhou Bin)
In many people's impression, actors just listen to the director and just do whatever they are told. "There are indeed actors like that, but I am not That kind of actor. As an actor, even if I only play a small role, I have to use my brain to think and try my best to use my knowledge and experience to help the director come up with ideas, in order to make the performance of this role more accurate and exciting. Niu Ben said.
In the process of communicating with his son about the details of this role, Niu Ben not only asked to arrive on the set as early as possible, but also analyzed how to prepare himself and play the role well, without asking about the salary. After putting down the phone , Niu Ben did not shy away from this topic, "I have always been like this. When an inviter comes to ask me if I want to play a role, my first concern is not the remuneration, but I need to know what kind of role it is, and I need to judge whether I am qualified for it. As for remuneration, if you have more funds, give me more; if you have less, just give me less, that’s okay. There’s not even a pay, but if I’m needed very much and I can perform well, I’ll go. Acting is not only my career, but also my interest and my passion, and I am willing to devote myself wholeheartedly to it. "The work intensity of the
crew is generally high, and the working hours are unstable. Sometimes they need to work for a long time, and sometimes they need to wait for a long time. Can he bear it at such an advanced age? Hearing such a question, he I don’t think this is a problem at all, “I stopped filming long ago if I couldn’t bear it. I have always had this work rhythm for so many years. One year I filmed 14 films, but I felt I was in good shape. In fact, it is a blessing to be able to film and wait on the set. If I don't act, I will feel uncomfortable."
Niu Ben is so old, why doesn't he have an assistant when he goes out to film? Hearing such a question, Niu Ben's answer is very simple, "I just memorize the lines well on the set. When acting, why do you need an assistant? "The reporter mentioned that many actors now need assistants to help hold umbrellas when filming. Niu Ben said: "I can hold an umbrella myself, why do I have to ask someone to hold an umbrella for me? "Ten years ago, Niu Ben also recorded a variety show. Recalling the experience of filming a variety show, Niu Ben said, "I told the young people around me at that time that no matter what job you do, the first thing is to keep time. Because I have met some young people. When we started shooting, even if I called them several times, they would not get up, and they would often be late. In fact, the work team had given him some rest time, but he used it for fun, which he shouldn't have done. "
Niu Ben's circle of friends
A "personal version of the history of Chinese films"
At the end of 2023, the personal autobiography "Playing a Little Person for a Lifetime", dictated by Niu Ben and written by Liu Shen, was officially published by People's Publishing House. In this book , Niu Ben talks in detail about his screen life and the real world, especially the care, warmth and help he received from the older generation of filmmakers, his experiences, perceptions, love and regrets... It also allows readers to see how a little person is. The solid footsteps of becoming a great artist step by step.
"Playing as a Little Person for Life" (Photo provided by People's Publishing House)
During the interview, Niu Ben also enthusiastically pulled out his collection of black and white photo albums for the reporter. We travel back to those bygone years. Niu Ben’s circle of friends is star-studded, including Zhao Dan, Bai Yang, Shangguan Yunzhu, Qin Yi, Zhang Yimou, Jiang Wen, Liu Xiaoqing... it can be called a personal version of Chinese film history.
Especially Zhao Dan. Although Niu Ben and him are twenty years apart, they are both teachers and friends. They are friends who talk about everything and encourage each other in the difficult years of life. In "Playing a Little Person for Life", Niu Ben devotes a chapter to describing his friendship with Zhao Dan. Niu Ben wrote in the book: "I admire Zhao Dan not only for his talent, but more importantly for his character. He said to me: 'Acting must be life-like, natural, have a three-dimensional sense, and perform a A living person. 'The reason I have such a deep affection for him is because he taught me the principles of acting and life. He has a broad mind and a big picture. He has no selfish thoughts in his heart, only art, which has a great influence on me. It is true that Zhao Dan's sincerity and love for art did not receive the understanding and respect it deserved until after his death. If Chinese film actors can be called 'great', Zhao Dan is a great actor."
Zhao Dan passed away in 1980. At the memorial service held in Beijing, four people spoke on behalf of his former friends, and Niu Ben was one of them. Niu Ben said at the memorial service: "Zhao Dan passed away at the age of 65. It was a great time when his artistic attainments and performance experience were at their best. It was a pity that he passed away too early. His life was too long. It is a pity that he has so many dreams that have not been realized. Zhao Dan has played Nie Er, Lin Zexu, and Li Shizhen. I hope that one day, a film about Zhao Dan can be made to commemorate him. "
2019, 97-year-old Qin Yi won the national honorary title of "People's Artist". She was Niu Ben's party introducer. In 2018, Niu Ben joined the Communist Party of China at the age of 83. Qin Yi, who was ill, wrote a note at Shanghai Huadong Hospital, asking the branch secretary of the Shangying Actors Troupe to bring her opinions: "Niu Ben is a good comrade, and I am willing to be his I believe he will do a good job as a party introducer." Niu Ben once went to the ward to visit Qin Yi, who was seriously ill. At that time, the two old men held hands tightly and shed tears. Everyone said: "You are a 96-year-old artist. You introduced an 83-year-old artist to join the party. You two created a miracle!"
took the initiative to live in a nursing home
and did not cause trouble to his children.
I once wanted to "fly over" a nursing home. , now, Niu Ben has taken the initiative to live in a nursing home.
Niu Ben’s wife is named Wang Huiling. They have been together for decades and gave birth to two sons. Nowadays, the children are all starting their own families and starting businesses. Niu Ben is out filming all year round and leaves all the housework to his wife. A few years ago, after his wife passed away, Niu Ben chose to live alone in a retirement apartment in Pudong. The suite he currently lives in has a balcony and a kitchen, and is no different from an ordinary residence.
Niu Ben is at the door of a retirement apartment in Pudong, Shanghai where he lives (Photo by Zhou Bin)
He has two sons, but Niu Ben chose to live in a retirement apartment. This spread to the outside world and triggered some rumors. During this interview, Niu Ben took the initiative to mention this topic to the cover news reporter, "You interview me today, which just gives me an opportunity to explain clearly the matter of living in a nursing home. Our country is gradually ushering in an aging population. It’s a topic that everyone is paying close attention to.” He also specifically asked reporters to take a photo of him with the logo of the nursing home at the entrance of the nursing home apartment where he lives. “We must capture the whole scene.”
Regarding the apartment, Niu Ben explained that he made this choice because "the children have their own careers and minor children to raise, and they have a lot of responsibilities on their shoulders. I don't want to easily encroach on the children's time and give them They cause trouble. My living in a retirement apartment does not affect my family ties. My children often come to see me. If I need help with anything, they will come over right away. In fact, living here has all the facilities. It is very complete, and many of the services are so meticulous that my own children may not even be able to imagine or achieve them.”
Niu Ben took Cover News reporters to visit a corner of the cultural activity room of the nursing home (Photo by Zhang Jie)
After the interview, Niu Ben took Cover News reporters to visit. The reporter visited the overall environment of the retirement apartment where he lived.There is a large sports activity area on the first floor of the apartment, with various sports equipment, as well as billiards, softball, kronen ball... there are also exercise bikes and treadmills. There are also activity rooms for singing groups and reading groups. During the visit, people kept saying hello to Niu Ben. There is a river next to the apartment. The clear water flows slowly. Under the shade of green trees, there is a green path for walking and jogging.
Faced with such a beautiful scene, Niu Ben’s true qualities as a filmmaker were once again revealed, “Look, there are rivers, trees, and red chairs here. They are very beautiful in the mirror. There is a bridge not far away, and we have to wait for a white car. When a car passes by, the screen will become dynamic. Don’t be anxious and wait for the car to pass by...”
