(1995) Xian Xing Hai

Dir: Wang Hengli Wri: Unknown Cast: Siqin Gaowa, Zhang Zhizhong

I'm not 100% sure that the title and date of the film above are correct, (Actually... I' not 100% sure about a lot of things I'm about to tell you in regards to this movie..) but I know for sure that its for real because I own a copy. This is a film about the real life struggles of Xian Xinghai, the man responsible for the fa mouse music in Midnight Song. This movie reveals him to have been quite an extraordinary man, who had the power to effectively wield music as a weapon against oppression. Wonderfully acted, and often beautifully shot in quite a dreamy fashion.

The most extraordinary thing about this movie though, is that it includes, (I think) a little re-enactment of the making of Midnight Song! There is an all to quick scene where Xian Xinghai enters a movie studio, and gives some sheet music to a man, who is presumably Maxu Weibang. The song that he gives them is evidently Hot Blood (If that is indeed the correct title.) from the film, and several of the actors practice the song together! Son Danping as the Phantom is unfortunately never shown, but Xian Xinghai does have a conversation with Maxu, (Again,Presumably.) and is introduced to two people who I believe are supposed to be Jin Shan and Hu Ping. All of this is of course very hard for me to know for sure, because I unfortunately don't speak or read Chinese... But if this is indeed Midnight Song that we are seeing portrayed, who else could they be?

Now, a slight question is raised...Is this indeed Midnight Song? I have to be just a little bit skeptical because of the language barrier. To my knowledge, Xian Xinghai never did another film score before or after Midnight Song. The picture above showing the slate, does have 3 of the 4 Chinese characters that are supposed to spell out Midnight Song, (Look at the picture of the soundtrack next to it to see the difference.) but the last one is wrong, AND all of the characters are in reverse... So I don't know, is this what I think it is, or not? The fact that all the actors are singing a song from the film, makes me feel like I'm on the right track... Any Chinese Phans out there want to verified some of this information for me?

Where to buy: Yesasia.com

If anyone out there has any other information about this film, please contact me at Oldphan@hotmail.com.