Deng portrayal a turning point for TV drama
Print Edition
A TV series featuring China’s late leader Deng Xiaoping has attracted attention for its portrayal of politically sensitive figures and events rarely seen on screen.
The 48-episode drama, the title of which roughly translates as “Deng Xiaoping during a historic turning point,” tells the story of Deng and China’s historic transformation under his guidance between October 1976, when the “Gang of Four” was purged, until 1984 when the country fully implemented the policy of reform and opening up.
Viewers were surprised to see a portrayal of Hua Guofeng on screen. Hua took power following Mao Zedong’s death in 1976 and is known for announcing the downfall of the “Gang of Four,” including Mao’s wife, Jiang Qing, in the same year.
In one episode, a military truck pulls up to the west gate of Zhongnanhai, China’s most prominent government headquarters, carrying troops from unit 8341 under secret orders to capture the “Gang of Four.”
Hua is depicted delivering a theatrical late-night announcement hours after their capture.
“Today, on behalf of the fundamental interests and wishes of the Party, the army and the people of our country, we carried on Chairman Mao’s unfinished work to bring an end to the Gang of Four who have now been arrested and are under examination,” Hua’s character says.
The downfall of the “Gang of Four” marked the end of the “cultural revolution” (1966-1976), and the following years were widely viewed as a historical turning point for China.
“What impressed me most is that it shows sensitive issues which have never been made public. This certainly is encouraging, especially in a time of reform and transition,” one online comment says.
The series for China Central Television, which took five years to make, premiered at prime time on Friday.
In contrast to previous programs about Deng, the drama portrays the late leader in a more personal way by unveiling little-known details of his life.
In the first episode, Deng is in his 70s being shown taking care of his handicapped son Deng Pufang.
He is seen fetching hot water late at night during a rainstorm to help his wife bathe their son.
“It’s not an exaggeration to use ‘historic turning point’ in connection with Deng as the drama’s title does,” said Wang Zhian, a CCTV reporter, referring to Deng’s introduction of the opening up policy more than three decades ago.
“History will treat this great man fairly, and we’ll forever remember him, though he chose not to have a tombstone.”
The series was made by CCTV under the instruction of the Central Committee’s literature research office and the Party committee of Sichuan Province, where Deng was born.
August 22 marks the 110th anniversary of his birth.
In 1996, the Party published a guideline detailing the standard procedure for commemorating late leaders.
The commemoration of Deng began with the publication of a series of articles concerning his thoughts in state media. Study Times, launched by the Party School of the CPC Central Committee in 1999, has published four such articles since June.
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