A New Old Play

Released May 20, 2022

2h 59m

Drama

TRAILER

for

List

100%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

One evening in the 1980s, Qiu Fu, a leading clown in 20th-century Sichuan opera, departs this world and must reluctantly set off for the Ghost City under the escort of two underworld officials. Along the way, he meets old friends. As they recall the past, earthly scenes creep into the mists of the Netherworld. Qiu Fu's life in opera unfolds against the backdrop of a secular upheaval. The "New-New" Troupe in which he grows up and learns his trade is affiliated with the military. As power shifts, the troupe is cast loose to wander rootlessly through a broken world. Despite this unsettled destiny, shaped by war, famine and political turmoil, Qiu Fu becomes one of the finest clown-role performers in Sichuan opera. And yet, one day he finds himself clapped in a pigsty as a political revolution rages outside. Outside the Ghost City, sitting among familiar faces, Qiu Fu drinks the mandatory bowl of Forgetfulness Soup to erase his memory. A lifetime of hardship, pain and sorrow, all vanish as if they had never been.

Richard Brody

New Yorker

Qiu Jiongjiong tells this story with affecting intimacy and candid observation—and with archly ironic methods.

May 23, 2022

Full Review

Austin Considine

New York Times

At once tragedy and farce, it breathes new life into a story as old as civilization.

May 19, 2022

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

An amazingly tense film for fans of Chinese opera and Chinese politics.

Rated: A-

May 21, 2023

Full Review

Calan Panchoo

Film Threat

It is as multilayered as the traditions of old and as daring as the convictions of new.

Rated: 8.5/10

May 16, 2023

Full Review

Kathy Fennessy

Video Librarian Magazine

At 179 minutes, A New Old Play might seem like a daunting watch, except it's a lively, lovely film, even in the saddest moments.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 8, 2023

Full Review

Sean Gilman

The Chinese Cinema

Occupying something of a middle ground between Hou's The Puppetmaster and Chen's Farewell My Concubine as a history of 20th century China as seen through the eyes of a theatrical performer, A New Old Play is an unusual kind of epic.

Oct 12, 2022

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Audience Member

Too long. Great sets, good performances. Coulda stopped @ 2 hrs.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Qiu Jiongjiong

Director

Yi Sicheng

Qiu Fu

Guan Nan

Huafeng

Qiu Zhimin

Pocky

Xue Xuchun

Chicken Foot

Gu Tao

Crooky

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A New Old Play: Trailer 1

2:24

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Synopsis

One evening in the 1980s, Qiu Fu, a leading clown in 20th-century Sichuan opera, departs this world and must reluctantly set off for the Ghost City under the escort of two underworld officials. Along the way, he meets old friends. As they recall the past, earthly scenes creep into the mists of the Netherworld. Qiu Fu's life in opera unfolds against the backdrop of a secular upheaval. The "New-New" Troupe in which he grows up and learns his trade is affiliated with the military. As power shifts, the troupe is cast loose to wander rootlessly through a broken world. Despite this unsettled destiny, shaped by war, famine and political turmoil, Qiu Fu becomes one of the finest clown-role performers in Sichuan opera. And yet, one day he finds himself clapped in a pigsty as a political revolution rages outside. Outside the Ghost City, sitting among familiar faces, Qiu Fu drinks the mandatory bowl of Forgetfulness Soup to erase his memory. A lifetime of hardship, pain and sorrow, all vanish as if they had never been.

Director: Qiu Jiongjiong
Producer: Ding Ding, Yang Jin
Screenwriter: Qiu Jiongjiong
Distributor: Icarus Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): May 20, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 16, 2023
Runtime: 2h 59m

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