Synopsis
The Age of Awakening is a major revolutionary historical drama released in 2021, with a Douban rating of 9.3. Directed by Zhang Yongxin and starring Yu Hewei, Zhang Tong, and Zhang Wanyi, it is set against the backdrop of the New Culture Movement from 1915 to 1921 and the founding of the Communist Party of China. The series depicts the epic journey of pioneers such as Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, and Lu Xun as they explore paths to save the nation. It has won multiple awards, including the Magnolia Award for Best Director.
Overview
The Awakening Age is a major revolutionary historical drama television series produced by China Central Television and directed by Zhang Yongxin in 2021, with Long Pingping as the screenwriter. Yu Hewei portrays Chen Duxiu, Zhang Tong portrays Li Dazhao, and the cast also includes powerful actors such as Zhang Wanyi, Ma Shaohua, and Cao Lei. The series consists of 43 episodes, premiered on CCTV-1 in February 2021, and holds a high Douban rating of 9.3, ranking first among domestic Chinese TV dramas in 2021.
The series uses the timeline from the founding of Youth Magazine in 1915 to the establishment of the Communist Party of China in 1921, panoramically depicting the magnificent history from the New Culture Movement and the May Fourth Movement to the founding of the Communist Party of China. Centered on the legendary story of Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao—from their meeting and mutual understanding, to parting ways, and ultimately converging on the same path—the series vividly portrays the ideals, passion, and sense of responsibility of a generation of intellectuals during that awakening era.
Plot
In 1915, Chen Duxiu (played by Yu Hewei), exiled in Japan, founded Youth Magazine (later renamed New Youth), raising high the banners of democracy and science, and unveiling the prelude to the New Culture Movement. He met Li Dazhao (played by Zhang Tong) at Peking University. Sharing similar ideals, they jointly promoted the ideological enlightenment movement. At Qian Xuantong's invitation, Lu Xun (played by Cao Lei) contributed to New Youth, publishing "A Madman's Diary," the first vernacular short story in the history of modern Chinese literature, which shocked the entire intellectual community.
When news of China's diplomatic failure at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference arrived, the May Fourth Movement erupted. Peking University students took to the streets to protest and were suppressed by the Beiyang Government. This movement prompted a group of progressive intellectuals to begin contemplating the fundamental path of the Chinese revolution. Through practical exploration, Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao gradually came to realize that only Marxism could save China.
In 1920, Chen Duxiu in Shanghai and Li Dazhao in Beijing respectively established early organizations of the Communist Party of China. In July 1921, the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in Shanghai, marking the turning of a new page in Chinese history. At the end of the series, Chen Duxiu's two sons, Chen Yannian and Chen Qiaonian, are successively martyred. The scene of them walking towards the execution ground with smiles shocked countless viewers.
Cast
| Actor | Role | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Yu Hewei | Chen Duxiu | Leader of the New Culture Movement, co-founder of the Communist Party of China |
| Zhang Tong | Li Dazhao | Pioneer of the Chinese communist movement |
| Zhang Wanyi | Chen Yannian | Eldest son of Chen Duxiu, revolutionary martyr |
| Ma Shaohua | Cai Yuanpei | Chancellor of Peking University, open-minded thinker |
| Cao Lei | Lu Xun | Literary giant, ideological fighter |
| Zhu Gangriyao | Hu Shi | Advocate of the Vernacular Language Movement |
| Ma Qiyue | Chen Qiaonian | Second son of Chen Duxiu, revolutionary martyr |
Cultural Impact
The Awakening Age is one of the most successful revolutionary historical TV dramas in recent years, with particularly prominent influence among young audiences. Post-90s and post-00s viewers became the main force following the series, with bullet comments frequently featuring messages like "moved to tears" and "rest in peace, predecessors." The scene of the brothers Chen Yannian and Chen Qiaonian looking back and smiling before their sacrifice became the most tear-jerking classic shot across the internet, sparking deep remembrance of revolutionary martyrs among young people.
Yu Hewei portrayed Chen Duxiu's unbridled passion and profound concern with remarkable depth, breaking the audience's stereotypical impressions of historical figures. Zhang Tong's portrayal of Li Dazhao as simple, steadfast, and honorable perfectly complemented Yu Hewei's Chen Duxiu. The series won major awards at the Magnolia Awards, Flying Apsaras Awards, and other selections, with Zhang Yongxin winning Best Director and Long Pingping winning Best Screenwriter.
The series also spurred a surge in visits to red tourism sites such as the Longhua Martyrs Cemetery in Shanghai and the Beijing Lu Xun Museum, and has been hailed as a "divine drama" that made young people fall in love with mainstream patriotic themes.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/30228394/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/觉醒年代
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/觉醒年代_(电视剧)
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