The Age of Awakening

Synopsis

"The Awakening Age" is a 2021 historical drama with a 9.3 rating on Douban, directed by Zhang Yongxin and starring Yu Hewei, Zhang Tong, and Hou Jingjian. It depicts the magnificent history of pioneers such as Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, and Mao Zedong exploring the path to national salvation from the New Culture Movement in 1915 to the founding of the Communist Party of China in 1921. Its Douban rating climbed from 8.3 to 9.3, making it the highest-rated domestic drama of the year.

Overview

The Awakening Age is a major revolutionary historical drama that premiered on CCTV-1 on February 1, 2021. Directed by Zhang Yongxin and written by Long Pingping, the series features Yu Hewei as Chen Duxiu, Zhang Tong as Li Dazhao, Hou Jingjian as Mao Zedong, Ma Shaohua as Cai Yuanpei, Zhu Gangriyao as Hu Shi, Zhang Wanyi as Chen Yannian, Cao Lei as Lu Xun, and Xia Dejun as Zhou Enlai. With a total of 43 episodes, it holds a Douban rating of 9.3 (based on approximately 560,000 ratings, with 75.3% giving five stars), making it the highest-rated domestic TV series on Douban in 2021.

Set against the historical backdrop from the publication of Youth Magazine (later renamed New Youth) in 1915 to the founding of the Communist Party of China in 1921, the series panoramically depicts the magnificent historical canvas spanning the New Culture Movement, the May Fourth Movement, and the establishment of the Communist Party of China. It portrays historical figures such as Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, Hu Shi, Lu Xun, Cai Yuanpei, and Mao Zedong exploring paths to save the nation and awakening national consciousness during the darkest times.

Plot

In 1915, Chen Duxiu (played by Yu Hewei) returned to China from Japan and founded Youth Magazine in Shanghai, raising the banners of democracy and science, thus initiating the New Culture Movement. In 1917, invited by Cai Yuanpei (played by Ma Shaohua), Chen Duxiu became the Dean of the School of Humanities at Peking University, and the editorial office of New Youth moved to Beijing. Together with pioneering thinkers like Li Dazhao (played by Zhang Tong), Hu Shi (played by Zhu Gangriyao), and Lu Xun (played by Cao Lei), Chen Duxiu ignited a vigorous New Culture Movement at Peking University, advocating for vernacular Chinese, opposing feudal ethics, and spreading new ideas.

In 1919, news of China's diplomatic failure at the Paris Peace Conference triggered the May Fourth Movement, which shocked both China and the world. Peking University students took to the streets in protest, and the working class stepped onto the political stage. Following the May Fourth Movement, Marxism spread widely in China, and Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao coordinated from the north and south to establish a party. In July 1921, the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in Shanghai, marking a new chapter in Chinese history.

Cast

Yu Hewei's portrayal of Chen Duxiu is the soul of the series. He masterfully depicts Chen Duxiu's complex character—unrestrained, talented, and filled with patriotic sentiment. Zhang Tong's portrayal of Li Dazhao is gentle, profound, and steadfast, forming a sharp yet complementary contrast with Yu Hewei's Chen Duxiu. The brilliant performances of these two actors deeply and movingly showcase the profound friendship and shared ideals between Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao, the founders of the Communist Party of China.

Although Cao Lei's portrayal of Lu Xun has limited screen time, each appearance is memorable. The series recreates the scene of Lu Xun writing A Madman's Diary—he writes furiously in a dimly lit room, with the cannibalistic old world outside the window. This scene became one of the most震撼人心的 (heart-stirring) images in the series.

Production Highlights

The production of The Awakening Age is extremely meticulous. The crew built numerous sets from the Republican era, ranging from the Red Building of Peking University to the hutongs of old Beijing, from Shanghai's Shikumen houses to the Red Boat on South Lake in Jiaxing. Every scene strives to restore the true appearance of history. The costumes, props, lighting, and cinematography all achieve film-grade production standards.

Screenwriter Long Pingping, a researcher at the Central Party History and Literature Research Institute, spent six years refining the script. While strictly adhering to historical facts, he infused the historical figures with vivid vitality and感染力 (emotional resonance). Director Zhang Yongxin skillfully blends grand historical narratives with the nuanced emotions of the characters through delicate cinematography.

Cultural Impact

After its broadcast, The Awakening Age generated a massive response among young audiences. Its Douban rating climbed from 8.3 at the start to 9.3, setting the best口碑 (word-of-mouth) for a mainstream theme series in recent years. Many young viewers stated that the series helped them truly understand for the first time why the pioneers of that era made the choices they did. The scene where brothers Chen Yannian and Chen Qiaonian smile back while leaving for work-study in France, coupled with the historical fact of their later heroic martyrdom, moved countless viewers to tears.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/30228394/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/觉醒年代
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/觉醒年代_(电视剧)