Glimpse of Youth: A Critical Analysis of the Film In the Heat of the Sun

Heat of the Sun

The film In the Heat of the Sun (1994) is director Jiang Wen’s directorial debut, which is adapted from Wang Shuo’s novel Wild Beast. It was directed in 1993 and released in 1995. The film tells the story of a group of teenagers in the early 1970s within a military compound in Beijing.

The film is set against the backdrop of the in the Chinese Cultural Revolution. It comes with an authentic portrayal of the lives and adolescent confusion during the that ear. What shall be noticed is that the film incorporates relatively innovative and surrealistic techniques for its time in China, which reflects the youth’s fiery passion and somewhat enigmatic love of that era.. Through its portrayal of the adolescent experiences, it brings both chaotic and progressive aspects of an era and a country to life. In contrast to other films with a similar theme, In the Heat of the Sun focuses on cultivating an ambiance filled with youth, collectivism, sunshine, brilliance and more, which is far removed from its counterparts. To put it more specific, the latter is more about the rigid, dark and critical elements.

In terms of cinematic art, Jiang Wen, the director, delivers a unique visual and auditory language to the audience. First and foremost, as for color, the whole film is bathed in vivid colors, so as to portray the essence of youthful memories. By doing so, the film exudes an atmosphere of vitality, carefree spirit, and radiant sunshine. What is more, it possesses an undertone of dreaminess, vagueness, and leisure. In the final five minutes of the film depicting adulthood, a monochromatic palette of black and white is employed. This deliberate choice creates a stark contrast with the past and evokes a profound sense of nostalgia. Secondly, regarding lighting and shadow, the majority of the scenes are warm and bright. Moreover, outdoor spaces are always bathed in intense sunlight, while warm-colored lighting can always be found in indoor spaces, which casts the entire dwelling in an enchanting blend of orange and red tones. Apart from that, the scorching sun serves as a poignant symbol for demonstrating the ambiguous relationship between Ma Xiaojun and Milan, which creates the warm andpervasive memories of Ma Xiaojun’s first love. Last but not least, as for the shooting part, different atmospheres come to life through camera movements. For instance, in the scene where Ma Xiaojun steps into Milan’s house to fondle a telescope, he twirls around while holding the telescope, causing the images inside the room to rapidly pass before him. In this sequence, the director uses camera tilting to present what Ma Xiaojun has seen himself. Therefore, such technique transports the audience into the vivid experience of observing the world through the telescope, with the viewpoint also rotating as the telescope does. During this process, they are boldly exploring the secrets of Milan’s room. This camera tilting sequence highlights Ma Xiaojun’s burgeoning youth consciousness, which allows the audience to partake in the youthful fervor within this particular setting.

Through multifaceted creativity, In the Heat of the Sun is a masterpiece that offers a precise yet profoundly powerful portrayal of a unique era – the Cultural Revolution period. This film reveals Jiang Wen’s sophisticated life experiences and his unwavering spirit, even in the face of conflicting ideas and cultures. In the notes for In the Heat of the Sun, he writes: “Film is a dream, and this assembly of souls has forgotten themselves, lost in the reverie. Our dream is the dream of youth, a tale of desperate youths in a nation teetering on the brink of adolescence. Their passion blazed like wild infernos, with fervent love and profound hatred. As for now, the fire has been extinguished, but in the ashes, the embers of ardor still crackle. Who dares declare that passion has waned into oblivion?” Jiang Wen’s extraordinary mastery of visual and auditory storytelling brings us a radiant dream of youth and captures the bittersweet first love, genuine friendship, and, more importantly, the unbridled recklessness of those tender years. Interestingly, this memory of youth also represents the life experience of director Jiang Wen and resonates with the experiences of many from his generation. In the Heat of the Sun doesn’t just come with solace for those who lived through that time or curious about that specific period. Instead, it

profoundly stirs the depths of one's soul. What is more, the film reminds us that that era wasn't all about hopeless, and can be a source of beautiful memories for certaingroups of people. Now, the bright and brilliant dream has faded into the past, but fortunately, it has been preserved by the art of cinema.

References

[1] Fanjia C. In the Heat of the Sun[J]. Aesthetic Appreciation, 2021, 4(04):113-114.

[2] Yunyun Z. An Analysis of the Audiovisual Characteristics of Jiang Wen’s Films—A Case Study of In the Heat of the Sun[J]. Research on Transmission Competence, 2012, 2(28):67.

[3] Aili L. Youth: The Pains of Growing Up —Analyzing the Film Theme of In the Heat of the Sun[J]. Film Literature, 2012(22):77-78.