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Text: Ling'er said
Editor|Ling'er said
The "flower" girl was caught by the director at a glance
Buddies, today we will take stock of the "Xiaoyingzi" who amazed countless audiences in "Old Things in the South of the City" - Shen Jie's history of fame! To be honest, when I watched this drama back then, who would have thought that this innocent, cute, and aura girl would be a first-line child star in the future?
Since she was a child, her family has not been ordinary, and Shen Jie has shown extraordinary acting talent since she was a child. Don't look at her young age, imitating the tone and demeanor of an adult, but she is familiar and vivid, and she looks at her parents straight! Seeing her dedication to acting, her family strongly supported her to learn acting.
In 1978, Xiao Shen Jie, who was only 6 years old at the time, was selected by the famous director Fu Min and began to formally receive acting training. The path of her career opened the door for her. Two years later, she participated in director Fu Min's debut film "Flower", although it was only a small role, but she had already shown her extraordinary talent.
In 1982, Director Wu, who was preparing to shoot "Old Things in the South of the City", could not find a suitable candidate to play the role of "Xiaoyingzi". At that time, his old partner Director Song Chong was casting for another movie "Flashing Color Ball", and he inadvertently took a fancy to Xiao Shen Jie's outstanding performance!
When Director Wu saw Xiao Shen Jie's smart eyes and innocent temperament, he was immediately attracted. After the audition, Shen Jie's superb acting skills amazed him, and he immediately decided to let her play the core role "Xiaoyingzi" in "Old Things in the South of the City". In this way, a little girl less than 10 years old was "caught at a glance" by the director!
The blooming of "new stars" in the film industry has won international attention
In 1986, "Old Things in the South of the City", a film based on Lin Haiyin's novel of the same name, was finally released. At the beginning, it was the clear and pure eyes of "Xiao Yingzi" played by Xiao Shen Jie, and the classic line "You are here for LS, right?" Rushing to the face, let the audience fall for it!
Throughout the movie, Xiao Shen Jie completely controls the complex inner world of the character "Xiao Yingzi". Whether it's missing her father, curiosity and anxiety about her new environment, or her warm embrace of new friends, she behaves incredible! In front of the screen, she is as old as a little adult, and she is childish and cute.
As soon as this work came out, it won great success and word of mouth at home and abroad. In 1987, it won the Silver Bear Award for Best Film at the Berlin International Film Festival, and Xiao Shen Jie won the Best Actress Award for her wonderful performance! For a while, this little girl who was "in love at a glance" by the director became a new star in the Chinese film industry and became a household name.
The peripheral products carefully designed by the crew for Shen Jie are even more frenetic, with commemorative stamps, humanoid dolls, etc. sold out, and even children's clothes are stained. Who doesn't fall in love with this "Little Yingzi" after watching "Old Things in the South of the City"? Under this soft and cute appearance, there is an inner quality of innocence, kindness, and optimism, which has deeply touched the hearts of countless audiences!
The "indissoluble bond" with the writer Lin Haiyin
Speaking of "Old Things in the South of the City", we have to mention its original author, Mr. Lin Haiyin. It is reported that in order to truly restore the details in the novel, director Wu Yigong once visited Lin Haiyin and gained her familiarity and support. And throughout the filming process, Shen Jie, who played "Xiaoyingzi", also formed an indissoluble bond with Mrs. Lin Haiyin.
Although the age difference is very far, the two have an incomparable sense of deed and closeness. Maybe it's because Shen Jie perfectly interpreted "Xiaoyingzi" and let Lin Haiyin see the shadow of his youth; Maybe it's because of Shen Jie's innocent temperament that the old man Lin Haiyin can't help but appreciate and love.
Since then, the two have developed a strong friendship. Every holiday, Shen Jie will visit Lin Haiyin in person, and the two are like good friends, like mother and daughter. Until Lin Haiyin's old man died, Shen Jie also made a special trip to visit her and told her the good memories of her childhood.
Looking at the image of "Xiaoyingzi" who is still active on the big screen, it will definitely make Mrs. Lin Haiyin smile with satisfaction. After all, it was her previous masterpiece that cultivated such an outstanding child star for the Chinese film industry.
Dreaming Tokyo From the shadow to the background
With the great success of "Old Things in the South of the City", Xiao Shen Jie has gradually grown up. In the early 1990s, she decided to study in Japan to pursue her acting dreams.
At first, life in Tokyo was really not smooth, Shen Jie was helpless, worked alone, and even had to do housework by herself. However, the interesting thing is that at that time, Japan was in the midst of a boom in Chinese education, and many people were learning Chinese, and "Old Things in the South of the City" became a heavyweight "textbook"!
Many Japanese viewers began to learn Chinese by watching this film. Occasionally, on the street, someone would recognize Miss Shen Jie at once, and shout "Xiaoyingzi" to greet her, and she would proudly say "I am"!
While studying in Japan, Shen Jie once gave up the acting major and majored in law. But she didn't completely lose her acting career, and occasionally worked as a host at a local TV station to introduce Chinese culture to the audience.
After graduating from college, she said goodbye to the Diamond Stage and began to work in a film and television company similar to a screenwriter. After several years of hard work, she gradually gained a deeper understanding of the entire film and television production industry. Finally, in 2005, she founded her own cultural communication company and began to embark on a new journey in life.
The image of the mother is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and fans will always be "Xiaoyingzi"
Time flies, and it's 2023 in a blink of an eye. Miss Shen Jie, who is now 51 years old, has long since left the entertainment industry, settled down in Tokyo, and lived a stable and peaceful life. However, her emphasis on Chinese education has never diminished, and she occasionally gives interviews on TV stations to share her upbringing.
Interestingly, the figure of "Xiaoyingzi" can be seen everywhere in her home: old photos in the studio, hot-selling souvenirs...
What's even more surprising is that Shen Jie's two daughters are simply the fluttering bodies of "Xiaoyingzi"! has a sweet and lovely appearance, an innocent demeanor, and perfectly inherited the film and television image of the year. No wonder even abroad, occasionally some fans recognize Shen Jie at once and shout "It's Xiaoyingzi"!
It can be said that whether she is walking on the streets of Tokyo or getting along at home, Shen Jie, as a mother, has always been surrounded by that iconic image. This innocent, kind, optimistic temperament has also been edifying her daughters.
Not long ago, on the occasion of Shen Jie's 51st birthday, fans around the world sent their blessings. Looking at the family photos she shared on social media, everyone was filled with emotion. This former "Xiaoyingzi" has now become a loving mother, but her innocent temperament and vitality will never disappear.
Let's wish Miss Shen Jie and her family happiness and well-being! Whether it is the touching brought to the audience by "Old Things in the South of the City" or the unique image of "Xiaoyingzi", it will always be engraved in the history of Chinese film and will never be forgotten!