He is the righteous and awe-inspiring "Wang Political Commissar" in "Heroes' Children", and he is a legendary figure in the history of New Chinese films. However, what is less known is that Takata's life is far more ups and downs than the screen.
Two marriages, four sons, and a seemingly happy family, what is the story behind it? When cancer ruthlessly took his life, what was the last thing he left to his wife? And how did his widow use her life's perseverance to interpret what sincere love is?
Tian Fang, a legend in the Chinese film industry, has left a deep impression on the hearts of the audience with his superb acting skills and rich screen image. Born on January 3, 1911, he experienced family changes in his early years, and the early death of his father made the young Tian Fang have to face the hardships of life. However, these difficulties did not stop him from pursuing art.
In 1928, Tian Fang, who was only 171 years old, married Gao Shuzhen. Although it was an arranged marriage, Tian Fang still tried his best to maintain the relationship.
In 1932, he took the first step in his acting career and entered Shanghai Tianyi Film Company. With talent and hard work, Takata soon made a name for himself in the field of sound films, starring in many productions, and gradually became a well-known actor loved by the audience.
The screen images created by Tian Fang often have distinct characteristics of the times, and his interpretation of the characters can always accurately grasp the pulse of the times. Whether it is a simple and simple peasant or a righteous and awe-inspiring revolutionary cadre, Tian Fang can vividly show the inner world of the character. His attitude towards his work is even more meticulous, often for a detail repeatedly scrutinized, and strive for perfection.
Among Tian Fang's many works, "Heroic Children" is undoubtedly the most representative. This film is not only his posthumous work, but also the pinnacle of his artistic career. With these outstanding performances, Tian Fang was selected as one of the "100 Outstanding Actors in Chinese Film in the Past 100 Years" in 2005, highlighting his important position in the Chinese film industry.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Tian Fang's career reached a higher level. He has successively served as the director of the Beijing Film Studio and the deputy director of the Film Bureau of the Ministry of Culture, and has made important contributions to the development of China's film industry. In his spare time, he is also actively involved in film creation, inheriting and developing Chinese film art in his own way.
Tian Fang's family life is also interesting. He has had two marriages, and his second wife is Yu Lan, who is also well-known in the film industry. Together, the two raised four sons and formed a family full of artistic atmosphere.
It is worth mentioning that Yu Lan has also made remarkable achievements in her acting career. She starred in classic works such as "Dragon Whisker Valley" and "Eternal Life in the Fire", among which the "Sister Jiang" she played has become a classic of the screen image.
With her outstanding performance, Yu Lan won the "Golden Rooster Award" and the "Golden Phoenix" Lifetime Achievement Award, and was selected as one of the "Top 100 Movie Stars in New China", leaving a strong mark in the history of Chinese film with her husband Tian Fang.
The story of Tian Fang and Yu Lan is not only the life trajectory of two outstanding artists, but also the epitome of the development of Chinese film. With their lifelong enthusiasm and talent, they have made indelible contributions to the Chinese film industry and set an example for future generations.
The love story of Tian Fang and Yu Lan can be called a good story in the Chinese film industry. The relationship began in 1938, when 19-year-old Yu Lan and 29-year-old Tian Fang met in Yan'an, the holy land of revolution. However, their fate can actually be traced back much further.
When Yu Lan was 17 years old, she watched the movie "Top Gun" starring Tian Fang and was deeply moved by the image of the honest and upright farmer on the screen. Since then, Yu Lan has become Tian Fang's "fan" and admires this excellent actor. Who would have thought that fate would allow her to meet her idol and eventually spend her life together.
In 1938, in the drama club in Yan'an, 15-year-old Yu Lan finally met his idol Tian Fang. This encounter made both of them feel good, but they didn't dare to express their hearts easily because of the age gap and their respective concerns. As a result, a two-way crush quietly unfolded.
Tian Fang's hesitation about Lan stems from his past. His father died young, the family was in difficulty, and at the age of 17, in order not to disappoint his mother, he agreed to a blind date marriage.
Although this marriage did not have a vigorous love, Tian Fang still dutifully played the role of husband and father. However, as fate would have it, his first wife died after giving birth to her second child, leaving Tian Fang and two young children.
It was this experience that made Tian Fang retreat when facing the young and beautiful Yu Lan. He was worried that his age and two children would be a burden to Yu Lan.
However, the power of love eventually triumphed over scruples. In the process of a blind date, although there was a "big oolong" where the matchmaker found the wrong person, this became an opportunity for Tian Fang and Yu Lan to complain to each other.
On November 7, 1940, Tian Fang and Yu Lan finally tied the knot. After marriage, Yu Lan accepted and took care of the two sons born to Tian Fang's ex-wife with extraordinary maturity and generosity.
She regards her stepson as her own and tries her best to make up for the loss of their mother's love. And these two children are also very sensible, not only grateful for Lan's dedication, but also because Lan took good care of them after giving birth to his younger brothers.
However, married life is not always smooth sailing. In the first few years after marriage, Yu Lan became pregnant unexpectedly twice, but due to the turbulent times and difficult life, she had to choose to have a fetus with pain. This became her lifelong regret, and she also had a quarrel with Tian Fang because of it. However, the two who loved each other finally resolved the misunderstanding and their relationship became deeper.
After Tian Fang's death, Yu Lan used his actions to interpret what sincere love is. She has been widowed for 47 years and has no regrets. Even when she recalls her husband at the age of 90, her eye sockets are still red. Yu Lan has always believed that "love is a kind of faith", and interpreted the weight of this belief with lifelong perseverance.
The story of Tian Fang and Yu Lan is not only a love that transcends time and space, but also a warm picture of a family supporting each other and growing together. Their relationship has experienced the baptism of war and the ups and downs of their careers, and finally became a good story in the Chinese film industry, touching countless people.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Tian Fang and Yu Lan's life trajectories have undergone some changes. Tian Fang gradually shifted from the front of the screen to the backstage, mainly engaged in administrative work, serving as the director of the Beijing Film Studio and other important positions. Although there were fewer opportunities for filming, he made important contributions to the development of the Chinese film industry. However, the long-term exertion also affected his health.
In contrast, Yu Lan continues to be active on the screen and has shot many classic films. Her role as "Sister Jiang" in "Eternal Life in the Fire" can be called a swan song and has become an indelible classic image in the history of Chinese films. Even at the age of 98, Yu Lan is still making films, and her professionalism and dedication to art have earned her the title of "The Most Beautiful Struggler".
In 1974, at the age of 63, Tian Fang unfortunately died of bile duct cancer. Before dying, he left 200 yuan for Yu Lan and wrote notes to express his last wish.
This small detail reflects his deep concern for his wife and family. Tian Fang's departure brought a huge blow to Yu Lan, but she chose to live strongly, and turned her love for her husband into a lifelong perseverance.
Yu Lan still struggled after the loss of her husband. She served as the first director of Beijing Children's Film Studio and made important contributions to the development of domestic children's film and television works.
Even after retirement, she still maintained an independent life, did not want to trouble her children, and showed strong life skills and tenacity. It was not until 2020 that the 99-year-old Yu Lan passed away, and it took nearly half a century to interpret her deep affection for Tian Fang.
Of Tian Fang and Yu Lan's four sons, two have made achievements in the film and television industry. The eldest son, Tian Xinxin, has become an excellent recording engineer, while the younger son Tian Zhuangzhuang's achievements are even more significant.
Tian Zhuangzhuang has not only become a fifth-generation famous Chinese director, but also an excellent actor, who won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Film Festival. On May 25, 2023, the new film "Tent with Colored Balls" produced by Tian Zhuangzhuang is scheduled to be released, continuing the family's influence in the film industry.
Looking back at Tian Fang's masterpiece "Heroic Children", this film is still considered the pinnacle of domestic war films 60 years after its release. The storyline of sacrifice and reunion in the film still touches the heartstrings of the audience today. This is not only an affirmation of Tian Fang's acting skills, but also reflects the profound artistic value and significance of this work.
The story of Tian Fang and Yu Lan is not only a deep affection spanning half a century, but also a microcosm of the history of Chinese film development. They have made great contributions to the Chinese film industry with their lifelong passion, and their descendants are continuing this love for films.
From Tian Fang to Yu Lan to Tian Zhuangzhuang, three generations have left a strong mark in the history of Chinese film, and their stories will forever inspire future generations to continue to work hard for the development of Chinese films.
The legendary story of Tian Fang and Yu Lan is not only a good story in the Chinese film industry, but also a hymn to art, love and life. They have made great contributions to the Chinese film industry with their lifelong enthusiasm and talent, and have created many classic screen images that are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
Their love transcends the barriers of age and identity, goes through the trials of war and life, and finally achieves a moving story.
Yu Lan's 47 years of perseverance in Tian Fang interprets the power and depth of sincere love. Even in her later years, she maintained her love for art and a positive attitude towards life, showing admirable spiritual strength. Their children inherited their parents' artistic pursuits and continued to shine in the film and television industry, continuing the family's contribution to Chinese cinema.
The life trajectories of Tian Fang and Yu Lan not only show their persistent pursuit of art, but also their loyalty to their families, careers and countries.
Their stories inspire future generations, convey the positive energy of sticking to their beliefs and pursuing excellence, and inject lasting impetus into the development of Chinese films.
Their lives illustrate what a true artist is: dedication to art, loyalty to love, love for life, and a sense of responsibility to society. This spirit will always inspire us to continue to move forward on our own life paths and create our own wonderful lives.