Novels and books are undoubtedly different forms of media. In a novel, a writer takes time to develop characters, weaves specific details in the text, and leads the reader along with tidbits of information. Film, on the other hand, must move on its own, breath, cry, inhale, and die. The written story takes time to develop; however, movies often start “in medias re.” Yu Hua’s compelling novel “To Live” was adapted to film by Zhang Yimou in 1994. Roger Ebert states in his review of Zhang Yimou’s film, To Live, that “ “To Live” is a simple title, but it conceals a universe” (Ebert 1994). While the film follows the protagonist Fugui through four decades of his life, the film alters the storyline significantly, and adds symbolism not appearing in the book. For example, Fugui travels with a group of puppeteers before being captured and force into service. The puppets symbolize the changes faced by the characters. Fugui keeps the puppets, but eventually he is forced to burn them, symbolizing change and the stark, new way of life for his family. Also, in the novel, the family farms and raises sheep, but the film ignores this aspect of the story. I thought the relationship between the son, Youqing and his sheep was a fairly significant part of the story. Yimou also changes the death of Youqing from the novel where the hospital bleeds him to death into a tragic accident.
In the interview with Yu Hua, Hua mentions that he is pleased with the film (Standaert 2004). Personally, I thought the film was entirely too political and Yimou changed the story in order to achieve a somewhat happy ending. At the end of the book, Fugui has only his oxen for company; however, in the film, Fugui has his wife and grandson still alive.
Ebert, Roger. To Live. 1994. Web.
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19941223/REVIEWS/412230303/1023
Standaert, Michael. Interview with Yu Hua. MCLC Resource Center. 2004. Web.
http://mclc.osu.edu/rc/pubs/yuhua.htm
Yimou, Zhang. To Live. 1994. Century Communications Ltd. Film.
In the interview with Yu Hua, Hua mentions that he is pleased with the film (Standaert 2004). Personally, I thought the film was entirely too political and Yimou changed the story in order to achieve a somewhat happy ending. At the end of the book, Fugui has only his oxen for company; however, in the film, Fugui has his wife and grandson still alive.
Ebert, Roger. To Live. 1994. Web.
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19941223/REVIEWS/412230303/1023
Standaert, Michael. Interview with Yu Hua. MCLC Resource Center. 2004. Web.
http://mclc.osu.edu/rc/pubs/yuhua.htm
Yimou, Zhang. To Live. 1994. Century Communications Ltd. Film.
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