“Impression Sanjie Liu” is the inaugural work of Zhang Yimou’s Impression series and China’s first large-scale outdoor performance set against real mountains and water. The stage uses a two-kilometer stretch of the Li River waters and twelve peaks, led by Shutong Hill, as its backdrop. The venue is located at the Lijiang Landscape Theater in Yangshuo, not too far from the hotel, situated at a bend in the Li River. In fact, the most difficult aspect of such an outdoor performance lies in controlling the background lighting; finding a location with no houses or streetlights behind it is no easy task.
I also saw “Impression West Lake” in Hangzhou as part of the Impression series. I went quite early on and was young at the time, so it left a deep impression on me. As the first installment of the Impression series, “Impression Sanjie Liu” truly created a brand-new form of performance when it debuted in March 2004.
According to the official introduction:
“Impression Sanjie Liu” draws inspiration from the legend of Guangxi’s folk song fairy, Sanjie Liu, but is not limited to her story alone. Instead, it incorporates the composition and techniques of traditional Chinese painting into the natural landscape of real mountains and water. Combined with the unique rhythms and melodies of ethnic minority songs, it integrates and presents the natural scenery along the Li River, the daily life and labor of fishermen and villagers, and the folk customs of ethnic minorities through visual effects and artistic choreography.
The performance as a whole lacks a continuous narrative thread or precise lyric translations. Rather, using Sanjie Liu as a guide, and through impressionistic imagery and familiar folk songs, it representatively showcases the customs of Guangxi’s Zhuang, Yao, Miao, and Dong ethnic minorities, as well as the diverse tapestry of life around the Li River.
Therefore, the lack of a story is perhaps the biggest issue with this show, and also Zhang Yimou’s greatest weakness. For a director who started out as a cinematographer, without a good story, all that remains are visuals. If this had been seen 15 years ago, it would indeed have been a shocking spectacle. But in today’s era, where visual impact is ubiquitous, a performance relying solely on visuals feels somewhat thin and lacks strong appeal. Coupled with the lack of subtitles, transitions, and explanations, one has virtually no idea what is being performed…
Furthermore, before the show starts, a significant amount of time is spent selling calligraphy and paintings. During the performance, nearby audience members talk incessantly, make phone calls, and even video chat. Consequently, I really cannot recommend going to see it.
Aside from the theater itself, the venue includes many spots suitable for taking photos. Unfortunately, they are only good for photos—it would be great if the supporting facilities could catch up~~
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