Classic Peking Opera still resonates on silver screen

Teng recalls filming during the coldest winter months along the coast of Zhejiang province, but the artists, exemplified by Zhang, gritted their teeth and overcame the difficulties while working more than 10 hours a day.

"Zhang insisted on canceling the trailer we booked for her to save our limited budget to improve the film's quality," Teng says.

Another example of this camaraderie is that while some supporting actors had limited scenes, they insisted on staying on the set, offering to help in any way they could.

"With 8K resolution, this film is presented to today's audience with the clearest images, the most saturated colors, and the most precise combination of camera movement and structure," Teng says.

This film is made for today and the future, he adds.

"With this film, we pay tribute to Cheng Yanqiu, our national treasure Peking Opera, and the excellent contemporary performers of the Cheng style who have been working hard to pass down the art form," Teng says.

In 2014, the film concept was included in the Peking Opera Film Project, initiated in 2011 to preserve outstanding stage productions through cinematic techniques. It later received support from the China National Arts Fund, which was approved by the State Council in late 2013.

The completion of The Kylin Purse highlights that all 21 films listed in the project have been produced, with Shanghai Film Group having filmed and produced six.

Last June, the film made its Shanghai premiere at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival.

In November, it was screened at the 9th edition of the festival of traditional Chinese operas in Paris and won one of its top prizes.

The China National Film Museum has entered all 21 films from the project into its archives and established a permanent exhibition themed on the project.

"The Kylin Purse is a highly acclaimed classic in the Peking Opera scene," says Huang Xiaowei, the museum's curator.

"Its script upholds long-standing values such as justice and gratitude. With the distinctive Cheng singing style, especially under the superb performance of Zhang Huoding, the production has remarkable artistic depth and appeal,"Huang adds.

She stresses the vital role Peking Opera played in China's cinematic history, as the first-ever Chinese film Dingjun Mountain, released in 1905, was a recording of veteran Peking Opera artist Tan Xinpei performing.

"The exhibition themed on the Peking Opera Film Project has expanded and enriched our museum's film collection. It has taken on an integral role in showcasing the achievements of Chinese cinema,"Huang adds.