Synopsis
In the autumn of 1926, as the Northern Expedition is achieving victories, the Ganxi coal mine is filled with joy. Union leader Yi Mengzi is particularly happy to see his comrade Chen Zhenyun return from the Northern Expedition. The forced dissolution of the workers' club has been reversed, and the blood-stained feudal boss Wang Liankui has been captured. The workers of the Ganxi coal mine believe they can finally hold their heads high and secure their position. However, the harsh reality of struggle gradually shatters their ideals. County magistrate Xu Jiawu speaks eloquently of revolution, but in reality, he is a Nationalist Party lackey who can turn the tide at will. The conflict between Yi Mengzi and the vast masses of workers and peasants and Xu Jiawu becomes increasingly sharp. Out of righteous indignation, the workers and peasants demand a public trial of Wang Liankui, but Xu Jiawu slanders Yi Mengzi as seeking personal revenge, delaying the trial date and deliberately sheltering Wang Liankui. Mengzi plans to establish a "Workers' Management Committee" to allow workers to manage production in the mine, but Xu Jiawu strives to restore the foreman system... As the fruits of victory are devoured by Xu Jiawu, the Communist Party leader Chen Zhenyun repeatedly allows Xu Jiawu to manipulate him, causing Mengzi great distress. The kind-hearted Sister Shun, who is Mengzi's sister-in-law and Chen Zhenyun's sister, senses the rift between the two brothers and feels uneasy but is powerless to help. The petty-bourgeois fervent woman Zhang Ruonan leans towards revolution, sympathizes with Mengzi, and despises Chen Zhenyun. After the "April 12" counter-revolutionary coup, Jiang and Wang unite, and Xu Jiawu tears off his mask. The armed workers are forced to disband, and the backbone of the workers is brutally killed, while Wang Liankui, released by Xu Jiawu, returns to power, acting tyrannically. Faced with the enemy's white terror, Chen Zhenyun, fearing for his life, becomes a shameful traitor; Zhang Ruonan flees in the face of danger, becoming a mere bubble adrift. Mengzi refuses to surrender his weapon, and Chen Zhenyun shamelessly expels him from the party. Xu Jiawu, unable to force Mengzi to surrender, takes him to the execution ground for a firing squad. After a near-death experience, Mengzi crawls out from the pile of corpses, holding onto the belief in the inevitable victory of the revolution, and embarks on a long journey to find the party. He endures hardships and finally finds the party representative Lei Huanjue. Guided by the spirit of the party's "August 7" meeting, Mengzi secretly returns to the mining area, contacts He Qingshan, who has infiltrated the mining police, organizes the workers and peasants, and prepares for an armed uprising. Xu Jiawu and Wang Liankui are terrified; to capture Yi Mengzi, they brutally torture Sister Shun and her son Xiao Hu, while Chen Zhenyun shamelessly begs his sister to reveal Mengzi's whereabouts. The whistle blows, and the uprising begins, with the Ganxi workers and peasants surrounding the county government armed with rock tips and broadswords. With the cooperation of the patrol team and the mining police, they capture Wang Liankui alive, and the traitor Chen Zhenyun receives his just punishment. In the end, Yi Mengzi leads the uprising of the miners to join Jinggangshan.
Cinemoodly
Mood and atmosphere
Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous autumn in 1926, this film immerses viewers in a world of hope and despair, where the echoes of revolution resonate through the air. The atmosphere is thick with the tension of class struggle, capturing the essence of a small town teetering on the brink of change. With a rich visual palette that contrasts the warm hues of camaraderie with the chilling shadows of betrayal, the film evokes feelings of nostalgia for a bygone era of rebellion and unity. The emotional journey of the characters, marked by ideals of freedom and sacrifice, unfolds with a slow, deliberate pace, allowing audiences to reflect on themes of identity and collective memory. The haunting soundtrack complements the melancholic yet inspiring tone, making it a poignant exploration of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds, perfect for those seeking a deep, thought-provoking experience.
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