In white shirt, blue pants, black cloth shoes and two pigtails (辫子), Jingqiu gives off an air of great “pure beauty” in Zhang Yimou’s new movie Under the Hawthom Tree.《山揸树之恋》
The film tells the story of the sad romance of Jingqiu and a handsome young man named Laosan. Set at the end of the “cultural revolution” (1966-1976), the pair manage to fall in love although they come form different political environments.
Before it was released, moviegoers speculated (推测) on just what this “pure beauty” could be. Director Zhang complained of how long it had taken him to find the right girl for the part of Jingqiu—a character so innocent that she believes simply lying on the same bed with a man will make her pregnant.
It was 18-year-old Zhou Dongyu who stood out from the crowd. According to Zhang, Zhou has “eyes that are clear like a fountain on a mountainside”. Born of an ordinary worker’s family, the Shijiazhuang girl was in her final year of high school and working hard for a place in an art college.
While some teenagers consider such “pure beauty” illusory (虚幻的), others believe that it speaks of something soulful.
Purity is all about the innocence that shines through from within, thinks 16-year-old Tan Mengxi of Nanjing.
“Being pure can be simple, not having complicated thoughts and being inexperienced. However, it doesn’t mean an ignorant or naive (天真的) person. So, a person is pure in his or her nature if he or she is always enthusiastic and able to deal with difficult matters independently. This purity doesn’t pass with time,” she said.
What image does Jingqiu give to audiences in the movie Under the Hawthorn Tree?
A. A simple girl. B. A pure girl. C. A romantic girl. D. A silent girl.
What kind of girl looks pure according to the passage?
A. A girl in red shirt, blue pants, black leather shoes and two pigtails.
B. A girl has eyes that are clear like a fountain on a mountainside.
C. A girl who was born into an ordinary worker’s family.
D. A girl wears accessories and make-up.
What’s the opinion of Tan Mengxi about purity?
A. It is of whether someone is ignorant or naive.
B. Being pure can be simple, not having complicated thoughts and being inexperienced.
C. It is of whether someone is always enthusiastic.
D. Purity is a matter of internal quality and doesn’t pass with time.
Which do you think is the best title for the passage?
A. What makes a pure girl?
B. A debate on the movie Under the Hawthorn Tree
C. Opinions on the character Jingqiu
D. It’s hard to find the character Jingqiu
When did the story in the movie happen？
A. In the 1960s B. In the 1980s
C. In the 1970s D. In the 1990s.