A new film about the Eight Immortals has recently become a hit in the film market with 1.6 billion box office and a score of 8.2.
With 1.6 billion in box office revenue and a rating of 8.2, few could have predicted that a new film based on the Eight Immortals would become such a hit in the recent film and television market.
The legend of the Eight Immortals is well known to the general public. In traditional narratives, these immortals have always been portrayed as beings transcending the mundane, descending to earth primarily to enlighten mortals; however, the narrative logic of this film breaks free from that established framework.
In the film, Zhongli Quan has been haunted since birth by the prophecy that he was “born to be a thief,”and as a teenager, he was ostracized by his neighbors because of this unfounded reputation. Accustomed to scraping by through petty theft in the streets, with no outlet for his deep-seated frustration, he spent his days scheming to break free from this curse that followed him like a shadow;Lü Dongbin, on the other hand, was a poor scholar who lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother. He was stubborn by nature, and his fear of dogs stemmed from a traumatic experience in his youth when he was chased and bitten by a stray dog. He acted solely according to his own convictions and was never swayed by the opinions of others.
In the traditional story of the Eight Immortals, Zhongli Quan was originally depicted as the one who enlightened Lü Dongbin; in this film, however, the narrative has been rewritten so that the two support one another as fellow disciples.Zhongli Quan repeatedly stumbles while trying to evade a curse, and Lü Dongbin, disregarding others’ criticism, pulls him back onto the right path time and again. When Zhongli Quan lacks food and clothing, Lü Dongbin sets aside food from his meager salary to share with him;and when Lü Dongbin got into trouble due to his stubbornness, Zhongli Quan would use the skills he’d honed on the streets to help him navigate the situation. These two ordinary people, both facing adversity, supported one another as they gradually pulled themselves out of the quagmire, step by step.
It is only when the two characters finally overcome the most difficult obstacle that the audience gradually comes to understand the film’s core message: there are no innate immortals. Even when facing hardship or occasionally losing one’s way, as long as there are others to lend a helping hand—and as long as one refuses to give up easily—there is always a chance to return to the right path.By staying true to one’s heart, caring for others, and supporting one another in times of need, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome. After watching the film,
many viewers are reminded of the most memorable version of the Eight Immortals story from their own childhood, and each holds a special connection to the scene that moved them most.
