The drama “A Journey to Love”, written by Zhang Wei, directed by Zhou Jingtao and Zou Xi, and starring Liu Shishi and Liu Yuning, is currently being widely watched. Shortly after its premiere, it quickly caught the attention of netizens and received a multitude of praise.
It tells the legendary adventure story of a small team led by Ren Ruyi (played by Liu Shishi) and Ning Yuanzhou (played by Liu Yuning), who travel from Wudu to Andu, fighting side by side along the way to ultimately achieve peace. The drama encompasses both court politics and the lives of martial artists, with the road serving as the perfect backdrop for this story.
This year's film and television dramas have seen a considerable number of road elements. In addition to “A Journey to Love,” dramas such as “Grandma's New World,” “Young Blood Season 2,” “Fearless Blood,” and “Parallel World” can all be considered as broad interpretations of road dramas. The protagonists are always continuously exploring the map, making new friends, and experiencing different landscapes.
Life is a wilderness, not a track, and the characters in the drama reflect this sentiment. Whether it is to escape or to pursue, it seems that as long as the main characters embark on a journey, the story becomes more poignant. It can be said that the combination of the road and different genres has brought a fresh wind to this year's drama market, making these works difficult to define due to their departure from conventional settings.
01 Chinese Road Drama in 2023
In “A Journey to Love,” Ren Ruyi and Ning Yuanzhou grow tired of their lives as professional assassins and long to retreat to the mountains away from the court. However, as their abilities grow, so does their responsibility, and they have no choice but to take on the leadership role. The main characters travel from Wudu to Andu, from the south to the northwest, engaging in battles and negotiations with various forces. Along the way, they take a brief rest in the nearby town and have heart-to-heart conversations.
It can be said that this journey changes the fate of many character, including the protagonists themselves. The unpredictability of a road drama often creates a strong bridge effect for the development of relationships between characters. After experiencing life-threatening battles together, the main male and female leads can quickly establish a connection and confirm their true feelings.
The fantasy-themed “Parallel World” is full of the flavors of both western and road films. The main storyline follows the adventurous journey of the female lead Ye Liuxi (played by Ni Ni) and Chang Dong (played by Bai Yu), as they pass through Yumen, Sima Dao, and finally reach the city of Blackstone. The suspenseful plot is complemented by the fascinating customs of the Silk Road and the mysterious world of demons and ghosts.
“Grandma's New World” struck a chord with many young people with its original comic storyline. It tells the story of Sun Yuping (played by Yan Ni), who has spent her whole life obediently serving her family, but suddenly rejuvenates herself by running away from home in her old age. This drama embodies the main theme of a road film – the desire to escape from the current state of life, while also exploring the liberation of women from their families in the present day.
In “Fearless Blood,” Xu Tian (played by Dong Zijian) sets off from Nanyang and travels through Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang, meeting people such as Lao Sun (played by Liao Fan), Yu Yixiu (played by Zhang Luyi), Yu Zhou (played by Wu Xiaoliang), and Zhang Jiayi (played by Zhang Yi), before finally delivering revolutionary supplies to Shanghai.
The first part of “Young Blood Season 2” mainly takes place in a study, while in the second part, the Mi Ge is destroyed, and the main characters travel to Western Xia in search of Zhao Jian (played by Zhou Yutong), and then escape back to Kaifeng from Western Xia.
The screenwriter Wang Juan is particularly skilled at storytelling through road journeys. His earlier work, “Legend of Southwest Dance and Music,” tells the story of Prince Shu Nanduo (played by Lin Gengxin) leading the Biao State Orchestra on a long journey to present music to the Tang Dynasty. Similarly, “Joy of Life” also includes a portion of the story that takes place on the road, such as Fan Xian (played by Zhang Ruoyun) going on a diplomatic mission to Northern Qi.
02 The Setting of a Road Drama
The genre of road theme is quite common in films. The birth of road movies can be traced back to post-World War II American cinema. “Easy Rider” and “Bonnie and Clyde” are considered the origins of road movies. Due to the strong presence of automobiles, many road films have male protagonists. The emergence of films like “Thelma & Louise” and “Kill Bill” has shifted the direction of road movies.
In “Thelma & Louise,” the story of Selma (played by Geena Davis) and Louise (played by Susan Sarandon) embarks on a journey of freedom and becomes a process of the two women's resistance against a male-dominated society. It explores various themes such as freedom, feminism, violence, and justice. The thematic expression and magnificent western landscapes make this journey filled with a tragic atmosphere, resonating with a sense of exhilaration.
In “Kill Bill,” the female protagonist played by Uma Thurman is originally an assassin, but she seeks revenge after being betrayed at her wedding. She embarks on a journey of madness and revenge, driving from Texas to Okinawa, Tokyo, and Mexico. The loss of her identity as a “bride + mother” fuels the protagonist's strong desire to hit the road.
It can be observed that in this year's female-oriented road dramas “A Journey to Love” and “Parallel World,” there are similar settings and expressions. For example, Ye Liu Xi possesses extraordinary abilities and seeks revenge, while Ren Ru Yi is also a former assassin with the identity of a revenge goddess. She doesn't trust men but forms deep bonds with many women. The dialogue output also reflects a strong female consciousness.
Due to the longer duration of television dramas compared to films, road dramas can more meticulously and fully depict the protagonist's experiences and growth during the journey, allowing for the integration of various styles and expressions. Of course, nowadays, the themes and styles of road movies are already quite diverse. Chinese films have thrilling road movies that serve as reminders not to hit the road, as well as family-friendly road movies with comedic elements, creating a sense of healing and reconciliation for the protagonists.
In “A Journey to Love,” Ren Ru Yi's journey is driven by revenge and freedom, but she also finds love, healing, and personal growth. Of course, there is also the act of bidding farewell and letting go. When the protagonist steps out of the previous life environment and state, the adventure begins. Compared to the starting point, each member of the road drama's main cast will have different outcomes. Some may become better, while others may have their destinies worsen or even lose their lives. The tragic scent of someone's tragedy is often sensed amidst the group's playful interactions. However, the soul of a road drama lies in the experiences and gains during the journey, which are more important than the outcome.
03 What's New in Road Drama
The development of road stories has formed a set of basic principles. In addition to a constant driving force and rich themes, they are often suitable for incorporating episodic events and shaping an ensemble cast.
The ensemble cast in “Young Blood Season 2” is highly cohesive. In “A Journey to Love,” Ren Ru Yi joins the Liudao Tang and forms a group with Ning Yuan Zhou, Yuan Lu, Yu Shi San, Qian Zhao, Sun Lang, and Yang Ying. On the one hand, they are imbued with themes of loyalty and patriotism, while also containing elements of comedy and family entertainment. For example, Yu Shi San provides comic relief and stands out.
In female-oriented road dramas, there is always a special pattern of romance and division of tasks. Whether it's Ye Liu Xi and Chang Dong in “Parallel World” or Ren Ru Yi and Ning Yuan Zhou in “A Journey to Love,” the female lead is a forceful attacker, with a clean and efficient approach to tasks. The highly emotionally intelligent male lead often serves as support and team management, providing emotional value to the female lead when needed.
The appeal of road dramas lies in the changing scenery and the unpredictability of the journey. The construction of a fluid landscape is crucial for road dramas. In road dramas, viewers can see open road spaces and a wealth of outdoor shots. The fluid space not only sets the atmosphere but also guides the narrative.
For historical dramas that heavily rely on film sets, studios, and post-production, the natural landscapes brought by road storytelling provide a refreshing visual and auditory experience for the audience. For example, these two drama mention above have the basic direction of “northwest China,” with a color palette primarily composed of red and yellow, which is especially visually stunning in the desert.
The origins of road stories can be traced back to epics or travel literature such as “The Odyssey,” and even “Journey to the West” can be considered a classical adventure road drama. Odysseus spent ten years drifting at sea, encountering Greek gods and numerous companions. Tang Sanzang and his disciples embarked on a journey from the Tang Dynasty in the East to the Western Heaven, slaying demons along the way. From a contemporary perspective, this is what we call episodic events.
The variables of the journey can come from unexpected situations, encounters with strangers, or conflicts within the group of protagonists. When a group of individuals with significant differences embark on the same journey, the landscapes, people, and events constantly affect their hearts, making each person come alive.
In conclusion, a continuous stream of events emerges, and this journey will never lack fuel. If the screenwriter wishes, the story can continue indefinitely, with the protagonists constantly exploring new territories, encountering episodic events, and the journey itself may have no end. From this perspective, road theme are well-suited for serialized dramas.