User:Cchu13/Ai Xia

Death

In February of 1934, Ai Xia committed suicide by consuming raw opium. Her death was monumental as she was the first recorded film actress in the Republic of China to have committed suicide. When her body was discovered, there was reportedly a note that Ai had written which stated: “life is painful, and now I am very satisfied: (“人生是苦痛的，现在我很满足了。”). [3]

The film New Women is a film based on the tragedies of her life. It stars actress Ruan Lingyu who also committed suicide in a similar manner shortly after the film's release in 1935. It is speculated that director Cai Chusheng may have been romantically involved with Ai and thus, made the film for personal reasons.[9][7]

Suspected reasons

As she was a popular actress in her time, her death brought on the attention of the media and her fans. There were a few suspected reasoning to the motivation behind her suicide.

Firstly, her father’s business had failed and filed for bankruptcy and turned to Ai Xia for money to help. As an actress just starting out and having to balance her apparent quality of life with her family’s death, it was too much for her to handle. [3][4]

Secondly, Ai Xia had previously been romantically involved with a married man who had promised to marry her [5]. However, Ai Xia discovered that he in fact had no intentions of leaving his wife. Furthermore, Ai Xia later discovered that he was also having an affair with another woman [5]. This was thought to be the final occurrence to push her towards her eventual mental breakdown as she proclaimed her her good friend at the time: "the person I love most is the one who deceives me most!" (“我最爱的人，便是最欺骗我的人啊！”)[3]. On the dates leading up to her suicide, people reported seeing her in a disheveled manner roaming the streets [5].

New Woman movement

Beginning with the May Fourth movement, woman began demanding more rights and enjoying opportunities previously reserved for men. The Five Proposal movement wanted the realization of equal rights of property inheritance, the right to vote and be elected to office, equal rights of education, equal rights to work, and the right of self-determination in marriage.^[1] Furthermore, professional opportunities began to open up to women, free marriage grew in popularity, and birth control was introduced to Chinese society.^[1] Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's 'A Doll House' inspired many woman to escape their own 'doll houses'^[1] Despite these strides in women's liberation, they clash with traditional Confucius teachings, arranged marriages, women were still expected to serve society, but only the way men prescribed.

In Chinese film

Significant progress was achieved regarding women's emancipation, women in cinema have minimal, if any, voice. Mostly women in film operated as a metaphor for social, cultural, and economic issues. Although the changing allegorical roles of women allow some room for progress. The representation of women in film redefines what it is to be a 'New Woman' 'Modern Woman' modeng nvxing or, Chinese Nora which is a reference to the main character in 'A Doll House' whose named Nora.

In New Woman(The film)

Wei Ming, played by Ruan Lingyu, is a direct response to the difficulties woman faced and the struggle of being a New Woman. Wei Ming is also an embodiment of Ai Xia and the difficulties she faced and the director because the filmed is based on Ai Xia's life. Both Ai Xia and Wei Ming are single mothers, they both made their way to Shanghai to pursue a better life.^[2] Ai Xia enjoyed creative writing in her free time and Wei Ming attempts to get her book published throughout the film.^[2] The film then explores how woman are still expect to serve society as men prescribe it. Fired from her teaching job after rebuffing a large donor to the school, Wei Ming must take up prostitution to pay for her daughters medical bills.^[2] The film effective conveys the difficulties face by New Woman in a male dominated society.

References