The story of Mulan, who disguised herself as a man to take her father's place in the army, has been passed down for a thousand years. However, why did she go, and why must she go? Although our Canadian girl Kelly Hof had watched the story of "Mulan" on television since childhood, she still had no answers to these questions.
It wasn't until she participated in the original dance drama "My Mulan" that Kelly felt she truly understood the essence of this story.
In "My Mulan," Kelly plays a modern girl named Michelle. The entire drama begins with Michelle facing setbacks at an audition, leading her to hear the story of Mulan from her teacher, which then unfolds the tale of Mulan taking her father's place in the army. The show's chief director and founder of LINDANCE, Li Lin, expressed the hope that this special design would showcase the charm of different ethnicities and dance styles, allowing girls from two different eras and cultural backgrounds to engage in a dialogue that transcends time.
Kelly noted that her favorite aspect of "My Mulan" is how it integrates Mulan's traditional story into a modern context, bridging the gap between dancers and the audience. "Any girl can be 'Mulan'; any girl can possess that kind of courage."
Multicultural Integration Exists in Every Aspect
Having learned Chinese dance since childhood, Li Lin moved to Canada from Beijing in 2013 and opened a dance arts school "LINDANCE" in Markham, Toronto. Disney's animated film "Mulan" had once created a global sensation, and Li mentioned that she had a bit of a tomboy spirit as a child, which made her resonate with Mulan. Thus, she gathered outstanding dancers from China, the United States, Canada, and other countries, and within just six months, they created "My Mulan." The production involved top industry professionals in set design, music, and costume design.
Multicultural integration is the greatest feature of "My Mulan." Zhang Xinyi, who portrays the adult Mulan, stated that "My Mulan" is not a purely classical Chinese dance drama. While her character performs traditional Chinese dance, modern girl Michelle showcases elements of modern and contemporary dance, even incorporating some hip-hop.
Interestingly, Zhang revealed that her dance partner, who plays the general, is a Canadian dancer trained in ballet but had to perform using Chinese dance, presenting a significant challenge from the start. To better immerse himself in the role, he worked hard to understand the Chinese story.
Brazilian dancer Alan Goetten, who plays the Barbarian King, told reporters that during rehearsals, he and the Chinese dancers often discussed the story of Hua Mulan and Chinese culture.
Enthusiastic Response: Canadian Audience Wants to Recommend to Education Department
Original dance dramas are rare in Canada. While ballets like "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker" frequently appear in local theaters, "My Mulan" carved out a niche for itself with its compelling story and innovative presentation.
The audience was captivated and moved by this original dance drama that blends classical Chinese dance with Western modern elements. A Canadian couple who watched the performance told Li that they hoped to recommend the show to the Canadian Ministry of Education so that every child could see it.
'Chinese Culture Needs Its Own Voice'
From the perspective of traditional culture, "My Mulan" conveys the concept of "filial piety," but Li believes it conveys more about "love." "Whether for the country or for family, 'love' is also an ultimate pursuit of Chinese culture." Li believes that Mulan's motivation to join the army was out of love for her father, not just respect for him, and this theme runs throughout the entire drama. Additionally, she wishes to impart the courage embodied by Mulan to more young people.
Mulan's emphasis on family and pursuit of love holds universal value. Li hopes that through this drama, she can break down stereotypes that audiences from different cultural backgrounds may have about Chinese people. She expressed her intention to bring "My Mulan" back to the National Grand Theatre in the future to share this touching story with more people.
(Reported by Tracy/Written by Frank, Kelly, ShanShan/Photographed & edited by Fung/English proofread by Darius)
Related News:
Comment