Interview of the film "Miracle Band"

   

Director Profile:

Chunling Xu, female, director, completed the film "Miracle Band" in February 2023, and the director is also the screenwriter of this film. She spent more than a year interviewing more than 100 visually impaired people, walking into the real lives of visually impaired friends, following them by bus, subway, eating and chatting, walking into their families, collecting their touching events, and accumulating more than 1600 hours of precious material, Strive to truly reproduce the life of disabled people in the new era in the film, and the script has been revised over sixty times. The original intention of the film creation is to shoot a film for visually impaired groups, hoping that more people will lend a helping hand to integrate visually impaired groups into society, encouraging them to live with dignity and have the courage to pursue their dreams.

Film synopsis:

It tells the story of six blind teenagers who dreamed of becoming excellent musicians and formed a "miracle band". With the help of teachers in the school for the blind, with their dedication and love for music, they overcame numerous difficulties  that ordinary people cannot imagine, persevered, and finally stood on the stage to let the audience see their youth stories through music.

Director's Statement:

The film "Miracle Band" is an inspirational musical and literary film about blind teenagers, which aims to express their love for life and music.The theme of the film: I have found my hobbies and dreams, and regardless of the outcome, I will pursue them. What I enjoy is the process of seeking dreams, and what I reap is the experience of not regretting after trying. Although I cannot see the world, I can at least do one thing, that is, let the world see me through music.

This film is a purely musical and literary film, a feature film based on a realistic style, with aesthetic images and appropriate musical melodies that resonate with the audience. During the early stages of the film's creation, there were a large number of visits, including following the lives of blind people, watching them rehearse and perform, and interviewing blind families. Seek material and inspiration from life to avoid leaving the impression of "one side of a thousand dramas" on the audience.

The film focuses on single line narration, embodying a rustic aesthetic sense, and viewing issues from the perspective of blind teenagers. The narrative structure is simple, pure, beautiful, and close to nature. The story takes place in Shanghai, and the overall style of the film's photography is natural and authentic. The film has a sense of beauty and atmosphere based on reality in Shanghai.

The actors in the film choose blind non professional actors, and all six members of the band in the film act as visually impaired teenagers.In my previous interview, I have intentionally observed and selected six visually impaired teenagers who can basically perform as they are. However, this decision is also very difficult. The location of the scene during filming, the scheduling of actors, and the setting up of scenes with normal people are extremely difficult, which poses a great challenge to both the director and the participating actors. When I choose blind actors, I basically choose blind actors that are suitable for the character of the character. Each actor tries to be close to the character and act as he or she is. During filming, guide blind non professional actors to find resonance with their own life experiences, provide encouragement, build confidence, and enable non professional actors to dare to express themselves, appropriately revealing the emotions that characters should have. As I have already contacted these blind children in advance, I can guide them into their roles based on understanding them. The blind actors accomplished their performance task excellently.

Fortunately, during the special period of the COVID-19 epidemic, we also completed the shooting task.We hope that through the growth process of blind teenagers, the film will enable each of us healthy people to carefully experience the fleeting time and years. Even when youth has passed, the best love we had when we were young remains in our hearts. The way we go all out for love suddenly reminds us that it is still as.

Edited by: Sfilmmaker