Song At Midnight

Song at Midnight is a rich tapestry of the Chinese cinema landscape directed by Ma-Xu Weibang and featuring eminent actors such as Menghe Gu, Ping Hu, and Shan Jin. This 1935 black and white film stands out as one of the earliest and most noteworthy iterations of horror genre in Chinese film production. With its unique blend of suspense, romance, and societal commentary, it has left an indelible mark on horror cinema and is significantly considered as the 'Phantom of the Opera of the East'.

The storyline of Song at Midnight revolves around a disfigured singer, played by Menghe Gu, who secretly teaches a young protege while hidden in the shadows. This development is set against the backdrop of a dilapidated playhouse which further enhances the film's haunting ambiance. Tinged with both melancholy and mystery, the plot unravels into dark corridors of the past and unrequited love while maintaining a constant undercurrent of tension and suspense.

As Sun, Menghe Gu delivers a phenomenal performance. Visibly scarred and shrouded in mystery, his character adds depth to the narrative with layers of complexity exquisitely unfurled as the film progresses. This mysterious, disfigured ex-opera singer that dwells in the theatre's shadows is characterized by deep contradictions. His ominous exterior belies a tender soul that is manifested in his commitment to nurturing the aspiring artist. It’s a powerful, layered portrayal that blends mystery and melancholy in equal measure.

Juxtaposing Menghe Gu’s brooding character, is Shan Jin, the young and aspiring singer—also named Sun—who aspires to improve his craft but struggles with an inability to express emotion in his performances. Furthermore, his love for Du, the actress played by Ping Hu, is thwarted by a director who is keen on exploiting her beauty for his own gains rather than allowing her acting prowess to shine. The multi-layered performances of these actors provide a profound depth to the narrative, exploring themes of identity, ambition, passion, and unrequited love.

A pivotal character is the talented actress Du, portrayed effectively by Ping Hu. Du's character is poised on the brink of despair when the invisible benefactor, the disfigured singer, steps in to teach her beau how to sing with emotion, indirectly leading to the plot's unfolding.

Through the twisted plot and tangled relationships, the director Weibang brilliantly portrays societal pressures, disguised exploitation, and the importance of integrity in art. By hiding the disfigured singer in the shadows, he effectively uses symbolism to reflect societal bias and ostracization based on physical appearance.

While being a classic horror movie, Song at Midnight is much more than a simple tale of suspense and dread. It subtly interweaves social messages, striking a balance between the light and darkness that pervades its narrative. More importantly, the film explores individual sacrifice for collective good, a recurring theme in Chinese cinema.

The outstanding cinematography adds to the mystique of the film while the stark contrast it deploys through its black and white palette accentuates the film's atmospheric and psychological aspects. The use of shadows and lighting create a mood of tension and suspense, contributing to the eerie ambiance of the whole narrative.

The haunting soundtrack composed by Zhu Wei further escalates the building suspense and sets this classic apart. It is a critical part of the film, given that the lead character's concealed virtuosic singing forms the central plot. The titular 'song at midnight' is particularly striking, echoing throughout the film, each rendition resonating deeper with the emotions of the characters and underlying narrative.

Song at Midnight is characterized by its potent blend of horror, romance, melodrama, and social commentary. It's a prime example of cinematic storytelling at its most atmospheric, revealing a bygone era of Chinese filmmaking. Juxtaposed against the modern era's CGI-heavy horror films, this movie stands as a testament to the unadulterated power of suspense, psychological play, character depth, and meticulous direction. The movie has gone on to be recognized as a cult classic, leaving a lasting impact in the history of Chinese cinema.