An appreciation activity of the Huju opera film Thunderstorm was held in Shanghai’s Xintiandi International Theater on October 24.

A still from the Huju opera film Thunderstorm. [Photo/ www.kankanews.com]

The famed artists of the Shanghai opera performance, Mao Shanyu and Chen Yu, as well as the outstanding young actor, Hong Doudou, exchanged ideas with audiences about the shooting of the film.

Women in qipao pose for a photo. [Photo/ www.kankanews.com]

After more than fifty years since it was first created, the original Thunderstorm has been adapted into different versions. Starring Mao Shanyu, Chen Yu, Hong Doudou and others, the Shanghai opera movie Thunderstorm has been highly praised since its release in August.

The film conveys the essence of the original opera through pictures and sounds, bringing the unique Shanghai opera experience to audiences. Even Cao Yu, the playwright, thinks highly of the Shanghai Opera version and believes it to be the best among all the versions.

Besides the film-related event itself, 200 participating women who were dressed in elegant qipao presented a wonderful show. In the 1930s, the qipao was so modern in Shanghai that it was often used together with western-style suit as the common costumes in many Shanghai Opera works, of which Thunderstorm was a landmark.