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| Lifestyle |
| Variety program starring women in their 30s and above shows new trend of aesthetic view about women | |
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 A screenshot from Sisters Who Make Waves (FILE)
Actress and singer Jin Sha debuted in the entertainment industry in a campus drama nearly 20 years ago. Since then, she acted in eight TV series and released six albums. But then came a time when she found her career going downhill. With the roles drying up, Jin started doing commercial jigs sponsored by malls and companies so that she could still remain in the industry and make some money to self-produce her songs. And refusing to be disheartened, the 37-year-old signed up for professional training to improve her skills and find opportunities in the future. As the saying goes, God helps those who help themselves. Jin's break came when Mango TV, a streaming site backed by Hunan Satellite TV, invited her to take part in their new talent show. Sisters Who Make Waves is a song and dance contest featuring a group of women who are already celebrities with established careers. The unique thing is that they are all over the age of 30, with the oldest being 52. The TV show has already become a trending topic in China, especially among women. The group of financially independent, confident and hardworking women who have a mind of their own have broken away from the norm of meekly following orders in a reality show. They are not afraid of being critical of the comments made by the judges.  Actress and singer Jin Sha attends an event during the 67th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 15, 2014 (XINHUA)
Out of the ordinary Sisters Who Make Waves was released on June 12 without any fanfare. There were no promos informing viewers when the program would be released and the only publicity came from social media platforms such as Weibo. Although the guest list had been disclosed, viewers were still surprised to see yesteryear's celebrity actors, singers and hosts battling in a contest. "I've sung solo for years. Now I am interested in experiencing the life of a 'girl band' and making new friends," Jin said. She is not focusing on winning. She hopes the show will help her attract more fans so that more people will listen to her albums. "I love singing, standing on the stage and feeling the rush of adrenalin," Jin said in Definition, a talk show. "It is also a good channel to step back into the spotlight." Unlike Jin, Zhang Yuqi had never sung or danced in front of an audience before. An actress born in 1986, she had parts in many popular films such as Stephen Chow's fantasy tale CJ 7 and The Mermaid, and the historical drama White Deer Plain, directed by Wang Quanan and based on the eponymous novel that won 1997's Mao Dun Literature Prize, one of the four highest literary awards in China. "Performing on stage is a brand new—and even addictive—experience for me," Zhang said after the first round of the contest. The 30 contestants have only 15 days' training before each round. And they need to balance it with any other assignments they may have, such as roles in TV dramas or hosting shows. "I often practice during filming breaks," Zhang said. In the course of the three-month show, the audience will select the five top candidates, taking into consideration their ability to fit into a band, singing ability and on-stage performance. And of course their personal charisma. All the audience members participating in the evaluation during the live performances are women. Ma Shicong, a senior analyst whose subject is the new media, said viewers are looking for more diversity in programs, and the show is designed to cater to their demands. He told Sixth Tone, an online news portal, "It's about women's self-awareness … an alternative to the current talent shows focusing on youthful appearance."  Actress Zhang Yuqi with director Stephen Chow at a press conference on Chow's movie The Mermaid in December 2015 (XINHUA)
Fighting stereotypes Besides creating new fond memories, there is another reason for Zhang to join the show. She wants to be part of a project featuring mature women. She wants the industry to produce more films, TV series and variety shows telling women's stories. While male actors can star in multiple-genre movies even when they are in their 40s, for the women, it's a matter of dwindling screen time and limited role options as they age. Many celebrities have called out against this unfair ageism in recent years. So Sisters Who Make Waves is a pioneer, sending the right signal for the industry by building a platform for stars over 30. A big fan of the show, Zhang Yiwen, an executive with a pharmaceutical in Nanjing, east China, is a career woman. The same ageist challenge exists in her industry too. As the 32-year-old told Beijing Review, "My chances of getting training courses and projects are less than my younger colleagues'. What frustrates me is my feeling that my learning and work potential is regressing." Like many women aged over 30, she has been thinking about whether she should abandon her career to devote herself to looking after her family. "Some people have suggested that I temporarily give up my pursuit of a promotion and put more effort into educating my son," she said. So the program has come as an inspiration to her. "The variety show can bolster the self-awareness and confidence of professional women, especially those in their middle age," Wu Changchang, a journalism professor with East China Normal University in Shanghai, told China Daily. It has also revived heated discussion online about the subject of "leftover women," a derogatory traditional concept about women aged 27 or older who have remained unmarried. Traditionally, women were expected to get married early and raise children. A successful career or talent meant little. Jin said she pushes back against the pressure to hurry up and marry just anyone. "I told my parents, who urge me frequently, that my happiness is the most important issue," she said. The stereotype about women's appearances is another issue taken on by the maverick show. A slim figure and youthful appearance are regarded as desirable attributes for women. Actor, singer and model Adia Chan, 49, one of the contestants, drew flak from some viewers who focused on her figure instead of her musical talent, saying she had gained weight. "Such people fail to appreciate the maturity of middle-age achieved through experience," Zhang Yiwen said. But discerning viewers have given a thumbs-up to the program. "I am glad that China is starting to recognize the beauty of the so-called 'old girls,'" someone called Chengchen commented on entertainment reviewing platform Douban. "They may not be younger, in better shape or wealthier than others but they are independent in their spirits." "We should consider diverse standards of beauty," Zhang Yiwen added. "It is working hard and living their life that makes women graceful." (Printed Edition Title: Making Waves) Copyedited by Sudeshna Sarkar Comments to liqing@bjreview.com |
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