Different from other food documentaries, A String of Life focuses on the barbecue stalls in the streets and records the cheapness of street snacks. After the film was broadcast, it was recognized as "China version of midnight food store" and "barbecue version of China on the tip of the tongue" by a large number of foodies. Xiaoer's Xichang Roasted Liangshan Pork, Yunnan Zhaotong Masi Roasted Beef Brocade, Xinjiang Yuli Abudu Roasted Whole Sheep, Zhanjiang Sanjiang Village Roasted Oyster, Jinzhou Ferroalloy Roasted Tofu Roll, Changsha Open-air Barbecue Booth Father-son Roasted Side Dishes, Jilin Changchun Qianfeng Head Office Baked Potatoes in Carbon Tanks, Yunnan Jianshui Lao Li's Father-daughter Roasted Tofu, Hubei Yichang 90 Girl Eggplant Sister's Secret Roasted Eggplant, Shandong Yantai Song Roasted Sea. Ningxia Yinchuan steamed stuffed bun roasted sheep's hoof, Harbin old lady roasted raw roast chicken eggs ... Even the northeast roasted silkworm chrysalis, Guangxi Baise roasted pig's eyes, Chongqing roasted brain flowers, Xuzhou roasted mutton balls, oil kidneys, etc., all exude attractive fragrance across the screen. The screen is full of children crying in Hunan, children crying in Shanxi, children crying in Sichuan, children crying in Guangdong, children crying in Shanghai ... Children from all over the country are drooling in front of the screen, and tears are falling in the West Lake because they can't eat.
But this is not so much a food documentary as a humanistic documentary about the ordinary life of ordinary people. From the film title "A String of Life", we can get a glimpse of the director's real intention-mutton kebabs are only the entry point for recording and transmitting information, and "life" is the spiritual core of the film. The barbecue is tempting, but the fireworks behind it are even more touching.
Let's take a look at those touching little clips in the film first.
Speaking of the value of barbecue, Lao Wang, the owner of Xuzhou "Family Barbecue", mentioned a little thing about 18 years ago.
Life experiences often make us feel depressed and disappointed. Want to find a place to vent their unhappiness, want to speak loudly, eat meat and drink freely, and the barbecue stalls on the roadside at night have become people's spiritual harbor, healing their broken hearts. This fireworks brings a little light and warmth to the life of a bad heart.
About the secret of barbecue, old Wang Man Li Yang said this:
Old people's experience on barbecue-"heart for heart". Barbecue is like this, isn't it all about dealing with people? The old man has had ups and downs all his life, and now he has a thorough understanding of barbecue and life.
The eggplant sister who roasted eggplant in Yichang Old Street had a love affair because of the barbecue, and entered the marriage hall with Qin brother who roasted oysters. Nowadays, due to the planning of the street, the business of the couple is becoming more and more difficult, while Sister Eggplant keeps an optimistic attitude.
Looking at her husband, Brother Qin, who is depressed because of pressure, Sister Eggplant always has a way.
At two o'clock in the morning, the song is over, and the young couple can finally eat a bowl of red oil noodles that can make them cry in the rain. The camera gradually turned to night. In the dark, Brother Tan said to Sister Eggplant, "Don't eat such spicy food, because your eyes are so red." Sister eggplant said with a strong dialect accent, "It doesn't matter, the barbecue has been roasted for a long time and it is smoky." As long as you don't barbecue for a few days, it won't be so red. "
The eggplant girl in the whole film impressed me the most. Here you can see the simplest and most common fireworks love, without mentioning the word "love", but you can clearly feel it through your eyes and actions and through the most plain language. You can also see the optimism of ordinary people in the face of life pressure, which will inadvertently make your eyes red.
Duan Ge, a frequent visitor and musician of Sister Eggplant, said, "Many delicious foods in Yichang are gone. Every time I come here, I feel warmer when I see Sister Eggplant still here, just like our musicians. After listening to the same song for a long time, I feel different. But if this place no longer exists after ten years, the eggplant girl will become a symbol and become a symbol of some people's memory. "
Here, you can also see the changes of the city, see people's powerlessness, reluctance and attachment under the changes, and see the fetters between people, even if they are only barbecue stall owners and diners who know little about each other.
Just like the movie said, maybe you can't remember the barbecue stall you once ate, maybe your city is undergoing great changes, but after many years, what you still remember is the familiar smell and the person who accompanied you to eat barbecue.
Shang Laosan, who set up a barbecue stall at the entrance of Yangzhou Middle School 13, witnessed the youth of Yangzhong students. They are here, falling in love, copying homework and fighting. After more than ten years, they have reached middle age and still can't forget the taste of their third home. The third home has become a place for these young students to recall their past and youth.
In the rebellious period, Lao San served as their off-campus counselor, accompanying the growth of students in Yangzhong school. Ten years later, the third child still clearly remembers their names and nicknames.
Memories of youth, where there are students in Yangzhong, are not memories of youth, where there are thousands of audiences in Qian Qian? I can't help but think of the food street at the school gate, greasy egg cakes, spicy Hunan fried powder, crispy Beijing roast duck, classmates who ate mala Tang together, and the lovely class teacher who came back to chat with us after drinking some wine. After graduation, you eat alone and watch movies alone. Few people argue with you seriously. Countless pictures danced in my mind, and I almost cried.
At the end of each episode, the director will tell the protagonist's recent situation with several narrators and a few simple shots. This is the most touching place in every episode. In a few words, the taste of life is all in it.
"The second brother opened a branch on the other side of Aerospace Middle Road, which is managed by Yisow. From then on, the two can only meet at three in the morning. "
"A friend helped Abu Dhabi open an online shop, and the express delivery made his roast whole sheep go further."
"Ma Si basically withdrew from the barbecue industry and gloriously joined the ranks of seeing grandchildren."
"A ping's oysters are more than two pieces for three years and two years, which basically belongs to losing money. But everyone in the village likes the smell and misses this place, so A Ping took his younger brother San Mao and continued to drive the "old place".
"After the death of the lover who accompanied her all her life, Sister Ping did not go out of business and could not give up this pair of violent men and women, which made Sister Ping rare and lonely."
"It's the season of collecting silkworm chrysalis again. Mrding estimates that in a few days, Xiaojun will go up the mountain with good wine. "
"Small skull old shop is closed now. Brother Liu went to "Gaolaozhuang" when he had nothing to do, pointing out the business of his cousin. "
"Today, Lao Wang's Home is still a spiritual harbor for night travelers to seek comfort, and Lao Wang is still fighting bloody battles on the road of dark cooking."
"At the same time, the silent brother Biao also chatted with Sister Li."
"Iron hook Lao Zhao is still cleaning today's battlefield in the kitchen."
"The father and son in Changsha dare not stay up late again."
"In addition to Xiao Ceng, barbecue madman Zhao Linyou has a new apprentice. Look at the pig's nose tendon on the fire, his little son, like a curious baby. "
"There is no soup to dry sea sausages on charcoal fire, and the barbecue is also inseparable from the fun of singing. If you guess the name of the song, a song is more willing to get up early for you. "
"In the evening at Li Sanqiao, the fire at home is ready. With like-minded people, you are not afraid to drink too much. "
"Lao Meng devoted himself to the grilled crayfish. The government is still the taste buds of a few people. Lao Meng, who is confident in his honey juice, is going back to the kitchen to continue his big move. "
"Brother Baozi, who has worked hard in Huaiyuan market for most of his life, is busy changing positions, but those old flavors will continue to be stubborn at the new address."
"Brother Wu spends most of his time in seclusion on his farm, away from the impetuousness of Jinzhou barbecue rivers and lakes."
"My daughter advised her mother to open a chain from time to time, and Sister Yin, who valued word of mouth, strongly refused."
"The elder brother of the party has a new idea about barbecue. The Zhong Yi brothers were sent by others. Thinking about new dishes is his favorite. "
"Shang Lao began to look forward to the New Year this year. Yangzhong students come to meet him, and his year will be complete. "
"Aaron is not good enough to meet the standards of the store. It is still unknown whether he can stand out tonight."
"Feng Chuanhui drink less, put down the glass. He is more of a man. "
The ordinary situation of ordinary people seems to have not changed, and something new seems to be brewing, but the tone of life is still the same as before. I like your home, Aunt Wang's, and Uncle Li's next door. The truth and simplicity that comes to your face make you feel particularly cordial and make you feel that life is like this. This kind of life is actually quite beautiful.
"Thank you for your hospitality" is screened at the end of the film, 1 episode, 2 episodes, 3 episodes, 4 episodes, 5 episodes and 6 episodes, and the whole film ends. But you know, the story is not over yet. The lives of those barbecues are not too big, and ordinary lives can be seen everywhere and continue to burn in the streets. You can safely turn off the computer and go outside to blow a cool breeze on this summer night.
Finally, may you never be lonely all your life.