The True Story of Ah Q
by Ma Wenqi after Lu Xun / Direction: Li Jianjun / NEW YOUTH GROUP
»The True Story of Ah Q« starts off China’s literary modernity. Since its publication (1921), the name Ah Q became a byword for character weaknesses. The term »spiritual victory« has always been associated with the psychological defence mechanism of a loser. It is almost synonymous with Ah Q himself. People in China still use the term »spiritual victory« when they want to mock a failure or to be self-deprecating. In that sense, Ah Q still lives on today.
This multi-media adaptation by the NEW YOUTH GROUP, starts where the novel ends. Ah Q goes on another survival mission. Will he find an alternative way to live, beyond the concept of »spiritual victory«?
Born in Beijing in 1972, Li Jianjun, the artistic director of the NEW YOUTH GROUP, is a trained stage designer and works as an independent director. Known as one of the leading directors of Chinese avantgarde-theatre, his works often give rise to social and aesthetic debate.