The year 2025 marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of Zhao Dan, one of the most iconic figures in the history of Chinese cinema. To honor this artist who forged unforgettable screen images with his life, spirit, and conscience, the Renwen Society at China Institute will host an online lecture, Through the Gates of Hell: A Tribute to Zhao Dan, on December 20, 2025.
The lecture’s title comes from The Gates of Hell, Zhao Dan’s final manuscript completed near the end of his life—his last artistic testament, written with profound anguish and unwavering conviction. It reflects his lifelong pursuit of truth, beauty, and integrity, and serves as a powerful symbol of the indomitable artistic spirit he embodied even in the face of adversity.
Zhao Dan’s artistic journey was also deeply intertwined with that of director Zheng Junli, with whom he collaborated on several landmark films. Together, they forged one of the most influential actor–director partnerships in the history of Chinese cinema, shaping both the aesthetic direction and moral vision of modern Chinese filmmaking.
The Renwen Society is honored to invite Mr. Zheng Dali, son of director Zheng Junli and an independent film historian, as the evening’s speaker. Drawing on his personal connection with the Zhao family and years of dedicated research, Zheng will offer an intimate portrait of Zhao Dan’s artistic world and inner life. He will explore how Zhao Dan poured his heart and soul into roles such as those in The Life of Wu Xun, Lin Zexu, Nie Er, and Eternal Flame, creating characters that have become deeply rooted in Chinese cultural memory. Zheng will also revisit Zhao Dan’s experiences during the turbulent “Xinjiang years” and other difficult periods, revealing how the actor maintained his faith in art and beauty despite hardship. The lecture will include selected clips from films directed by Zheng Junli and starring Zhao Dan, offering viewers a vivid glimpse into the golden age of Chinese cinema.
Zhao Dan (1915–1980) was a pioneering figure of Chinese realist cinema. Rising to prominence in the 1930s left-wing film movement through works such as Crossroads and Street Angels, he reached new heights after 1949 with portrayals in Lin Zexu, Li Shizhen, Nie Er, The Life of Wu Xun, and Eternal Flame. Known for his ability to merge historical consciousness with profound humanism, Zhao Dan was celebrated as “an actor who performed with his soul.” Despite enduring severe political hardships, he remained steadfast in his artistic ideals, ultimately becoming a towering spiritual symbol in the history of Chinese film.
Zheng Junli (1911–1969) was one of China’s most important directors, actors, and film theorists. He began his career in the left-wing theatre movement and gained recognition at Lianhua and Mingxing studios for his expressive, emotionally rich performances. During the war, he documented the national resistance in his landmark documentary Long Live the Nation. After the war, he co-directed The Spring River Flows East, a milestone in Chinese cinema, and later solidified his status as a master of realist film with Crows and Sparrows. In the PRC era, he collaborated closely with Zhao Dan on Lin Zexu, Nie Er, and When the Dead Tree Blossoms, drawing on traditional aesthetics to enrich cinematic language. He is remembered as one of Chinese cinema’s “conscience and moral backbone.”
This lecture is not only a tribute to Zhao Dan, but also an invitation to revisit the roots of Chinese cinematic spirit. We welcome you to join us in this journey through light and shadow—to listen to history, to reflect on art and humanity, and to feel the enduring power of the screen.
2025年是中国著名电影艺术家赵丹诞辰110周年。为纪念这位以生命和灵魂塑造银幕形象的人民艺术家，纽约华美人文学会将于美东时间2025年12月20日晚8时至9时半（北京时间12月21日上午9时至10时半）举办在线讲座《地狱之门——致敬赵丹》。讲座标题“地狱之门”取自赵丹临终前完成的遗作书名，那是他留给世界的最后一封艺术遗书，字字沉痛，寄托着他对美、对真、对信念的坚守。以此为名，是对赵丹不灭艺术精神的回望，也是对他在苦难中依然呼喊“要留下美”的赤诚与勇气的纪念。
赵丹的艺术道路也与导演郑君里紧密相连。两人曾合作多部影史经典，结成中国电影史上最具影响力的“演员—导演”黄金组合之一。他们共同塑造了中国现代电影的美学方向与精神气质，被视为民族电影传统中最重要的艺术同盟。
本次讲座特邀郑君里导演之子、独立电影史研究者郑大里先生主讲。作为亲历者与长年研究者，郑大里先生与赵丹一家有着深厚的情谊，熟知许多鲜为人知的往事。他将以动情的讲述，带领观众走近赵丹的银幕世界与精神世界：赵丹如何以心写戏、以血铸魂，塑造《武训传》《林则徐》《聂耳》《烈火中永生》等光照影史的经典形象；如何将人格的良知、时代的风暴与艺术的追求融汇为震撼人心的银幕力量；又如何在“新疆五年”及特殊年代的沉浮中，依然执著地燃烧自己，守护心中的美与信仰。讲座中，郑大里先生还将播放由其父郑君里执导、赵丹主演的经典影片片段，让观众在光影交错中重温中国电影黄金时代的精神风貌。
赵丹（1915–1980），原名赵凤翱，江苏南通人，是中国现实主义电影的重要奠基者之一。20世纪30年代加入左翼电影运动，以《十字街头》《马路天使》奠定其青春形象与艺术地位。新中国成立后，他迎来创作巅峰，在《林则徐》《李时珍》《聂耳》《武训传》《烈火中永生》等影片中塑造了坚毅深刻、富有民族精神的经典人物。他的表演融历史厚度与人性温度于一体，细腻凝练、饱含力量，被誉为“以灵魂演戏的艺术家”。赵丹在特殊时代中饱经磨难，却始终坚守艺术良知与美的信念，以银幕形象影响了几代观众，成为中国电影史上一座永不熄灭的精神丰碑。
郑君里（1911–1969），原籍广东香山，生于上海，是中国电影史上重要的导演、演员与理论家。早年投身左翼戏剧运动，在联华、明星影片公司以细腻而富张力的表演受到瞩目。抗战期间奔赴前线拍摄纪录片《民族万岁》。战后转向导演，与蔡楚生合作《一江春水向东流》，并以《乌鸦与麻雀》奠定现实主义大师地位。新中国成立后与赵丹合作《林则徐》《聂耳》《枯木逢春》等影片，以深刻的人文关怀和对传统美学的吸收丰富了中国电影语言，被誉为中国电影的“良知与风骨”。
这场讲座不仅是对赵丹的致敬，也是对中国电影精神的一次集体回望，更是一场关于艺术、人性与时代的深刻对话。诚邀您共襄盛举，在光影的回声中聆听历史，感受艺术的永恒力量。
