【Sharp Reviews of Film and Television】

  In recent years, educational film and television works have emerged like mushrooms after a rain, which not only enriches the cultural market, but also arouses widespread social attention. From the TV series "Little Joy" and "The Day of Chasing Light" set against the background of preparing for the college entrance examination, to the TV series "When the Mountain Flowers Flowing" with the winner of the "July 1st Medal", as well as a series of educational film and television works such as "I Want to Be a Teacher", "Spring Breeze and Rain", and "Big Test", they reflect the hot topics of education work, touch the reality of education, cultivate the feelings of teachers, reflect the strong social trend of respecting teachers and valuing education, and set a new benchmark for the creation of educational film and television. However, behind the prosperity, some works still have problems such as over-pursuing topic popularity, ignoring the objective presentation and in-depth exploration of educational reality, and simplifying complex educational issues into single emotional catharsis.

  Education is closely related to thousands of households. If educational-themed films and TV dramas are separated from real life and ignore the real educational situation, they will become water without a source and tree without roots. At present, some film and television dramas blindly pursue dramatic conflicts, create illogical academic master's character and false teacher-student relationships, and make campus stories into idol dramas of handsome men and beautiful women. The character creation and situation setting are far away from real life, causing the works to float above reality. Good educational film and television works should resonate with "seeking truth". Based on in-depth research, "When the Mountain Flowers Flow" replicas Huaping Girl's High School one by one, using documentary-like "costume and makeup" to present the audience's immersive impression. During the creation process, "Little Joy" interviewed hundreds of families of candidates, integrating real life and profound thinking into the play, bringing the audience a friendly and familiar viewing experience. Only by based on reality can the discussion of educational issues be deeper and more comprehensive, can we truly arouse the audience's attention and reflection, and revitalize the unique vitality of educational subjects.

  On the basis of paying attention to reality, educational film and television works should also shoulder the mission of alleviating social anxiety. At present, my country is in a critical period of education reform. The unbalanced and inadequate development of education is inconsistent with the people's demand and expectations for education. "Educational Anxiety" such as "starting line" anxiety, school selection anxiety, and school admission anxiety have become hot topics in society. Film and television works are highly disseminated and highly radiant, which allows educational films and TV dramas to greatly affect public sentiment. In order to gain traffic, some current works deliberately stir up public emotions, amplify the pain points of education, focus on narrow perspectives such as score first and the complex of famous schools, amplify the pressure on college entrance examinations and parenting, provoke conflicts between home and school, teachers and students, and further aggravate the audience's anxiety. Therefore, creators of educational film and television works cannot ignore the social value of their works in order to pursue topic popularity. They should uphold mission awareness and responsibility awareness, alleviate public anxiety, and educate them with a fresh and healthy atmosphere.

  Relieving anxiety does not mean avoiding problems, but requires the works to objectively present the whole picture of education, touch the essence of education, enhance the public's understanding of education, and promote reflection and discussion of solutions. In the era of "attention economy", presenting educational issues in the play can attract the attention of the audience and the attention of the society and improve the topic of the works, but excessive amplification of the problems can easily lead to the audience's one-sided and negative interpretation of the development of education, affecting the consensus building of promoting educational reform and development. Educational reality is complex and multi-dimensional, with challenges and difficulties, and more achievements and warmth. Educational films and TV dramas should strive to show a comprehensive and balanced educational picture and should not generalize from a single point. The "Big Test" touches on topics such as parent-child relationship, student psychology, and pressure to go to school, and praises the selfless dedication and willingness to be a stepping stone for educators. The teacher's spirit of enlightening wisdom and moistening his heart, enjoying teaching and loving students, and shaping the image of students striving for strength and courage to pursue their dreams in adversity. Education is a mirror of the times and society. Educational problems never arise in isolation, but have profound sources of the times and society. Educational film and television works should break out of the limitations of education issues and tell educational stories and educational issues from the height of the times and the breadth of society. "Spring Breeze and Rain" closely links the personal destiny of rural teachers with the destiny of the times. It not only reflects the development achievements of China's rural education in the past 20 years, but also reveals the close connection between education and economic development and social progress, making the audience deeply realize that the solution to education issues concerns the long-term development of the country and social fairness and justice, and requires the joint efforts of the whole society. In addition to focusing on the educational problems existing in reality, educational films and TV dramas should also pay attention to the solution of educational problems. Through positive and positive solutions, they should provide a reference path for educational development and turn public anxiety into social participation. "The Days of Chasing Light" starts from the confusion of students and the anxiety of parents, and discusses "what educational concept should we face the college entrance examination with". Through Teacher Hao Nan's return after leaving the teacher's position, it reflects his transformation from the score-only theory of preparation to the dream of preparation, reflecting the development of my country's education from "only scores is from" to "multi-dimensional evaluation", giving the works far-reaching significance and rich practical value.

  In addition, education itself is highly professional and scientific. The creation of educational film and television should avoid "background" and "fuzzy" the industry, follow the principles of realism, observe education policies, respect education laws, focus on educational knowledge, return to the characteristics of the teacher profession, and use the professionalism of art to shape the professionalism of education. In the creative process, we can build a "professional + industry" creative team and invite professionals in the field of education to join the creation of film and television dramas. This can not only protect the authenticity and objectivity of the works, but also enhance the professional depth of the works, convey correct and appropriate educational values, grasp the rules of education, and avoid the transmission of anxiety caused by unprofessionality. Works such as "The Big Test", "The Days of Chasing Light", "I Want to Be a Teacher", and "When the Mountain Flowers Flow" are thanks to the full participation and guidance of relevant units and scholars in the education system, which has achieved remarkable results in presenting educational reality and exploring educational issues, and have won all-round praise from the market, industry and education fields. Only by professionalizing the creation of educational film and television works can we exert greater industry influence and even act as a booster to promote the development of the education industry. For example, the TV series "The Dragon Boy" incorporates many novel and practical teaching methods into it, allowing the audience to gain "drug information" of teaching and learning while enjoying the series, and triggering thinking about teaching methods.

  Literature and art are the clarion call for the progress of the times, which can represent the style of an era and lead the atmosphere of an era. Educational film and television works should insist on paying attention to reality, alleviate anxiety, enhance realism and professionalism, not suspend empty, do not act cumbersome, do not avoid problems, and do not amplify difficulties, use the power of art to enhance education understanding, convey educational value, explore solutions to real educational problems, stimulate people's confidence in the cause of education, and build greater consensus and synergy for promoting the construction of a strong education country.

  (Author: Hong Ruixiang, a teacher at the National School of Education Administration)

[Editor in charge: Susan]