240529 于适/Yu Shi (Yosh) Interview with GMW | 《我的阿勒泰》/ To The Wonder

Quote from GMW:
To the Wonder: A glimpse into Xinjiang’s cultural landscape through TV drama
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Since its premiere in May, the TV series To the Wonder has sparked widespread discussions across the nation. Adapted from Li Juan's celebrated prose collection My Altay, the series revolves around the character Li Wenxiu, inspired by the author herself, commencing with Li's return from the bustling city to her roots-a tranquil village nestled in the Altay Prefecture, situated in the northernmost reaches of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China. The series explores the lives of Li and her family, portraying their daily interactions with Kazakh friends like Batay and Token amidst the pastoral wonder. With the popularity of the series, Altay Prefecture has now emerged as a source of fascination for audience in search of "poems and dreams".
In this episode: Yu Shi, cast as Batay, joins Guangming Online to delve deeper into the essence of the character and explore his observations of the lives of Kazakh nomadic herders in Altay.
Describing Batay, Yu Shi highlighted his complexity. "He is a rough-looking man with a delicate heart, a young Kazakh with a strong inner core and pure childlike heart," Yu said. Batay's personality is shaped by the demanding yet serene environment of Altay. "As a Kazakh child, he shoulders heavy responsibilities early on, like herding sheep while the environment, devoid of urban complications, cultivates a pure heart."
Yu Shi observed that life for Kazakhs in Altay, while tough, is marked by a sense of freedom and purity. "The troubles and challenges they face can be solved with their bare hands. They might worry about a sudden snowfall while moving to a new pastoral area or if they need to move to the winter pasture early. These issues can be solved with their hands and their wisdom, which not necessarily causes mental anxiety. "
There is a saying that the word "Kazakh" inherently means "brave and free people migrating across vast grasslands." In China, Kazakhs are mainly distributed in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture in northern Xinjiang, the two Kazakh autonomous counties of Mulei and Barkol in eastern Xinjiang, and the Aksay Kazakh Autonomous County in Gansu. Li Juan, the original author of My Altay, mentioned in another of her works, Sheep Path, that "Kazakh herders in the nomadic regions of northern Xinjiang are probably the last and purest nomadic people in the world. The distances they migrate each year and the frequency of their moves are astounding."
Horses, referred to as the "wings" of the Kazakhs, have been the longest-standing companions of this nomadic people. Regarding the role of horse-riding in Kazakh culture, Yu Shi noted that Kazakh boys typically learn to ride not for competitions but for practical purposes like herding sheep. However, a twist of fate reveals to Batay the many other possibilities of horse-riding, such as becoming an athlete, veterinarian, or horse trainer. This openness to new experiences characterizes Batay's growth and increasing interest in the wider world.
In To the Wonder, Batay faces a major life choice: return to nomadic life or embrace the city. This conflict mirrors a generational divide among Kazakhs. Yu Shi, who spent months in Altay, feels a deep connection to the culture." Batay, unlike most Kazakh boys, loves new things like music and has long hair, hinting at his rebellious and artistic nature," Yu noted. This character's evolution reflects the broader narrative of younger Kazakhs grappling with tradition and modernity.
Drawing from his interactions with local Kazakhs, Yu Shi remarked, "Many young Kazakhs are trying to preserve their culture. They can embrace the city, but they should also remember their own culture." This sentiment reflects the delicate balance between embracing modernity and preserving cultural heritage.
For full article:
share.gmw.cn/en/2024-05/29/co...
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[@user-xo2iz8ds5v]

言之有物，观察入微，真是一位好演员！

[@prapimpornprapimporn8031]

Best series of the year. love it.❤‍🩹👍