"Legend of the Demon Cat" is a fantasy mystery film directed by Chen Kaige. It’s an adaptation of the novel "Samana Kukai" written by Japanese writer Yoneyama Mineo. The film has hit the big screen on Dec 22, 2017.

　　由陈凯歌导演的奇幻悬疑电影《妖猫传》，改编自日本作家梦枕貘魔幻小说《沙门空海之大唐鬼宴》。影片于2017年12月22日在中国上映。

　　Taking place in the Tang Dynasty, a demon cat appears and breaks the peace of the ancient capital Chang’an (today’s Xi’an City), causing a series of strange events. Chinese Poet Bai Letian (aka Bai Juyi) and Japanese monk Kukai join hands to investigate the death of Yang Yuhuan by following the trail left by the demon cat, unveiling a buried fact.

　　故事发生在盛唐年间的长安城，妖猫现世，搅动长安，接连出现妖邪灵异事件。诗人白乐天(黄轩饰)与僧人空海(染谷将太饰)联手探案，由此牵扯出了杨贵妃之死，一个被历史纷乱掩盖的真相也浮出了水面。

　　Chen Kaige has been preparing for the movie for more than six years. He participated in the construction of the film set in Xiangyang City, Hubei Province, which resembles Tang’s capital Chang’an. The avenues and palaces in the movie are all real scenes. According to Chen Kaige himself, only three percent of the scenes in the movie were filmed in front of the green screen.

　　为了还原盛唐期间的繁华景象，陈凯歌特意花六年的时间“建城”，在湖北襄阳打造了一座唐朝长安城。观众在影院里看到的那些灯火阑珊的城市街道，大气恢弘的唐宫殿宇，全部都是实拍。整部电影只有3%是在绿幕前拍摄的。

　　Yoneyama Mineo, the author of the original work, was even moved to tears when he paid a visit to the film set. He made a comment on Chen Kaige that Chen is an expert in Chinese culture and history.

　　原著作者梦枕貘在去片场参观之后感动落泪，并评价陈凯歌导演“对中国文化历史有很深造诣”。

　　Early in 2005, Chen Kaige shot his first fantasy film "The Promise" which triggered tons of controversies. Many have complained that Chen could no longer reach the peak he created with his hit drama "Farewell My Concubine". Today, he has made another attempt on fantasy stories. Although “Legend of the Demon Cat” does not bring as much criticism as “The Promise”, the film still has sparked the most polarized comments online: the best Chinese film of the year or another failed attempt? Some sneered that it was like “The Promise 2”, while some hailed it as a top-level film like "Farewell My Concubine". What do you think?

　　早在2005年，陈凯歌拍了《无极》，虽然遭遇惨败，引出巨大争议，但也为中国电影开辟了奇幻电影新类型。很多人感慨那个拍出《霸王别姬》的陈凯歌回不来了。如今他再次触碰奇幻题材，虽然不像上次一样口碑惨烈，但评价也十分两极。甚至有人吐槽是无极2，有人则盛赞是霸王别姬2。你怎么看呢?

　　还记得影片中李白在极乐之宴上，

　　挥笔写下的那首诗吗?

　　这首诗作为影片“破案”线索之一，

　　其用意可以说是贯穿全程。

　　最后一起装装格调

　　看看它的中英对照学习一下吧。

　　清平调·其一

　　李白

　　云想衣裳花想容，

　　春风扶槛露华浓。

　　若非群玉山头见，

　　会向瑶台月下逢。

　　Pure Peace Tune

　　Li Bai

　　Her clothes like plumage and her face a rose,

　　Breeze pets the rails and the belle in repose.

　　If not a fairy queen from Heaven on high,

　　She’s Goddess of Moon that makes flowers shy.

　　Translated by Zhao Yanchun

　　翻译学家赵彦春