CCTV.com Presents Sino-Japan Connection in Unique Performance of The White-Haired Girl

BEIJING,Nov. 11,2019 -- Yoko Morishita,Olivier Awards winner andlegendary Japanese ballerina,from the Matsuyama Ballet Company,along with her husband Tetsutaro Shimizu,the company's director and chief choreographer,have joined China in Stories,a variety program ("the show") produced by China Media Group,for a unique performance of "The White-Haired Girl".

"The White-Haired Girl" Performance led by Yoko Morishita and Shi Zhongqin

Mr. Masao Shimizu and Mrs. Mikiko Matsuyama

The White-Haired Girlpremiered in Tokyo in 1955 and was staged in China in 1958. During the show,Yoko Morishita is joined by Shi Zhongqin,the first Chinese ballet dancer to perform a section of the white-haired girl 65 years ago. Costumes and hair accessories worn by Yoko Morishita during the performance are gifts from her first visit to China 61 years ago.

Mrs. Yoko Morishita and Mr. Tetsutaro Shimizu shared their stories with "The White-Haired Girl"

"The White-Haired Girl" ballerina Mikiko Matsuyama and Yoko Morishita from the Matsuyama Ballet Company

Inspired by the Chinese movie The White-Haired Girlreleased in 1952,the Matsuyama Ballet Company produced its ballet as a social movement. Set in the 1940s in China,it tells the story of a poor young woman,Xi'er. Unable to pay her debts,Xi'er escapes from her oppressive landlord,only to be beaten to by her father and forced into hiding for several years. During her time in hiding,her long black hair turns white,before soldiers save her and reunite her with her lover,Wang Dachun.

A Classic Clip of "The White-Haired Girl" Performance led by Yoko Morishita and Shi Zhongqin

"The story of The White-Haired Girlis a Chinese story,but as people of the world,we like to show its universal value and remind others of the pain,and suffering women and underprivileged people continue to suffer," said Tetsutaro Shimizu in the show.

Strong cultural ties between Japan and China are a feature of several other shows too. Such as National Treasure,an artistic exploration and reality show that tells the stories of national treasures by interpreting their historical mystery and connection to ordinary people. National Treasure,filmed at a concert hall in Tokyo National Museum,brings Chinese and Japanese relics to life through stories centred on the history of the two nations.

About CCTV.com

CCTV.com is the official platform of China Media Group established to integrate user and content on the internet. In addition to continuously updated top news from China and around the world,it offers,live and on-demand video content,television programs and searchable archives in Mandarin,English and Chinese ethnic minority languages.

Photo - /20191111/2638491-1-a?lang=0

Photo - /20191111/2638491-1-b?lang=0

Photo - /20191111/2638491-1-c?lang=0

Photo - /20191111/2638491-1-d?lang=0

Photo - /20191111/2638491-1-e?lang=0