藏地电影的“净土”意象及其生成逻辑

The Aesthetic Image of“Pure Land”and Its Generating Logic in Tibetan Films

在脱离宗教的语境下,“净土”一词用以指代自然生态和谐的洁净美好之地,主体置身其中能够产生一种身心净化的审美愉悦之感。以电影为媒介,藏地的“净土”意象生成逻辑主要有“主观憧憬”、“虚拟置身”、“心灵回归”三种。电影创作主体对藏地“净土”的有意凸显正揭露了工业社会高速运转下,个体精神世界空虚、社会人伦情感缺失的时代症候。影像对藏地和谐的自然生态环境进行逼真再现,旨在激发审美主体对人与自然关系的深刻反思,以沉浸式体验的方式完成了一次电影的“审美救赎”。

“Tibetan film”is a classification of motion pictures based on geographical culture,which is used to refer to a kind of long feature film which takes the Tibetan ethnic settlement as the main narrative location or stage set.Because of their unique natural and religious character,Tibetan films often have a kind of“aesthetic redemption”aspect.Whether in the American film Lost Horizon,2012,or the Chinese films SeventySeven Days,Kora,Seek McCartney,and The Sun Beaten Path,the Tibetan region is presented as a“pure land”of healing that gives hope and courage to those in despair and need.If the“pure land”image of Tibetan films is assessed from the perspective of genealogy and aesthetic psychology,we see three types of reasoning emerging.Firstly,a subjective vision,arising from a terrible assault on the harmony and beauty of the“pure land”.By using its own advantages,the film boldly imagines and visualizes the depletion of the earth’s resources and the largescale destruction of the natural environment.When human beings are in danger,they instinctively flee to the ideal“pure land”of refuge,and the Tibetan region perfectly meets the requirements for the title of“equilibrium space”.Secondly,a logic of virtual exposure,with empathic body suffering to heal the individual’s mental trauma.In Tibetan films with the motif of“redemption”,the audience follows the figures through physical suffering under extreme weather conditions in Tibetan regions and finds the value and meaning of life again on the verge between life and death.Thirdly,the return of the soul,with Tibetan family members seeking inner peace for the characters.Tibetan film directors focus here on reallife situations in Tibetan areas,arouse a psychological reaction because of the appealing topic and affectionate relationships,and highlight the firm belief that no matter what kind of adversity one encounters in life,one can always return to the safe,warm,and peaceful space of the family unit.“Excellent”films in history all directly or indirectly reflect ethical values,aesthetic orientation,and a matching time frame,and their main purpose is to help people face life positively.Tibetan films try to create an image of“pure land”in three ways:the beauty of the ecological and harmonious landscape,the spiritual pleasure after suffering,and the affection from family members.Pursuant to the directive of“protecting the pure land and building a beautiful QinghaiTibet Plateau”,the building of ecological civilization has been given in a higher priority.Tibet’s snowcapped mountains,grasslands,lakes,soaring eagles,and freerunning sheep,all show a beautiful harmony between nature and life,which is emphasized in Tibetan films.Of course,a mere“pure land”fame won’t be enough to fully arouse the public’s awareness of the ecological crisis,nor can it prevent real environmental disasters from happening.Still,film as a medium and the vision and dream of a“pure land”will inspire and encourage the rebuilding of an ecological civilization.It also pushes the development of human society in the“postepidemic era”in certain directions.