War serials get a reality check

Nie Yuan (right) plays the lead in Kill The Evils Off. [Photo provided to China Daily]

More realistic portrayals of war are gaining ground in the broadcast battles.

Viewers and industry insiders have criticized recent years' TV series about the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) for exaggerated－even absurd－plots.

A national order from the country's top media watchdog requires major satellite channels to broadcast "anti-fascist" series during prime time hours from Sept 3 to the end of October. Sept 3 marks China's Victory Day as the Japanese government held a surrender ceremony one day earlier in 1945.

Showbiz insiders observe that the recently released productions about World War II are closer to history and treat their subjects more seriously, compared with the hundreds of similar series aired in the past several years.

During a media conference to promote the recently aired series Kill The Evils Off, five actors－at least three of whom have appeared in other war series－declared opposition to the so-called leiju, referring to serials with ridiculous scenarios, such as super-stylish soldiers with supernatural powers.

The 32-episode series centers on a Communist Party troop's cooperation with Kuomintang armies to fight Japanese invaders.

The show, which is jointly produced by three major satellite channels, premiered on Beijing Satellite Channel on Oct 31 and is now airing on three major channels across the country.