If I Were for Real (Chinese: 假如我是真的) is a 1981 Taiwanese drama film directed by Wang Toon.[1] It is an adaptation of the 1979 play of the same name by Sha Yexin, Li Shoucheng and Yao Mingde, set in mainland China. The film made some changes to the story to turn "the satirical comedy into political propaganda which condemns Chinese communism".[2] The film was banned not only in mainland China (like the play), but also in British Hong Kong until 1989.[3]
As a propaganda film that condemns communism, the film "in a total disregard of the inherent ambiguities in the play" made a number of "changes which drastically alter the meaning", according to Gilbert C. F. Fong.[2]
Characters associated with the Chinese government are demonized by removing positive traits. Farm Director Zheng, who displays some conscience in the play, is completely devoid of that in the film. The virtuous Venerable Comrade Zhang in the play becomes "cold, aloof, and keen on punishment instead of persuasion" Li Da and is given a much smaller role.
The film introduces a crude, licentious, and corrupt character Wang Yun, (clearly fictitious) deputy mayor of Shanghai who keeps an innocent actress as his mistress, thus strengthening the negative impression associated with the ruling elite.
In the film, Zhou Minghua's pregnancy is revealed much earlier than in the play. As a result, the opportunistic prankster Li Xiaozhang is seen in a much more positive light, as a hero fighting for the survival of his future family.
The play ends with Li Xiaozhang on trial and Zhou Minghua in the hospital. In the film, Zhou Minghua drowns herself (and her unborn baby), while Li Xiaozhang cuts his wrist and inscribes with his blood the words "If I Were for Real" on the cell wall before his death. (In real life, the imposter Zhang Quanlong (张泉龙) on whom Li Xiaozhang is based, was released after 3 years in prison.[4])
^ abFong, Gilbert C. F. (1987). "The Darkened Vision: If I Were For Real and the Movie". In Tung, Constantine; Mackerras, Colin (eds.). Drama in the People's Republic of China. SUNY Press. pp. 233–53. ISBN0-88706-389-6.
