If you see the world through the prism of war and constant internal conflicts, this picture will make a pleasant company.
What was the value of music in ancient times? How did it affect the minds of ordinary people and emperors? One of the few questions raised in the film. Fast forward to the past, and imagine the musical closure that existed in those days, there were no computers or iPods, which means that the influence of the man of art was many times higher than it is now. The generals were not afraid of death, they put their heads under swords, and closing their eyes filled themselves with divine music that came from the hands of Gao.
Emperor Ying Zheng understood very well that if he wanted to control the people, he must subjugate their hearts. Anthem is the solution to this problem. But people who have been captive to art since childhood are, first of all, free people, they understand the power of music and paintings. That is why Gao so fiercely tried to disown the honor offered to him, to become a court composer and write an anthem.
Monologue from the film:
Or what you call a simple melody saved me from the fear of death. I sought death, but without success. I tried to reject it, but I failed. I try to fight it all the time, but something is always pulling me back. Death attracts me.
Emperors are not ordinary people, even as children they go through the fear of death, which did not escape. But it was the music that helped the little boy overcome his fear of death and continue to live. If a person experiences such a strong shock in childhood, he may want to experience it again, there is a dependence on thrills. New wars! New achievements! This is what the hearts of those people want.
The experience that a person of today can get from watching this picture can flood his stronghold of inner self-flagellation. And what he used to think was a problem suddenly ceases to be a problem. Such pictures again and again bring a person a reminder that his life is not as gloomy and joyless as he inspires himself.