2004,
China,
French,
Jin Xing,
Director: Sylvie Levey and Pascal Vasselin
Release Year: 2004
Original title: L'étrange destin du colonel Jin Xing
Synopsis:
"L'étrange destin du colonel Jin Xing" (2004), a documentary by Sylvie Levey and Pascal Vasselin, delves into the life of one of China's most unique and trailblazing figures, Jin Xing. A renowned ballerina, modern dancer, choreographer, and actress, Jin Xing's life story is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the courage to challenge societal norms. From her early years in China to her transition as a transgender woman and her rise as a cultural icon, the documentary offers an intimate portrayal of a woman who has defied conventions in both the worlds of dance and gender.
Born in 1967 in Shenyang, China, to an ethnic Korean family, Jin Xing showed an early aptitude for the arts. Her mother was a translator, and her father served as a military intelligence officer. Raised in a family that valued intellectual prowess and discipline, Jin was encouraged to excel academically. However, her passion for dance became apparent at a young age.
At just 9 years old, Jin Xing joined the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), where she received both military and dance training as part of a troupe affiliated with the Shenyang Military Region. By the time she turned 12, Jin had transferred to the prestigious People's Liberation Army Art Academy, where she honed her craft in classical dance. After graduating in 1984, she returned to the military dance troupe and was promoted to the rank of colonel—a rare achievement for a dancer, particularly a woman, in China at the time.
Jin’s discipline and dedication were evident in her performances, and her talent soon gained national attention. Her victory in a national dance competition, where she performed a Central Asian ethnic dance piece, further cemented her status as a rising star in China’s dance scene.
In 1989, Jin Xing’s destiny took a pivotal turn when she won a scholarship to study modern dance in New York. At the age of 22, she moved to the United States to study under pioneers of modern dance, including José Limón, Merce Cunningham, and Martha Graham. Her years in New York exposed her to the avant-garde world of contemporary dance, a stark contrast to the classical training she had received in China.
After four years of intensive study, Jin continued her journey, traveling and performing throughout Europe, and later teaching dance in Rome and Belgium. Her time abroad not only broadened her artistic horizon but also gave her the space to explore her personal identity. It was during this period that she began to seriously contemplate her gender identity, which had always been a source of internal conflict since her childhood.
In 1995, at the age of 28, Jin underwent gender-affirming surgery, transitioning from male to female. This momentous decision marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. However, the aftermath of the surgery was challenging: Jin's left leg was temporarily paralyzed, and she had to endure a difficult period of recovery. Yet, this did not deter her from returning to her passion for dance.
By the late 1990s, Jin had established herself as a force in the world of contemporary dance. In 1999, she founded the Jin Xing Dance Theatre in Shanghai, where she began choreographing innovative works that fused traditional Chinese elements with modern dance. Her choreography was described as "startlingly original and provocative," incorporating themes of personal and cultural transformation.
One of her most notable works, The Imperial Concubine Has Been Drunk for Ages, is an adaptation of a famous Peking opera, blending classical Chinese theater with modern dance aesthetics. Another celebrated piece, Cross Border–Crossing the Line, was a collaboration with British pianist Joanna MacGregor, further showcasing Jin’s ability to cross cultural and artistic boundaries.
Through her dance company, Jin became a mentor to a new generation of dancers, training students not just in technique, but in expressing themselves authentically and boldly. Her dance company became one of the leading forces in contemporary Chinese dance, known for its boundary-pushing performances and its exploration of gender, identity, and societal norms.
While Jin Xing’s artistic achievements are significant, it is her role as a public figure and advocate for gender rights that has made her a truly influential icon. Her transgender journey has not only reshaped her own life but has also contributed to greater visibility and acceptance of transgender people in China.
In 2013, Jin gained national fame when she became a judge on the Chinese version of So You Think You Can Dance. She became an instant sensation due to her no-nonsense demeanor and candid comments. One particularly memorable moment came when Jin criticized the show’s host for attempting to exploit a contestant’s injury for emotional effect, stating, "Chinese TV always digs at people's scars, consumes their pain. This is the biggest weakness of Chinese TV and I hate it!" Her raw honesty resonated with viewers, and it wasn’t long before she was given her own television show, The Jin Xing Show, which aired on Dragon TV from 2015 to 2017.
Jin's presence on television has sparked both admiration and controversy. In 2016, she began hosting Chinese Dating with the Parents, a dating show where parents select potential wives for their sons. The show was criticized for presenting conservative views on marriage and gender roles, but Jin bristled at being labeled as a conservative. In interviews, she has emphasized that her advocacy for gender equality and women’s rights comes from her own personal experiences, asserting, "If I were a male chauvinist, I would have continued living as a man."
Despite her high-profile career, Jin Xing has also built a family life centered around her three adopted children. At the age of 33, Jin adopted her first child, a son, followed by two other children she raised on her own. In 2005, she married Heinz Gerd Oidtmann, a German businessman, and the couple lives in Shanghai with their children. Jin's experiences as a mother have deeply influenced her views on gender and family, and she has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of women and children in China.
Jin’s personal life, much like her professional journey, has been marked by her courage to defy convention. She has become a symbol of empowerment for many in China and beyond, particularly for transgender individuals who face societal discrimination. Her life is a testament to the power of self-determination and the importance of living authentically.
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In recognition of her contributions to Chinese culture and her advocacy for gender rights, Jin Xing has received numerous accolades throughout her career. She was named one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2017, a prestigious recognition that highlights her as a leader in her field. She has also been a vocal critic of the Chinese government’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues, using her platform to advocate for greater acceptance and legal rights for transgender people in China.
Jin Xing’s legacy is not just confined to the world of dance or entertainment; it extends to her role as a cultural pioneer and a champion for social change. As a transgender woman in a society that has traditionally been hostile to gender non-conformity, she has become a symbol of resilience, grace, and strength.
Through L'étrange destin du colonel Jin Xing, we are given a rare and intimate look at the life of a woman who has lived many lives within one. From her early days in the military to her rise as a pioneering dancer and advocate for gender rights, Jin Xing's journey is an extraordinary testament to the power of transformation—both personal and cultural.
In many ways, the documentary captures the essence of Jin Xing’s life: a journey of constant reinvention, of overcoming adversity, and of striving to create a more inclusive world through art, advocacy, and self-expression. Her story is not just one of personal triumph, but of the broader possibilities for social change and the reimagining of what it means to be a woman, an artist, and a human being.
Image credits: DailyMotion
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