Early Chinese Cinema: Culture, Identity, and Change (1903-1949)
This selection of films represents key moments in the evolution of Chinese cinema between 1903 and 1949. These works offer valuable insights into how filmmakers of the time navigated themes of identity, social transformation, and political discourse, reflecting the broader cultural and historical landscape of early 20th-century China.
This page is currently being updated, and more films will be added progressively.
1. Don't Change Your Husband (1929)
This silent drama explores themes of marriage, betrayal, and redemption in the 1920s Shanghai. The story follows Wang Qiping, a recently unemployed husband, as he faces his wife’s infidelity and a subsequent divorce orchestrated by her wealthy lover. The narrative unfolds with moments of comedy and heartfelt reconciliation. The film blends humor and emotion, portraying societal attitudes toward love and family in early 20th-century China.
1. Don't Change Your Husband (1929)
Title in Chinese: 情海重吻 (Qíng hǎi zhòng wěn)
Director: Xie Yunqing (谢云卿)
Studio: Great China Lilium Pictures (大中华百合影片公司)
Duration: 61 minutes
2. The Pearl Necklace (1926)
Adapted from Guy de Maupassant’s short story La Parure, this silent film tells the story of a couple’s downfall and redemption after a stolen pearl necklace leads to financial ruin. The narrative weaves innovative animated sequences and explores themes of greed, love, and societal pressures
The film is notable for its pioneering use of animation in Chinese cinema, a rare feature in the 1920s productions.
2. The Pearl Necklace (1926)
Title in Chinese: 串珍珠 (Chuàn zhēnzhū)
Director: C.Y. Lee (李泽元)
Studio: The Great Wall Film Company
Duration: 70 minutes
3. An Untold Tale of the Borderlands (1926)
Set in rural China, this moral drama follows the orphan Wang Guisheng, whose struggles in a harsh environment reflect broader societal challenges. The story takes a tragic turn when his love, Ah Zhen, faces a forced marriage, leading to dramatic and mysterious events in their village.The film captures the complexities of rural life and societal expectations, enriched by the director’s dual role as writer and lead actor.
Title in Chinese: 殖邊外史 (Zhí biān wàishǐ)
Director: Wang Yuanlong (王元龙)
Studio: Great China Lilium Pictures (大中华百合影片公司)
Duration: 80 minutes (partially preserved at 38 minutes)
4. Laborer’s Love (1922)
This lighthearted romantic comedy follows Carpenter Zheng, who devises a clever plan to win the heart of his beloved, the daughter of Doctor Zhu. Through humorous and inventive use of carpentry, Zheng not only saves Zhu’s struggling medical practice but also secures his approval for marriage. Widely regarded as the earliest surviving complete Chinese film, Laborer’s Love combines wit and charm, offering a glimpse into Shanghai’s urban life in the 1920s.