Take a trip back to China in the first half of the 20th century with this programme of extraordinary, rare and beautiful travelogues, newsreels and home movies.
See Shanghai’s bustling, cosmopolitan Nanjing Road in 1900, the Great World Amusement Park in 1929 and a day at the Shanghai races in 1937. Wander the streets around the Qianmen, Beijing, in 1910 and cruise Hangzhou’s picturesque canals in 1925.
Visit China’s great cities including Hong Kong, Chongqing and Guangzhou and visit remote villages in Hunan and Yunnan provinces.
Made by a wealth of British and French filmmakers – from professionals to intrepid tourists, colonial-era expatriates and Christian missionaries – explore 50 years of Chinese history across a diverse range of footage, including what might be the oldest surviving film to be shot in China, unseen for over 115 years.
The last few years have seen a growing recognition of the importance of older audiences in arthouse and independent venues and archive film is one of the best ways to make sure you’re connecting with people over 60 from diverse communities. This programme – accompanied by live keyboard by pianist John Sweeney – is one of the first of the BFI’s ongoing programme to reflect the lives of all of Britain’s diasporas, but it could also be a strong title for attendees who have an interest in the history of cinema and other cultures.
