The beginnings of cinema are linked to commemorations in China. While 1905 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the famous performer of the Beijing Opera, Tan Xinpei, the Director of the Fengtai House of Photography, Ren Qingtai, produced the precursor film of Chinese cinema. This technical trader in the central courtyard of the Maison de Photographie suspends a white cloth in the eyes of all: he records for Tan Xinpei the Peking Opera piece “Mount Dingjun”, thus the first Chinese film is released. From fmovies you can have the best choices.
The following twenty years accompanied the cinema people in their incessant attempts at the outset. In 1913, the brothers Li Minwei and Li Beihai set up a cinematography company in Hong Kong and boldly asserted themselves against tradition: they staged the first Chinese actress (previously the female roles were interpreted by male actors). Every day more people enter the film industry and film, of moving images, is gradually becoming a cultural product linked to the lives of the greatest number.
Vigorous development: 1949-1980
After the foundation of New China, Chinese cinema quickly spread under the Red Flag and entered a period of effervescence with the emergence of new genres, eminent masterpieces on the theme of war, historical films or reflections of daily life let us quote “Winds of the year Jiawu”, “Li Shuangshuang”, “Second month of spring”, “Xiao Hua”, “Laughing of sufferings”. In 1962, the “Hundred Flowers Medal” was organized according to the voting procedures.
In Hong Kong, Director Li Hanxiang promotes the Sounds Huangmei films as “The Beauty of Jiangshan”. Cape and sword films are also experiencing rapid development. Li Xiaolong alias Bruce Lee becomes the eminent representative of Gongfu films with works such as “The Jingwu gate” or “The fierce dragon crosses the river”.
In the 1960s, Taiwan experienced the wave of sentimental art films of which Chiung Yao was the representative. After the 1970s, directors like Yang Dechang alias Edward Yang, Hou Xiaoxian, Wang Tong reach maturity. it’s the time of “The Scarecrow”, “The second spring of Lao Mo”.
The appearance of light: 1931-1949
From the 1930s, Chinese cinema after a moment of adjustment entered its golden period – that of rapid development. In 1931, the first talking film “Red Peony Singer” was shown in Shanghai. In 1934, “The destiny of Tao and Li” included sound for the first time in the shooting.
Following its rapid expansion, the film industry sees its impact increasing. The position of the stars is increasing day by day, the frenzied admirers are born in force and the activities of all kinds in relation to the cinema multiply. In 1933 “The Journal of the Stars” launched “the election of the cinema empress”, the charms of Hu Die overshadowed all rivalry in a grand victory. At this time Shanghai becomes the center of expansion of Chinese cinema, exchanges with abroad are frequent. Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbank, Mary Pickford visit there.
In 1937 war broke out. Part of the world of cinema then went to Hong Kong where films in Cantonese were in vogue with the premises of Kungfu. As for the artists who remained in mainland China, they played an important role in promoting the War of Resistance. The famous documentary filmmaker Joris Ivens and the photographer Robert Capa shoot there “The 400 Million”, faithful testimony of the resistance struggle of the Chinese people. In 1940 He Zhiguang realizes on this theme “Light of East Asia”.