This year marks the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema. From the first film “Dingjun Mountain” in 1905 to the recent success of “Ne Zha 2” topping global box office charts for animated films, Chinese cinema has come a long way, creating countless treasures. Let’s journey through ten groundbreaking “firsts” in Chinese film history that have left a lasting impact on the industry.
1. First Film Made in China: “Dingjun Mountain” (1905)
In the autumn of 1905, Ren Qingtai, owner of the Fengtai Photo Studio, collaborated with Peking Opera master Tan Xinpei to film several scenes from the opera “Dingjun Mountain“. The film premiered at the Daguanlou Theater in Beijing’s Qianmen District on December 28, 1905. This marked the birth of Chinese cinema.
2. First Film Screening in China: Youyicun Tea House (1896)
On August 11, 1896, the Youyicun Tea House at the Xuyuan Garden in Shanghai hosted China’s first film screening. Using a projector, they showed footage capturing everyday life and work, attracting numerous locals and signaling the introduction of cinema to China.
3. First Venue for Screening Chinese Movies: Daguanlou Theater
Located in Beijing’s historic Dashilar area, the Daguanlou Theater was built during the late Qing Dynasty. In 1905, it became the first venue to screen a Chinese film—”Dingjun Mountain“. It later transformed into a cinema, entertaining audiences from around the world.
4. First Professional Cinema in China: Shanghai Hongkew Cinema (1908)
In 1908, Spanish businessman Antonio Ramos established the Hongkew Cinema in Shanghai, the first specialized cinema in China. This led to a surge of cinemas opening in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, laying the groundwork for a national cinema industry.
5. China’s First Feature-Length Film: “Yan Ruisheng” (1921)
Produced and released in 1921, “Yan Ruisheng” was a 100-minute silent black-and-white film. Its release ended the Western monopoly on feature films in China and marked a new era in Chinese cinema development.
6. First Sound Film in China: “Sing-song Girl Red Peony” (1931)
Released in March 1931, “Sing-song Girl Red Peony” was a three-hour film portraying the life and love of a Peking Opera singer. It was an important milestone as it initiated the era of sound films in China.
7. China’s First Color Film: “A Wedding in the Dream”
Also known as “Happiness Neither in Life nor in Death“, this Peking Opera film was released in the late 1940s. Directed by renowned filmmaker Fei Mu and starring Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang, it was China’s first color film.
8. First Feature-Length Film After the Founding of the PRC: “The Bridge” (1949)
Produced by the Northeast Film Studio, “The Bridge” was a 90-minute film released in 1949. It told the story of factory workers repairing the Songhua River railway bridge, contributing to the victory of the Liberation War.
9. First Color Feature Film After the Founding of the PRC: “The New Year’s Sacrifice” (1956)
Adapted from a novel by literary master Lu Xun, “The New Year’s Sacrifice” was produced by the Beijing Film Studio in 1956. The 100-minute film reflected social contradictions after the 1911 Revolution through the tragic experiences of its protagonist.
10. First Wide-Screen Color Film in China: “The Adventure of a Magician” (1962)
Produced by the Shanghai Tianma Film Studio, this 47-minute film was primarily shot in Shanghai. It presented the city through the eyes of a magician returning from overseas, capturing real-life scenes and the essence of Shanghai in that era.
These ten pioneering moments not only highlight the milestones of Chinese cinema but also showcase its rich history and cultural significance. As we celebrate 120 years of cinematic achievements, we look forward to the future contributions of Chinese filmmakers to the global cinema landscape.
