The Battle of Shanghai

The Battle of Shanghai records the Japanese invasion of Shanghai on August 13, 1937. Lai and his corps of Lianhua cameramen risked their lives to record events from that fateful day, including gruesome scenes of civilian casualties at the railway station, and the campaign by the entertainment community for resistance. The footage was rediscovered in 1995, and donated to the Hong Kong Film Archive by Mr Lai Shek.

Scenes of Yan'an (aka On the Northwest Line)

Scenes of Yan'an (aka On the Northwest Line ) is the first film in which Hong Kong film makers were authorised to shoot in the headquarters of the Chinese Communists. The crew from Hong Kong entered Yan'an via Hankou and Xi'an with assistance from the Hankou Eighth Route Army. They recorded scenes of Mao Zedong and Zhu De commanding and training troops in Yan'an. The film also covered the life of people in Lu Xun Art Academy and Shanbei Public School. Despite being a short film, this is an important record of Yan'an as the capital of the Communist Revolution. It also reflects the patriotism of Lam Tsong, Tsui Tincheong and Jin Kun, who were part of the young production crew. The film was not screened publicly in Hong Kong until June 1941. This film was donated to the Hong Kong Film Archive by Ms Dolores Wang, daughter of the deceased Mr Wang Man-chi, who once risked his life to preserve it.

* D Beta versions only showing in Hong Kong Film Archive, DVD will be shown in the other two venues.

The contents of the programme do not represent the views of the presenter. The presenter reserves the right to change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.