Chinese Film Generations

Motion Pictures were introduced to China in 1896.

The first Chinese film was a recording of the Beijing Opera made in November 1905.

During the 1920’s film technicians from the United States trained Chinese technicians in Shanghai.

The First Golden Age -the first truly important films were produced beginning in the 1930’s. The emphasis of these films was on class struggle and external threats like the Japanese aggression as well as life for the common people.

Street Angel (1967) fits in this category.

The Japanese invasion of China ended this golden era of Chinese film.

The Second Golden Age-started up in 1945.

Spring in a Small Town (1948) considered by critics to be one of the most important films in the history of Chinese cinema.

Communist Revolution -1949

Film industry was severely restricted. Most previously made films were banned.

The government saw film as an important tool for propaganda and sent filmmakers to Moscow to study Soviet filmmaking.

In 1956 Beijing Film Academy was opened.

Movie attendance increased sharply during 1949-59 time period.

However from 1967-1972 feature film production came practically to a standstill.

The end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976 brought the release of “scar dramas.”

Fourth Generation (Most scar dramas were made by members of the Fourth Generation whose own careers and lives had suffered during the Cultural Revolution.)These directors were trained in the Beijing Film Academy but were unable to make their first films because of the Cultural Revolution until they were in their 30’s.

Hibiscus Town (1986)

Fifth Generation mid-late 1980’s

Graduated from Beijing Film Academy in 1982—the first group since the Cultural Revolution

Chen Kaige’s Yellow Earth (1984)

Raise the Red Lantern (1991)

The Story of Qui Ju (1992)

Actress Gong Li became the Fifth Generation’s most recognizable star.

The Fifth Generation filmmakers reacted against the Cultural Revolution cinema. They explored local culture and the drama of ordinary peoples’ daily lives. Directors used a lot of color and long shots.

The Fifth Generation movement ended after the 1989 Tiananmen Incident. Many of the filmmakers went into self-imposed exile.

The Sixth Generation –post 1990- amateur and underground filmmakers due to censorship policies after Tiananmen Square and lack of state funding.

Focus on individualistic, anti-romantic life-view, contemporary urban life, dissatisfaction with China’s social problems.

Many are extremely low budget.

--Hollyspendlove 01:36, 19 April 2012 (UTC)