This film is part of Free
China Today
An epic amateur travelogue of eastern China on the cusp of Japanese invasion, filmed by British writer Lady Dorothea Hosie.
Travelogue 1936 58 mins Silent
Overview
This breathtaking amateur travelogue was shot by British writer Lady Dorothea Hosie while researching her book Brave New China (1938). Beginning at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou, the film takes us on an epic journey along China's east coast, taking in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Tianjin and Ningbo, and venturing inland to Sichuan Province, near the Tibetan border.
Few Britons knew more of China in the 1930s than Lady Hosie, who was born in the country to missionary parents, and later married a member of the British consulate there. Her film is incredible for its sheer length and ambitious scope - an hour's footage is highly unusual for an amateur production of the time - but equally so for its many intimate portraits of Chinese friends, their families, and people she meets along the way.
Related
Beijing - Northern Capital
Modern China Modern China
Non-Fiction 1910 8 mins Silent Location: Beijing
Extraordinary and exquisite views of life and landscape in Beijing during the late Qing dynasty.
Peking and Its Surroundings Peking and Its Surroundings
Travelogue 1910 6 mins Location: Qinglongqiao
The austere beauty of the Great Wall of China's rugged mountain passes, in a travelogue tracing a caravan of camels' journey to Beijing.
Beijing - Coal Hill Street Scenes and the Forbidden City Beijing - Coal Hill Street Scenes and the Forbidden City
Amateur film 1938 15 mins Silent Location: Beijing
This delightful colour film features Beijing's Forbidden City, the Summer and Winter palaces as well as parks, processions, a drama school and a Chinese picnic.
Visit to Beijing and the Forbidden City Visit to Beijing and the Forbidden City
Amateur film 1929 2 mins Silent Location: Beijing
Beijing's Forbidden City is the star attraction in this film from the late 1920s, featuring historic buildings, the Lion's Gate and an early panorama across the city.
My Oriental Friends, From Penang to Peking My Oriental Friends, From Penang to Peking
Amateur film 1923 16 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This unique and beautiful tour of Southeast Asia and China is a treasure trove of picturesque views of Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.
Summer Palace Beijing and Tsientsin Summer Palace Beijing and Tsientsin
Amateur film 1929 3 mins Silent Location: Beijing
Dancing bears and camels feature in views of Beijing's Summer Palace in the late 1920s filmed by an expat couple who are later seen enjoying a traditional Chinese meal.
Guangzhou
Trip to Guandong aboard the Lion steamer with friends Trip to Guandong aboard the Lion steamer with friends
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent Location: Guangzhou
We’re all aboard the steamer Lion, cruising towards the bustling city of Guanzhou. We also see Chinese workers in traditional headgear toiling in the scorching countryside.
Shanghai: Water Transport Shanghai: Water Transport
Travelogue 1933 2 mins Silent Location: Guangzhou
A beautifully photographed trip back to the Shanghai of the 1930s, with views of the Bund's busy harbourside.
Riverside Scenes China Riverside Scenes China
Amateur film 1922 2 mins Silent Location: Bund
Four exquisite panoramic views of the Bund in Shanghai show life on the Huangpu River.
A Visit to Canton A Visit to Canton
Amateur film 1936 13 mins Silent Location: Guangzhou
A lively film showing the bustle of street and river traffic in Zhongshan, birthplace of China’s first president and founding father of the Republic.
The Bombing of Canton The Bombing of Canton
Documentary 1938 9 mins Location: Guangzhou
Harrowing footage of death and destruction in the aftermath of sustained Japanese bombing of the southern Chinese city.
New
Khwaaish Khwaaish
Drama 2018 7 mins
Khwaaish or 'Desire' is an Indian short film that glimpses into the life of one man’s longing to find a same-sex companion, in a city that refuses to accept LGBTQIA+ people.
Chariot Riders Chariot Riders
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2015 5 mins
Beautifully animated short film about a boy's feelings of love for another boy – his best friend.
Sisak Sisak
Romance 2017 15 mins
A first-of-its-kind silent LGBTQ short film set in India, Sisak makes waves before the visuals of this film hit the shore.
Maacher Jhol - The Fish Curry Maacher Jhol - The Fish Curry
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2017 12 mins
Lalit decides to come out to his parents at dinner. Seeking acceptance, he cooks his father’s favourite fish curry.
Little Elephant Little Elephant
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2015 5 mins
A British Indian woman and her father discuss their opposing views on family and sexuality in this beautifully moving, visually striking 2D animated short film.
Wajood Wajood
Romance 2017 12 mins
A young trans woman embarks on a poignant quest for love after falling for a rickshaw driver.