This film is part of Free

Hong Kong c.1938
The daily grind for Hong Kong dockers and farmers, captured by an amateur filmmaker.
Amateur film 1938 17 mins Silent
Overview
This beautiful amateur film records the daily rhythms of Hong Kong's harbour. Aside from the boys playing jacks and men dozing in baskets, everyone is busy working: bare-footed dockers loading and unloading, boys winching goods in unison and tiny tots fishing. At a rural location, farmers gather straw in a scene surprisingly reminiscent of Humphrey Jennings' English Harvest, shot the same year.
Among the boats visible in the harbour are the Japanese merchant ship Kuronime Maru, and the RMS Empress of Asia which had recently evacuated refugees from Shanghai during the Japanese invasion. The filmmaker A. J. Hall shot several other films of 1930s Hong Kong including footage of George VI's coronation celebrations, a dragon boat race, the aftermath of the Great Hong Kong Typhoon of 1937, and rice cultivation in the New Territories.
Subjects
Related
Hong Kong - Fragrant Harbour

Kung Hei Fat Choy - A Happy New Year Kung Hei Fat Choy - A Happy New Year
Amateur film 1937 12 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Excitement fills the air as Hong Kong steps out to party.

A Gate of China A Gate of China
Documentary 1927 9 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Staggering views of 1920s Hong Kong capture the contradictory cocktail of East meets West on this outpost island.

Hong Kong East Meets West Hong Kong East Meets West
Documentary 1940 24 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This intimate study of Hong Kong explores the life and landscape of the former British colony in exquisite detail.

Dragon Boat Racing Hong Kong c.1937 Dragon Boat Racing Hong Kong c.1937
Amateur film 1937 5 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Get close to the action with this high-octane footage of a traditional Chinese water sport.

Coronation Hong Kong 1937 Coronation Hong Kong 1937
Amateur film 1937 10 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Street carnivals and military processions – a home movie record of Hong Kong’s celebrations as George VI is crowned.

Rice Cultivation New Territories 1938/9 Rice Cultivation New Territories 1938/9
Amateur film 1938 10 mins Silent Location: New Territories
A study of Chinese peasant labour in the paddy fields of the New Territories, north of Hong Kong Island.
Hong Kong

Shantou, China c.1932 Shantou, China c.1932
Amateur film 1932 0 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Home-movie snapshots of life and work in Shantou in Guangdong Province, South China.

Cine Snapshots - 1937 Cine Snapshots - 1937
Amateur film 1937 32 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Vivid views of pre-war Hong Kong.

Scenes in 1920s Hong Kong Scenes in 1920s Hong Kong
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
A fascinating film about expat life in Hong Kong; featuring amazing views of open countryside, a steeplechase and frolics on the beach at Repulse Bay.

Hong Kong East Meets West Hong Kong East Meets West
Documentary 1940 24 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This intimate study of Hong Kong explores the life and landscape of the former British colony in exquisite detail.

Dragon Boat Racing Hong Kong c.1937 Dragon Boat Racing Hong Kong c.1937
Amateur film 1937 5 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Get close to the action with this high-octane footage of a traditional Chinese water sport.

Typhoon Hong Kong September 1937 Typhoon Hong Kong September 1937
Amateur film 1937 8 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Poignant amateur footage records the aftermath of one of the worst typhoons in Hong Kong's history.
New

Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Richard Curtis - A Love Actually Special Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Richard Curtis - A Love Actually Special
Discussion programme 2020 38 mins
This festive season, Mark Kermode takes a deep dive into his favourite ever Christmas movie, Love Actually, with writer and director, Richard Curtis..

The Brilliant Biograph The Brilliant Biograph
Anthology 2020 52 mins Silent
Immerse yourself in an enchanting compilation of newly-restored rare images from the first years of filmmaking.

Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Kathleen Turner, Henry Blake and Julien Temple Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Kathleen Turner, Henry Blake and Julien Temple
Discussion programme 2020 30 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Kathleen Turner, Henry Blake and Julien Temple.

Mark Kermode Online in 3D with Meera Syal, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Proops and more Mark Kermode Online in 3D with Meera Syal, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Proops and more
Discussion programme 2020 65 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Meera Syal, Ben Roberts, and more!

Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Riz Ahmed, Aleem Khan, Joanna Scanlan, Tricia Tuttle and Ben Wheatley Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Riz Ahmed, Aleem Khan, Joanna Scanlan, Tricia Tuttle and Ben Wheatley
Discussion programme 2020 45 mins
Mark takes a look back at the 2020 BFI London Film Festival, speaking to Festival Director Tricia Tuttle about the challenges of this year and chatting to the creators of two of the Festival’s most talked about titles: Mogul Mowgli and After Love.

Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Morfydd Clark, Rose Glass, Segun Akinola and Be Manzini Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Morfydd Clark, Rose Glass, Segun Akinola and Be Manzini
Discussion programme 2020 56 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Morfydd Clark, Shola Amoo, Be Manzini, and more!