Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Life in Shanghai
A Dragon procession, a Japanese beer festival, two duck shoots and a day at the races all feature in this remarkable film from 1930s Shanghai.
From the collection of:
Overview
Starting with scenes in Japan, this film relocates to Shanghai where expats can be seen socialising at a beer festival with members of the Japanese military. Next we see a duck shoot followed by dog racing and a dragon procession. Two cyclists dressed as aircraft bearing Chinese nationalist flags pass by before we see another duck shoot in progress somewhere in the waters surrounding Shanghai. The film ends at Shanghai's racecourse with the smokey city in the distance.
In 1934 it was normal for European and Japanese nationals to socialise in Shanghai, despite the ongoing conflict between China and Japan. At that time the Japanese were the largest foreign contingent living in the city - particularly in the International Settlement, which had been a wholly foreign controlled district since the 19th century. It even had its own independent force called the Shanghai Municipal Police and Richard Martin, who filmed these scenes, was a member. The International Settlement was considered neutral territory but the day after Pearl Harbour was attacked, Japanese forces occupied the entire city and sent most of Shanghai’s American and European residents to internment camps.
Related
Watch for free
Nankin Road, Shanghai Nankin Road, Shanghai
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Nanjing Lu (Nanking Road)
An extraordinary window on to the cosmopolitan heart of Shanghai - Nanjing Road - over a hundred years ago.
Watch for free
High Jinks High Jinks
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
All the fun of the fair: lovely, lively record of 'Shanghai's Coney Island'.
Watch for free
A City of Chaos A City of Chaos
Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Scenes of panic on the streets of Shanghai as Chinese citizens seek protection from Communist and Kuomintang violence behind Allied barricades.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
The Bradford Dyers Association's Offices in Shanghai and Messing About in the Courtyard The Bradford Dyers Association's Offices in Shanghai and Messing About in the Courtyard
Amateur film 1929 2 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Work and play definitely mix in this short film featuring the staff of the Bradford Dyers Association's Shanghai office.
Watch for free
A Chinese Boat Trip and Views of Shanghai A Chinese Boat Trip and Views of Shanghai
Amateur film 1934 9 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
The famous waterfront of 1930s Shanghai is the star of this tantalising film which captures the bustling street life of China's most cosmopolitain city.
Watch for free
21 Days in China - a British teacher's impressions 21 Days in China - a British teacher's impressions
Non-Fiction 1972 6 mins Location: Shanghai
"Education must be combined with productive labour", so says a Chinese slogan. Western cameras are special guests to capture 70s school days - eastern style!
Watch for free
Shanghai c.1932 Shanghai c.1932
Amateur film 1932 46 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Join the Eng family on the long journey by ship from Europe to Shanghai, China
Watch for free
A Visit to Fuzhou with the Bradford Dyers Association and Shanghai Views A Visit to Fuzhou with the Bradford Dyers Association and Shanghai Views
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
The bustling waterways of rural Fouzhou contrast sharply with the frenetic pace of life in Shanghai, as seen in this atmospheric film from the late 1920s.
Watch for free
At Home in Shanghai and a Trip to Hong Kong At Home in Shanghai and a Trip to Hong Kong
Amateur film 1928 4 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Chinese junks and British battleships appear together in this film depicting the 1928 Armistice Day in Hong Kong.
Watch for free
Outward Bound through the Suez Canal and on to Shanghai Outward Bound through the Suez Canal and on to Shanghai
Amateur film 1938 10 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Travel in luxury on the 'slow boat to China' in this remarkable film from 1938, passing through the Suez Canal to Hong Kong, Shanghai and beyond.
Watch for free
Parades and air-raids in Shanghai Parades and air-raids in Shanghai
Amateur film 1937 17 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
While the bombs fall on Shanghai its foreign expats continue to play, as this unique film shows. But it's only the lull before the storm - because the Japanese are on their way.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Watch for free
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Watch for free
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Watch for free
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.