On September 27, the special exhibition "A Grand Gesture - Hand-Painted Movie Posters to Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China," guided by the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles and co-hosted by the Shanghai Library, Shanghai Film Association, and Putuo District Archives, opened at the East Hall of the Shanghai Library.
This exhibition is part of the themed activities of the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as well as an important component of the sixth Shanghai Library Reading Season (2024-2025) National Day series. Through the lens of movie posters, it takes the audience on a historical journey of Chinese cinema, reflecting the gradual changes in the lives of the country and its people as seen through cinematic memories.
Exhibition Scene
Hand-painted movie posters have been present since the inception of the film industry as a promotional tool. These posters not only showcase masterful artistic skills but also house clever concepts that encapsulate the essence of the films. Coupled with the unique insights of cinema graphic designers, these artworks convey the narrative with brilliance. Since the founding of New China, numerous artists working on the front lines of film distribution have dedicated themselves to creating hand-painted posters, leaving behind many invaluable masterpieces that can be deemed "grand gestures" in Chinese cinema.
Exhibition Scene
This exhibition brings together 75 classic movie posters from various periods, arranged by the historical context of the film stories, creating a gallery that both carries historical footprints and is rich in artistic expression. Starting from "The Opium War," it includes films such as "The Dawn of the Chinese Communist Party," "The Red Detachment of Women," and "The Shining Red Star," which are set against the backdrop of the land reform movement; to "Railway Guerrillas," "Red Sorghum," and "Military Station No. 51," reflecting the War of Resistance; then to "Snowy Forest," "South North Battle," and "The Crossing Reconnaissance" from the Liberation War; alongside early liberation films like "Sentinel Under Neon Lights," "Heroes and Daughters," and those like "The Garland Under High Mountains" that are set during the Vietnam War; as well as films reflecting social life post-1949, such as "Today I Rest," "Li Shuangshuang," "Middle-aged," "Autumn Chrysanthemum Sues," "Stock Frenzy," and films shot in the new century like "Life and Death Choices," "Wolf Warrior," and "Operation Mekong." Wandering through these works, we can clearly trace the pulse of New China's cinema and feel the brilliance it once created.
At the opening ceremony, director Zheng Dasheng reminisced about the impact he experienced in his youth: "Even before entering the cinema, you could see a wall full of posters displayed on the street. Moreover, the same film had different posters in various cinemas, showcasing different types, styles, and highlighted moments, as every artist interprets and designs each film uniquely."
Behind each different poster lies the artist's distinct style. Some excel at color matching, others are adept at character portrayal, while others skillfully create unique light and shadow effects. Zheng Dasheng would often visit different theaters to admire the collective creativity of the artists, transforming the poster wall at cinema entrances into a gallery for film buffs: "The large posters outside cinemas are significant artistic creations by talented designers, reflecting the grand gestures of film creators as well. The 75-year journey of the Republic can also be seen as a grand gesture of its own. Therefore, we pay tribute to the filmmakers who have contributed to the development of New Chinese cinema over the past 75 years, and we dedicate this to the 75th birthday of the Republic."
During the opening ceremony, Li Shude, representing the hand-painted movie poster artists, introduced the process of creating hand-painted posters: "We go to theaters a few days in advance to watch the films, then return to our workstations to start creating. With brushes in hand, we meticulously outline and paint on large canvases, finally displaying them outside the theaters. This cycle repeats as new films are set to release." He emphasized that the posters are captivating and broad, drawing viewers into the cinema simply by being visible from across the street.
"Unlike the well-known roles like director or lead actor presented on the poster, we as graphic designers often remain anonymous. To the public, we may seem like ordinary workers, akin to plumbers. Our artwork may only hang on walls for a week before being replaced by new posters," Li Shude remarked about his work, noting that while it remains understated, he takes immense pride in it. "I consider us creators of beauty and artistic value. I have dedicated my career to poster creation until retirement, a commitment fueled by our love for film and art, a passion that has kept us devoted for decades. Although we are a small segment of the population, each weekly piece offers a beautiful experience to hundreds of eyes passing by. I believe our responsibility lies in serving the public."
Li Shude
Subsequently, Li Shude presented his hand-painted poster for the dance film "Eternal Waves" to the film's production company. To commemorate the exhibition’s opening, leaders and guests picked up brushes to add their unique touch to the large poster of "Eternal Waves," which was also donated to the Shanghai Library for permanent collection by co-creators Li Shude and Huang Rongguo.
Presentation Ceremony
"As digital media technology continues to evolve, hand-painted posters are fading into the river of history and are becoming rare," remarked Xu Yongjun, a researcher at the Putuo District Archives, as he spoke of the significance of hand-painted posters. "We look forward to Shanghai cinema recreating its glory. It is essential to produce outstanding films, directors, and artists, as well as remarkable movie posters and their creators. By adhering to a spirit of innovation, we can build Shanghai as a city of cinema and contribute to the high-quality development of films, aiding in the construction of a premier cultural ground for Xi Jinping's cultural thought, and ensuring that Chinese cinema reaches every household, establishing its place on the world stage."
This exhibition will run until October 20. During the exhibition period, the organizers will also host a themed forum to discuss the development path of classic Chinese films over the past 75 years, as well as "Observation + Salon" activities for young filmmakers to explore the stories behind movie posters and discuss innovative development paths for cinema in the new era.
