On November 30, the "Instant Release: Shanghai Film's 75th Anniversary Honorary Screening" large film exhibition, guided by the Shanghai Municipal Film Bureau and hosted by Shanghai Film (Group) Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Film Studio Co., Ltd., wrapped up successfully in Shanghai. Meanwhile, the national tour of the exhibition will kick off in December in Beijing, Chengdu, Guiyang, and Guangzhou.
This exhibition set records in terms of screening titles, number of showings, attendance rates, tour cities, and academic scale, making it the largest in the history of Shanghai Film exhibitions. The films showcased span various historical phases of Shanghai Film's 75-year history, carefully selected from thousands produced by the Shanghai Film Studio, Shanghai Film Dubbing Studio, Shanghai Film Art Studio, Shanghai Science and Education Film Studio, among others. Ultimately, 31 representative works were presented in a grand scale of 54 screenings. Additionally, the Shanghai Film Museum and Shanghai Film Archive organized ten professional pre-screenings and post-show discussions, allowing audiences to gain deeper insights into the films and learn about the often-overlooked stories behind the scenes.
The three major keywords for this nearly month-long event were "rare," "comprehensive," and "blockbuster." From well-known traditional feature films, animated films, and documentaries to rarely seen educational, dubbed, and opera films on the big screen; from classic hits with new scores to 2K and even 4K restorations; from legendary works by renowned directors to new projects by today's up-and-coming talents... each "great film" provided viewers with an extraordinary experience while showcasing excellent cinema’s renewed charm through modern technology. A total of 31 sessions were fully booked, attracting over ten thousand viewers, highlighting the immense appeal of "Shanghai Film" among the audience.
The passage of time might change many things, but our original intentions remain unchanged. As a key promoter of the history of Chinese cinema, Shanghai Film Studio has navigated through 75 years of history, producing countless masterpieces and leaving a rich legacy known as "Shanghai Film Memory" in cinematic history. This exhibition represents not just a focused showcase of Shanghai Film productions, but a heartfelt reunion of old friends. Between the shadows and light reflected on the big screen, we were able to look back at those timeless moments, reliving the warm memories shared between the audience and Shanghai Film. Many viewers expressed, "I grew up watching Shanghai Film productions!" Just as films encapsulate beautiful and exciting moments, the warm moments during the exhibition were also captured and witnessed, resonating deeply with the audience.
A Grand Gathering of Film Talent, Interactive and Engaging
This exhibition served as a grand assembly for filmmakers, with many proactively volunteering to engage with the audience at the screening site. Director Gao Xiang of "Penguin Emperor," who is nearly 90 and a renowned director and cinematographer from the Shanghai Science Education Film Studio, saw the exhibition's announcement on social media and immediately offered to host a discussion for the audience. Gao Xiang has visited Antarctica three times, shooting numerous films about the region, earning him the title "Heroic Photographer of Antarctica." Wu Yigong's son, director Wu Tiange, upon learning that his father's iconic film "Old Stories of the South City" would be screened on the last day, adjusted his flight plans to return from the United States early to participate in the pre-screening discussion, sharing cherished anecdotes about his father from behind and in front of the camera.
The exhibition of dubbed films at the Shanghai Film Museum turned into an enthusiastic gathering for fans. Whether it was "Zorro" star Tong Zirong or Sun Yufeng, who has directed hundreds of dubbed films, both were surrounded by fans eager for autographs on their beloved collections of books, posters, and postcards related to dubbed films, sharing their affection and nostalgic stories connected to these works...
Chasing Dreams Through Film, Reliving Touching Moments
This film exhibition was also a journey through time, allowing audiences to revisit beautiful memories from the past. "The first time I watched 'Sister Stages', I was just a kid, and back then, the films weren’t so high-definition. This restoration is really well done!" One elderly viewer was discussing with a companion after the only 4K restored film of the exhibition, 'Sister Stages.' Another older audience member reflected, "I brought my daughter here today to watch 'The Crow and the Sparrow' in the Shanghai dialect. I think this version suits both our generations; it feels both old and new. Each time I watch Shanghai Film's classic films, there's a particular warmth in the visuals that feels very real and familiar. That warmth is the charm of Shanghai Film."
A similar situation occurred at the screening of 'The Lotus Lantern' where the film's director, Chang Guangxi, now over eighty, came to engage with the audience. He looked at the crowd and emotionally remarked, "Today I see many viewers who are born in the 80s and 90s. You might have watched 'The Lotus Lantern' when it premiered in 1999. I'm really delighted that you all came back and brought your children with you."
Vibrantly Moving Forward, Sustaining the Legacy of Cinema
This exhibition also allowed young viewers to find relatable imagery from their own generation. A young film professional emotionally commented after watching 'Life-and-Death Decisions': "The film was so good! This is the eleventh film I've seen at this exhibition, and as I immerse myself in the films, I find my understanding of Shanghai Film deepening gradually. This exhibition is truly a wonderful learning opportunity for us young people who did not experience the early years of Shanghai Film directly."
After watching 'Shanghai Legends', a young viewer expressed that seeing images of the streets of Shanghai from over a decade ago brought vivid memories of his high school days flooding back. "Shanghai Legends made me perceive this city more profoundly. I never knew documentaries could convey so much humanity!" On the last day of the exhibition, November 30, a touching moment occurred as a grandfather and granddaughter exited a screening of 'Old Stories of the South City.' The grandfather asked the child, "Do you know how many times the beautiful song 'Farewell' appeared in the movie?" The child shook their head, and the grandfather smiled, replying, "Five times." At that moment, the film transcended time and space, preserving the essence of truth, goodness, and beauty within viewers from different generations and experiences.
From state-controlled distribution to market reforms, from the era of celluloid to the digital age, both the older generation of filmmakers and the new wave of creators have upheld the principle of "creating for the people" over the past seventy-five years. They have produced numerous exemplary works that tell compelling Chinese stories. The cinematic celebration for the 75th anniversary stands as a testament to the past while also marking the beginning of a new journey. After 75 years, Shanghai Film's original intention remains unchanged, and it is certain that in the future, Shanghai Film will continue to offer new masterpieces, achievements, and explorations, contributing to a new era!