Film Industry in China

The Chinese cinema, imported from Western, has had a great success in the country since the first moving picture was exhibited in 1896.

In the early 20th century a dynamic film industry grew in the east of China. Shanghai was the highlight during this period. In mid-20th century, when the People’s Republic reached the government, film was used as a way of the regime’s propaganda and almost all independent productions was censored.

In recent times, the modern policy of the Communist government has permitted the production of new films; some of them with great quality have received honors from foreign audiences and have won international film festivals. Today, there are an increasing number of Chinese productions with international participation, including from Taiwan and United States.

During its development, the film industry of China has produced great movies like "Spring River Flows East" or "Farewell My Concubine", directors like Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, actress like Ruan Lingyu and Gong Li, and actors like Bruce Lee and Jet Li.

Hong Kong also has developed a huge cinematographic industry (one was the third film industry of the world, just after United States and India), but it’s oriented mostly to the entertainment.

The Shanghai Studios
After six years of the exhibition of the first motion pictures in Shanghai, was shot the first Chinese attempt of filmmaking named "Conquering Jun Mountain"...

The Communist era
The Communist victory in 1949 produced a significant change in the film industry. The first order was curtail the foreign films including Kong Kong’s productions...

Modern times
The Fifth Generation of Chinese directors from the Beijing Film Academy appeared in mid-1980s with a subversive style...

Chinese actors and actresses
Notable actors and actresses have emerged in the Chinese film industry during its history and have achieved international recognition...