The evolution of these two legendary yet still-vibrant Chinese cities will be traced in a film series being offered at Yale this fall. Spanning 60 years of Chinese cinema, the 10 films in the series illuminate the complex nature of the cities in which they are set as well as the struggles of those who have lived in them. Following each film, the audience is invited to a discussion session in Rm. 2 of William L. Harkness Hall. The screenings and discussion groups are free and open to the public.
Shanghai is the focus of the first five films.
This portrait of life in Shanghai in 1944 centers around three friends who try to better their lives. This 1947 film, directed by Shen Fu, depicts a family's struggle for survival. The story traces the fortunes of a Nationalist bureaucrat and landlord trying to escape Shanghai before the arrival of the Communist troops. This series is sponsored by the Council on East Asian Studies, the Whitney Humanities Center, the Yale-China Association and the Yale Film Study Center.