A Century of Chinese Film Selection (Volumes 1-4, 8 Books)

Author: Chen Jingliang, edited by Zou Jianwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: "A Century of Chinese Cinema: A Selection" picks nearly a thousand outstanding works from the vast library of over 6,800 films produced in the century of Chinese cinema. The selected films include not only those recognized as classics but also representative works from different historical periods, regions, and styles. Each film is introduced in three columns: "Synopsis," "Background and Reviews," and "Characters in the Film." The reviews are not exhaustive but highlight the background of each film, allowing readers to "read history through films" in an accessible and engaging way, dynamically presenting a century of cinema. Since the contributors are all professionals in the film industry, with some being seasoned experts in film history, the descriptions of the films are both accurate and approachable.
To facilitate research and appreciation of films, this book emphasizes its reference and documentary value. In addition to the conventional items such as the production year, production unit, and list of key creators for each film, it also includes a chronicle of major events in Chinese cinema over the century, a comprehensive index of Chinese cinema, and a directory of awards won by Chinese cinema both domestically and internationally. The series also features over a thousand exquisite stills, photographs of generations of national leaders and filmmakers over the past century, and images of the activities of film professionals across the decades.
The compilation of "A Century of Chinese Cinema: A Selection" took two years and was the result of the collective effort of dozens of film professionals, experts, and researchers from institutions such as the Film Archive of China, the State Administration of Film Industry, China Film Group Corporation, and the China Film. It particularly uncovered and filled gaps in the records of early Chinese cinema and post-1995 Chinese cinema, making it the first comprehensive written archive of a century of Chinese cinema, a visual journey through the history of Chinese cinema, and an encyclopedic guide to Chinese cinema.