Magazine

Beijing, Evolution Of A City

Beijing, Evolution of a City

A City of Contrasts: Balancing Tradition and Modernity in Beijing Beijing, with its three thousand years of history, still represents an extraordinary center of attraction … Read more

Charting the Roamer’s Space---conceptual painting

Charting the Roamer’s Space

At the beginning of the century, setting out from different levels, fields, and points of departure, several young artists moved towards a common space for … Read more

A conversation with Jia Zhangke

A Conversation with Jia Zhangke

In 2001 in Beijing we interviewed a young Jia Zhangke.

In late 90s and early 00s most of the sixth generation of Chinese directors movies were forbidden in China. He is generally regarded as a leading figure of the “Sixth Generation” movement of Chinese cinema.

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People of Western China

People of Western China, 1940

1940 Documentary about Chengdu People (Sichuan).

An instructional movie produced by Erpi Classroom Films Inc.
In collaboration with O.J.CALDWELL Formerly of University of Nanking

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNXXgc47a-A[/embedyt]

Life and work of the people who live in Chengtu, located in a valley in western China.

Contents. The life and work of the people who live in a valley in western China.

Chengtu lies cradled between lofty chains of mountains. There are views of its ancient wall, its temples and tombs, and its streets.

Outside the city, the farmers cultivate their land as they have for centuries. An ancient irrigation system planned by Li Ping 2,000 years ago is still in use. The grain is made into flour in an old mill using water for power. Rice is hulled with apparatus ancient in design. The products of the farm are offered for sale in the markets of the city.

Following views of bamboo growing in a clump, the many uses of this product are indicated — the making of furniture, household utensils, rope, sedan chairs, bridges, etc.

Some of the ancient crafts of China are pictured. As a potter is shown at work, the commentator says that the potter’s wheels revolved during the classic dynasties of Tang and Sung and Ming. A silversmith works at his ancient trade. As silk weavers are shown, the commentator says that a legend claims that the Chinese have been weaving silk for over 4,000 years. Rich silk fabrics are displayed in the shops of the city. There are views of the mulberry trees on which the silkworms feed.

Modern science is changing the ancient ways of life. Modern electric power has brought with it the telephone, the electric light, and the motion picture projector. The Chinese farmer working in his fields sees modern automobiles and airplanes. Modern medical science replaces the herb doctor.

Appraisal. Good for (1) showing an ancient city located in western China, (2) indicating the agricultural practices of farmers in western China, and (3) showing the ancient handicrafts of that country. Should be useful in developing an appreciation of the antiquity of Chinese civilization and in indicating the influence of modern inventions on the Chinese way of life.

A sequence showing the many uses for bamboo suggests the ingenuity of the people in adopting an abundant native product to their needs. Although the film does not specifically mention the effect of the Japanese invasion, it can very well be used as background material for a study of that action.

Photography and sound are excellent.

Related articles: Red Chinese Battle Plan

Source

People of Western China---Documentary about Chengdu

Topics: China,documentary,documentary on old China,old China,chengdu,sichuan,old documentary,history of China

Chinese industrial revolution

Evolving of the Chinese Industrial Revolution

Extreme pollution conditions make China rethink its socio-economic political view.

Some thoughts on the topic by TestTube News. Air pollution has become a major issue in China, and poses a threat to Chinese public health. The immense growth of the People’s Republic of China since the 1980s has resulted in increased soil pollution.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDuVdvVdlM[/embedyt]

As China’s waste production increases, insufficient efforts to develop capable recycling systems have been attributed to a lack of environmental awareness. In 2011, China produced 2.3 million tons of electronic waste. In 1997, the World Bank issued a report targeting China’s policy towards industrial pollution. The report stated that “hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and incidents of serious respiratory illness have been caused by exposure to industrial air pollution. [Wikipedia]

Evolving of the Chinese Industrial Revolution

Topics: china, asia, china history, global warming, coal power progress, environment, industrial revolution, benefits of industrial revolution, china global power