The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) begins its 10-day journey on June 14, and as the birthplace of Chinese cinema, Shanghai's film studios have contributed a lot to the city's film industry.
As China's first open trade port and the most prosperous city for industry and commerce, Shanghai provides a suitable environment for the development of film.
In 1913, China's first short film was produced in Shanghai. In 1921, China's first official film was born in Shanghai. From then on, the film industry developed rapidly in Shanghai and gradually formed the tradition and national style of Chinese films.
A good film studio not only makes movies but also records an era. The following are some remarkable film studios in Shanghai.
The building of Shanghai Film Group. /VCG Photo
Shanghai Film Studio
Shanghai Film Studio, one of the three major film studios in China, was founded on November 16, 1949. As the birthplace of the earliest Chinese film, Shanghai presents an excellent environment for the film industry.
By 1949, Shanghai had a significant amount of film production experience, talents and material. Accommodating the country's rapid economic development and the improvement of people's artistic aesthetics, Shanghai Film Studio ushered in its spring.
A still photo from "Hibiscus Town." /Douban.com Photo
The films "Dream of the Red Chamber" and "Hibiscus Town," which are emotionally driven, also set Shanghai Film Studio apart from other studios.
From 1950 to 1952, there were eight private film enterprises jointly established by the Shanghai United Film Studio. In February 1953, Shanghai Film Studio merged with Shanghai United Film Studio, and the new Shanghai Film Studio was further expanded.
Shanghai Animation Film Studio
Shanghai Animation Film Studio is the largest art film producer in China and one of the oldest animation studios in China. The studio has created a lot of animation films, such as "The Monkey King," "The Story of Ma Liang" and other popular works.
In 1960, Shanghai Animation Film Studio held art film exhibitions in six cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, which were welcomed by audiences and praised by state leaders. In 1962, it was exhibited in Hong Kong and warmly welcomed by Hong Kong and Macao compatriots.
Posters of "The Monkey King" (L) and "The Story of Ma Liang." /Douban.com Photo
Chinese art films enjoy a high reputation around the world. By the end of 1985, Shanghai Animation Film Studio had produced 275 fine arts films, 22 of which won 31 awards in China, and 29 won 45 awards abroad. The puppet movie "The Story of Ma Liang" and the ink cartoon "Where is Mama," both won five awards.
The poster of "Where is Mama." /Douban.com Photo
Shanghai Film Dubbing Studio
Shanghai Film Dubbing Studio, founded on April 1, 1957, is the only professional studio in China for dubbing foreign films and television. It is affiliated with Shanghai Film Group (SFG), formerly known as the translation group of Shanghai Film Studio, which was founded on November 16, 1949.
The posters of "Sissi." /Douban.com Photo
When the translation group of Shanghai Film Studio was established in 1949, it only had a few employees. However, the studio finished "How the Steel Was Tempered," "Notre Dame de Paris," "Jane Eyre," "Sissi" and a large number of other popular works. In total, 1,300 feature films were dubbed from 49 countries and regions.