Mingxing Film Company
Encyclopedia
Mingxing Film Company was one of the largest Chinese production companies
during the 1920s, and 1930s in Shanghai
and Hong Kong
. The company lasted from 1922 until 1937 when it was closed permanently by the Second Sino-Japanese War
.
, and Zhou Jiayun, Mingxing emerged along with Dazhonghua Baihe Film Company, and Tianyi Film Company as one of the three dominant film studios of the 1920s. During this period, all three studios were known for producing "light" entertainment though even at this early time there was a sign of social criticism, inherited from the May 4th Movement.http://asiapacifictriennial.com/cinema/hong_kong,_shanghai_cinema_cities/amorous
The film company struggled in its first few years with comic shorts like 1922's Laborer's Love
. In 1923, the company produced Orphan Rescues Grandfather which became a commercial success and with it Mingxing's fortunes were assured.
By the early 1930s, Mingxing had become the leading film studio in China, and dominated the market with its upstart rival, the Lianhua Film Company
(which had co-opted Dazhonghua Baihe) as a close second. Tianyi also continued to produce films throughout the 1930s, though its output did not match the two leaders. By the mid-1930s, both Mingxing and Lianhua became major production houses for leftist films in Shanghai. With the death of co-founder Zheng Zhengqiu in 1934, and the advent of full-scale war in 1937, Mingxing was forced to close its doors permanently.
Elements of the Mingxing operation would be resurrected by Zhang Shichuan in 1938 as the Guohao Film Company.
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
during the 1920s, and 1930s in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The company lasted from 1922 until 1937 when it was closed permanently by the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
.
History
Founded in 1922 by Zhang Shichuan, Zheng ZhengqiuZheng Zhengqiu
Zheng Zhengqiu was a Chinese filmmaker and is often considered one of the "founding fathers" of the Cinema of China.-Biography:...
, and Zhou Jiayun, Mingxing emerged along with Dazhonghua Baihe Film Company, and Tianyi Film Company as one of the three dominant film studios of the 1920s. During this period, all three studios were known for producing "light" entertainment though even at this early time there was a sign of social criticism, inherited from the May 4th Movement.http://asiapacifictriennial.com/cinema/hong_kong,_shanghai_cinema_cities/amorous
The film company struggled in its first few years with comic shorts like 1922's Laborer's Love
Laborer's Love
Laborer's Love is a 1922 short film produced in China. It is also known as Romance of a Fruit Peddler . It constitutes the earliest complete film from China's early cinematic history that survives today...
. In 1923, the company produced Orphan Rescues Grandfather which became a commercial success and with it Mingxing's fortunes were assured.
By the early 1930s, Mingxing had become the leading film studio in China, and dominated the market with its upstart rival, the Lianhua Film Company
Lianhua Film Company
The Lianhua Film Company was one of two major production companies based in Shanghai, China during the 1930s, the other being the Mingxing Film Company.-Names:...
(which had co-opted Dazhonghua Baihe) as a close second. Tianyi also continued to produce films throughout the 1930s, though its output did not match the two leaders. By the mid-1930s, both Mingxing and Lianhua became major production houses for leftist films in Shanghai. With the death of co-founder Zheng Zhengqiu in 1934, and the advent of full-scale war in 1937, Mingxing was forced to close its doors permanently.
Elements of the Mingxing operation would be resurrected by Zhang Shichuan in 1938 as the Guohao Film Company.
Notable films
- Laborer's LoveLaborer's LoveLaborer's Love is a 1922 short film produced in China. It is also known as Romance of a Fruit Peddler . It constitutes the earliest complete film from China's early cinematic history that survives today...
(1922) (Dir. Zhang Shichuan) - The Burning of the Red Lotus TempleThe Burning of the Red Lotus TempleThe Burning of the Red Lotus Temple is a Chinese silent film serial directed by Zhang Shichuan. The film, adapted from the novel The Tale of the Extraordinary Swordsman, focuses on the rescue of a commander held captive in a temple full of traps....
(1928) (Dir Zhang Shichuan) - Spring SilkwormsSpring Silkworms (film)Spring Silkworms is a 1933 silent film from China. It was directed by Cheng Bugao and was adapted by Cai Chusheng and Xia Yan from the novella of the same name by Chinese author Mao Dun....
(1933) (Dir. Cheng Bugao) - Wild Torrents (1933) (Dir. Cheng Bugao)
- The Boatman's Daughter (1935) (Dir. Shen XilingShen XilingShen Xiling was a Chinese film director.- Partial filmography :- External links :...
) - CrossroadsCrossroads (1937 film)Crossroads is a 1937 Chinese seriocomedy film directed by Shen Xiling and starring Bai Yang and Zhao Dan. The film exemplified the growing trend of Chinese films by the mid-1930s of incorporating references to the war with Japan...
(1937) (Dir. Shen Xiling) - Street AngelStreet Angel (1937 film)Street Angel is a Chinese film released in 1937. The film was directed by Yuan Muzhi and stars the popular singer Zhou Xuan.-Synopsis:The film deals with two sisters, Xiao Hong and Xiao Yun who have fled from the war in Northeast China to Shanghai, where they are living under the brutal thumb of...
(1937) (Dir. Yuan Muzhi)
See also
- Cinema of Hong KongCinema of Hong KongThe cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
- Cinema of ChinaCinema of ChinaThe Chinese-language cinema has three distinct historical threads: Cinema of Hong Kong, Cinema of China, and Cinema of Taiwan. Since 1949 the cinema of mainland China has operated under restrictions imposed by the Communist Party of China's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television and...
- Lianhua Film CompanyLianhua Film CompanyThe Lianhua Film Company was one of two major production companies based in Shanghai, China during the 1930s, the other being the Mingxing Film Company.-Names:...
- List of Chinese production companies (pre-PRC)