Feng Bao

“It was by chance that I first saw the film I yearned for, a new Chinese film that needed no apology or explanation, a fine film”, wrote Leyda in a diary-like chapter of his book “Dianying – An Account of Films and the Film Audience in China” (1972). He’s talking about FENG BAO, the dramatic depiction of a 1923 rail strike. Like many new Chinese productions of the time, the film was based on a successful play. Leyda criticized the oft-lazy reliance on theatre because he saw it as hindering the development of genuinely cinematographic forms of expression. The gripping film language FENG BAO was an all the more encouraging breakthrough for him as a result. Jin Shan was one of the few directors that Leyda was able to meet in person during his five years in Peking and he wrote about his work with the greatest of respect in “Dianying”. With an introduction by Fabian Tietke.

FENG BAO is made available as a digitally restored version by the China Film Archive.