This film is part of Free
Unidentified Chinese Men (c.1900)
How did these Chinese gentlemen end up in a Blackburn basement?
Overview
How did these Chinese gentlemen end up in a Blackburn basement? There were many puzzles among the hundreds of rolls of Mitchell and Kenyon's films rediscovered in 1995, and this is perhaps the greatest. The subjects seem genuinely Chinese, but who filmed them, when and where? We're certain it wasn't shot by Mitchell and Kenyon. Is it China at all? Perhaps the cameraman's flying hat is a clue.
The architecture and grounds of the second building seem incongruously western, throwing doubt on the location, although western style buildings were far from unknown in early 20th century China. The film was shot on Lumière film stock, so it may be that Mitchell and Kenyon had bought, borrowed or acquired it to show along side their own. M&K certainly never visited China, but Lumière had several cameramen there from the late 1890s, which could make these some of the oldest surviving filmed images of China. If only we could be sure...
Related
Lizars, Edinburgh Lizars, Edinburgh
Comedy 1904 2 mins Silent Location: Edinburgh
Mitchell and Kenyon capture comedian Tom E. Murray at Lizars Theatre in Edinburgh on 12 December 1904.
Unidentified Trams and Walking Race (c.1902) Unidentified Trams and Walking Race (c.1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 1 mins Silent
Eager crowds watch the trams go by, while a boisterous children's walking race raises smiles all round.
Parade of Schoolchildren (c.1902) Parade of Schoolchildren (c.1902)
Non-Fiction 1903 2 mins Silent
Can you identify this street corner, or perhaps a young face in the parade?
Mitchell and Kenyon Fiction Offcuts Mitchell and Kenyon Fiction Offcuts
Drama 1902 0 mins Silent
Two tantalising fragments of Mitchell and Kenyon's fiction films - but what do they tell us?
Scene Outside a Factory (c.1902) Scene Outside a Factory (c.1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent
Men mill around the bustling yard of a large workplace, perhaps a brewery?
Textile Workers Leaving a Factory (c.1901) Textile Workers Leaving a Factory (c.1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent
An assortment of Edwardian workers, including many mischievous children who are far from camera-shy.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.