The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
21 Days in China - a British teacher's impressions
"Education must be combined with productive labour", so says a Chinese slogan. Western cameras are special guests to capture 70s school days - eastern style!
From the collection of:
Overview
A film crew secured special access to Eastern China in 1972 to see for themselves the impact of the Cultural Revolution and highlight the changing world of Communist China. This visit, possibly by a teacher, gave westerners a rare insight into children's schools and education as they observed classes and daily lives for a new generation of young pupils in a Commune near Shanghai and a primary school in Nanjing including the effect of acupuncture carried out on deaf children.
This film was probably filmed as part of a broadcast documentary as it came to the archive from the ITV Anglia collection marked as 'Red China' filmed by 'a lady from Cambridge' - the narrator? That is all we know. Perhaps this access was granted as part of a wider agenda to ensure life in China was witnessed by a wider audience as 1972 also marked a very significant event in world history. U.S. President Richard Nixon's visit to the People's Republic of China was seen as an important step in normalising relations. During his week long visit, Nixon was summoned to meet with an ailing-Mao Tse-Tung (Zedong) - his visit was said to mark a significant break in the 22 years of Cold War tension between the two countries.
Related
Watch for free
Chinese characters in British film (Q&A) Chinese characters in British film (Q&A)
Inside Film 2014 3 mins
BFI Curator Dylan Cave, filmmaker/novelist Xiaolu Guo (She, a Chinese) and screenwriter Selina Lim (Painkiller) introduce the ‘Chinese Britain on Film’ collection.
Currently unavailable
China Town China Town
Magazine and Review show 1981 24 mins Location: Liverpool
One of the top TV stars of 1981: David Yip, aka the Chinese Detective, discovers the hidden history of Liverpool's Chinatown.
Currently unavailable
Nancy Kuo Nancy Kuo
Magazine and Review show 1985 9 mins Location: Camden Town
Composition is the key as Nancy Kuo guides us through the strength and grace of her art in her Camden Town studio.
Watch for free
East Sixteen East Sixteen
Documentary 1959 10 mins Location: Limehouse
Stylishly realised portrait of Chinese priest Peter Kao, who offers a Christian welcome to sailors from his homeland.
Currently unavailable
Chinese Community Chinese Community
Magazine and Review show 1985 8 mins Location: Sparkbrook
Labour, Tory or Alliance - where does the political allegiance of the West Midlands Chinese community lie?
Watch for free
From HK to MK From HK to MK
Short documentary 2017 10 mins
A mixed race son visits his Chinese father in Milton Keynes.
Watch for free
Shanghai c.1932 Shanghai c.1932
Amateur film 1932 46 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Join the Eng family on the long journey by ship from Europe to Shanghai, China
Watch for free
A Visit to Fuzhou with the Bradford Dyers Association and Shanghai Views A Visit to Fuzhou with the Bradford Dyers Association and Shanghai Views
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
The bustling waterways of rural Fouzhou contrast sharply with the frenetic pace of life in Shanghai, as seen in this atmospheric film from the late 1920s.
Watch for free
Life in Shanghai Life in Shanghai
Amateur film 1933 17 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
A Dragon procession, a Japanese beer festival, two duck shoots and a day at the races all feature in this remarkable film from 1930s Shanghai.
Watch for free
At Home in Shanghai and a Trip to Hong Kong At Home in Shanghai and a Trip to Hong Kong
Amateur film 1928 4 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Chinese junks and British battleships appear together in this film depicting the 1928 Armistice Day in Hong Kong.
Watch for free
Outward Bound through the Suez Canal and on to Shanghai Outward Bound through the Suez Canal and on to Shanghai
Amateur film 1938 10 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Travel in luxury on the 'slow boat to China' in this remarkable film from 1938, passing through the Suez Canal to Hong Kong, Shanghai and beyond.
Watch for free
Colonial Wedding Colonial Wedding
Amateur film 1930 2 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Cloche-hatted wedding guests, armed with confetti, lie in wait for the newly weds as they exit from a Shanghai church while their limousine gets the treatment.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.