This film is part of Free
A Visit to Hunan
This engaging film documents the journey of a doctor sent by the Methodist Missionary Society across land and sea to rural Hunan Province.
Overview
A British doctor travels with his family across land and sea to work in rural Hunan Province. The scenes of his idyllic passage by luxury liner make a stark contrast to the basic conditions at his destination, where he records some interesting observations on local customs. The film documents the work of the Methodist Missionary Society hospital to provide both physical care and spiritual succour.
The Methodist Missionary Society was active in China from the mid-1800s, recruiting doctors to work at hospitals in rural provinces, like Hunan, where medical care was rarely available. These foreign doctors were largely welcomed by the local people, enabling them to convert some members of the community to Christianity. The overriding contribution of Methodist missionaries was the establishment of hospitals and clinics which both provided medical treatment and trained local medical workers, as seen here.
Related
A Stilted City. Chungking. China A Stilted City. Chungking. China
Travelogue 1930 1 mins Silent Location: Chongqing
Life among the limpet-like buildings clinging to the steep banks of the Yangtze in southwest China.
Mongolia Mongolia
Amateur film 1935 42 mins Silent
Mongolian men show off their prowess in wrestling, archery and horse racing, known as the “three manly games”.
Homework and Street Scenes in China Homework and Street Scenes in China
Travelogue 1908 7 mins
Intimate vignettes of crafters, beggars and labourers in the workshops, on the streets and eating in the outdoor kitchens of imperial China.
Among the Tribes in South-West China Among the Tribes in South-West China
Documentary 1948 37 mins Silent
This alluring travelogue follows a missionary on his colourful journey into the ethnically diverse mountains of Yunnan, south west China.
Rice Cultivation in the Si-kiang Delta, South China Rice Cultivation in the Si-kiang Delta, South China
Documentary 1937 2 mins Silent
An exceptionally detailed look at the process of rice cultivation, from planting to harvesting to pounding, in the Xi Jiang Delta, Guangdong Province.
An Oriental Venice An Oriental Venice
Travelogue 1925 2 mins Silent Location: Hangzhou
Enjoy a cruise along the ancient canals of Zhejiang Province in eastern China with this gorgeous stencil-coloured travelogue
The Work of Evangelism in Hunan The Work of Evangelism in Hunan
Amateur film 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Shaoyang
Religious rites and Christian activism in South Central China, seen through the eyes of Methodist missionaries.
Travel Scenes in Hunan Travel Scenes in Hunan
Amateur film 1935 16 mins Silent Location: Shaoyang
Scenes in and around Shaoyang in South Central China are brought to life by mesmerising amateur photography.
Snapshots of China: Shaoyang Hospital, Hunan Snapshots of China: Shaoyang Hospital, Hunan
Amateur film 1946 10 mins Silent Location: Shaoyang
Rare insight into the health work of Methodist missionaries in rural Shaoyang, Hunan Province, South Central China.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.