1911 Revolution (2011)
This movie is about the Xinhai Revolution in China in 1911. It tells the story of the struggle to end the monarchy and establish the Republic in China under the leadership of Sun Yat Sen. It is an important film for those who want to learn about China and the Chinese Revolution. Jackie Chan also plays the lead role.
The Founding of a Republic (2009)
If you are interested in China and the Chinese Revolution, we highly recommend watching this movie. It is the most beautiful movie depicting the founding of the Socialist People’s Republic of China under the leadership of Mao Zedong.
Marco Polo (2014)
For history buffs, this is a two-season series about the experiences of Marco Polo, who traveled to China. The series depicts the Mongol Empire (Yuan Dynasty) that ruled China and Kublai Khan. The series covers the Mongols’ struggle with the Song Dynasty in China. Unfortunately, the series did not last long and ended prematurely.
The Last Emperor (1987)
This highly educational movie tells the life story of Puyi, who ascended the throne of the Qing dynasty at the age of three and became the last Chinese emperor. It is a three-and-a-half-hour-long movie depicting the period from Puyi’s ascension at age three until his death in 1967. The movie depicts his deposition from the Chinese empire, his subsequent refuge in Japan, the puppet Manchurian regime established by the Japanese, and his life in prison after returning to China. It also briefly covers the years Puyi lived as an ordinary citizen after his imprisonment, under the People’s Republic of China. Based on Puyi’s autobiography written by his English teacher and his work From Emperor to Citizen, the film sheds light on many unknown aspects of Puyi’s life.
Nanjing! Nanjing! (City of Life and Death) (2009)
The movie, which deals with the Japanese occupation of the Chinese capital Nanjing at the beginning of World War II, clearly shows the massacres committed by the Japanese in Nanjing. It shows very well what a nation without an army can experience. The movie tells how hundreds of women were raped, turned into sex slaves, and how civilians were massacred.
The Soong Sisters (1997)
This Hong Kong movie tells the story of the lives of the three most important female figures in China: Soong Ai-ling, Soong Mei-ling, and Soong Chi Ching-ling. The Soong sisters are very interesting figures in China. Daughters of a progressive and wealthy family in Shanghai, the Soong sisters were sent to the United States by their father to get an education. After completing their education and returning, the sisters married important political and economic figures in China. Soong Chi Ching-ling married Sun Yat-Sen, leader of the 1911 Chinese revolution and China’s first president. Soong Mei-ling married Chiang Kai-shek, head of the Guomindang party (Nationalist Party), Chinese dictator, and later president of Taiwan. Soong Ai-ling married a wealthy Chinese banker. The movie begins with the following statement about the three sisters: “One loved her country (Soong Chi Ching-ling), one loved power (Soong Mei-ling), and the other loved money (Soong Ai-ling).” Soong Chi Ching-ling is also known in China as Madam Sun Yat Sen. Madam Sun Yat Sen played an important role in the founding of the Communist Party of China and held important positions such as vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The movie can be watched with English subtitles. It is a must-see movie for those interested in China and the Chinese revolution.
Awakening Age (2021)
The Chinese Youth Wave is a Chinese-produced series depicting the May Fourth Movement of 1919 and the founding of the Communist Party of China. The series was produced to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
Three Kingdoms (2010)
Based on the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, one of China’s most famous classical novels, the TV series Three Kingdoms depicts the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the struggle between the Three Kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu. It is a long series consisting of 95 episodes, each approximately 45 minutes long.
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