Curatorial proposal for 2026

2026 marks the birth anniversaries of two seminal Chinese filmmakers, Sang Hu and Fei Mu. At the China Film Archive, we see this as a valuable opportunity to explore potential collaborations—particularly in film programming and inter-archival initiatives—with fellow archives across the FIAF community.

We are pleased to share here our curatorial selection for 2026, which is available for screenings and archival loans.

In Honor of Sang Hu’s 110th Birthday

Labels

Titles

Restoration

Curatorial Notes

A

Unending Love

不了情(1947)

2K

A vivid portrait of 1940s urban China, written by Eileen Chang, it follows a governess torn between traditional ethics and modern love, with a subtle feminist sensibility.

B

Long Live the Missis!

太太万岁(1947)

Coming soon in 4K

From a distinctive female perspective, it depicts everyday family life, capturing both the hardships and warmth of ordinary people. Both accessible and refined, it’s a classic of Chinese urban comedy.

C

Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai

梁山伯与祝英台(1954)

2K

The first color opera film in the People’s Republic of China, it blends Yue opera with cinematic storytelling to bring the timeless Butterfly Lovers tale to life, and is often called China’s Romeo and Juliet.

D

Sorrows and Joys of a Middle-Aged Man

哀乐中年(1949 )

4K

With ideas ahead of its time, it uses a late-life romance to explore life’s questions with striking modern insight, and has been praised as “a near-perfect Chinese film in both content and craft.”

E

New Year Sacrifice

祝福(1956)

4K

The first color feature film of the People’s Republic of China and the most successful screen adaptation of a Lu Xun story, it stands as a landmark of Chinese literary cinema.

In Honor of Fei Mu’s 120th Birthday

Labels

Titles

Restoration

Curatorial Notes

F

Spring in a Small Town

小城之春(1948)

2K

Coming soon in 4K

A culmination of Fei Mu’s cinematic vision, it is seen as an art film closest to the spirit of Chinese aesthetics. Set in a ruined small town, it expresses quiet, unspoken emotions. Widely regarded as a forerunner of modern Chinese cinema, it is also considered one of its finest works.

G

Song of China

天伦(1935)

4K

The earliest surviving film by Fei Mu, it already shows his poetic visual style and humanist touch. Through the changing life of one family, it reflects the moral ideals long valued in Chinese culture.

H

Children of the World

世界儿女(1941)

Not

 restored

A landmark film from the “isolated island” period, with a screenplay by Fei Mu and directed by Austrian filmmakers, it tells a love story that expresses simple human compassion, blending deep humanism with the wartime spirit of national resistance.

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H

Email: luodesai@cfa.org.cn

Film Merchandise

Launched in 2024, “Gifts from China Film Archive” is our official film merchandise brand. Looking ahead, we plan to present an exhibition of classic film collectibles, offering a fresh perspective on world cinema through merchandise and cultural products enjoyed by audiences.

We are open to any projects or ideas for potential cooperation, please do not hesitate to contact us.