Director: Titaÿna
Cinematographer: Robert Lugeon
Sound : Titaÿna
Music: Vincent Scotto
Song: Jean Lenoir
Cast.: Titaÿna, Robert Lugeon, Livanchou, Cora Madou
Production: Titaÿna, Compagnie Continentale Cinématographique
Year: 1932
35 mm, B & W, 76 min, French Version
The film was restored by the French Film Archives
In 1931, French journalist Titaÿna goes to China for her documentary about Yang Tse River, along with Robert Lugeon. She does sound recording, her companion is DOP with a minimum shooting material, and they join a caravan heading for Peking. Their caravan goes along the Great Wall. The two travelers visit Peking and linger on their way to the blue river, on which they spend a few days on a junk. Hanku city is deadly flooded and they are forced to join an escort vessel sent by France…
This documentary should definitely not be lseen as a cliché of the Chinese daily life of that time, but as a genuine report and vision of China at a particular time, under Western eyes. The film was restored by the French Film Archives as part of the program launched by the French Ministry of Culture for the maintenance of old heritage films.
