Beginning of the Great Revival

The Beginning of the Great Revival, also known as the Da Chang Feng Yun, is a 1947 Chinese film directed by Shi Dongshan and Shui Hua, based on a script by Xian Xinghai. This epic chronicle of the early days of Chinese communism recounts the pivotal events that laid the groundwork for the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. The film begins with a portrayal of a China plagued by poverty, inequality, and foreign domination in the early part of the 20th century. The protagonist, Zhou Fagui, portrayed by Xue Ju, a low-ranking clerk at a local court, is disillusioned with the existing social order. He starts to develop a Marxist ideology after discovering the works of Karl Marx, and soon finds himself disillusioned with the Chinese imperial order, which perpetuates the suffering of the masses. Meanwhile, in a coastal province, Li Dazhao, a young scholar, has also become disenchanted with the current state of China's society. He sees the devastating consequences of foreign intervention and internal strife, and recognizes that a fundamental transformation of China's socio-economic structure is necessary. When he meets with Zhou Fagui, the seeds for a revolutionary movement are sown. The film showcases the pivotal role of Li Dazhao and other radical intellectuals, including Chen Duxiu and Wang Jingzai, in laying the groundwork for the emergence of the Chinese Communist Party. As the country continues to sink into chaos, Li Dazhao finds himself increasingly radicalized, and soon he finds himself in the midst of an intellectual battle with his mentor, Hu Shi, a prominent figure in the nationalist movement. One of the key events depicted in the movie is the infamous 'May Fourth Movement', a nationwide student-led movement triggered by the May 4, 1919, protests against Japan's occupation of Shandong Province, following China's defeat in the First World War. In reality, this pivotal event brought together the radical left-wing intellectuals and students who played a pivotal role in shaping China's communist ideology. In the film, Li Dazhao plays a central role in orchestrating the student-led movement, galvanizing young minds to action. These events marked a significant milestone in the development of Chinese communism, as these young intellectuals started turning more decisively towards Marxism and the Soviet Union for ideas. Throughout the film, the director intercuts scenes depicting the struggles of peasants and workers, struggling to eke out an existence amidst exploitation and oppression. The narrative masterfully intertwines these vignettes of hardship and strife with the unfolding story of China's fledgling communist movement. The movie then shifts its focus to the early days of the Chinese Communist Party itself. Following a series of tumultuous events, including a dramatic confrontation between Li Dazhao and his rival, Chen Duxiu, over party control, the stage is set for the eventual showdown between the communist and nationalist ideologies. The Chinese Civil War, which raged from 1927 to 1950, was the culmination of a long-standing conflict between the two camps. As China teeters on the brink of collapse, the leaders of the Communist Party take drastic measures to solidify their control over rural China. The film's portrayal of these events remains sympathetic to the cause, though its tone occasionally shifts to an eerie and melancholic note, reflecting the tragic fate of many revolutionaries. Ultimately, the film charts the tumultuous rise to power of the Chinese Communist Party and sets the stage for the Great Leap Forward and the eventual founding of the People's Republic of China under Mao Zedong's leadership.