Traditional Chinese culture is finding a wider audience on the big screen, as a nationwide documentary program showcasing intangible cultural heritage has drawn more than 24,000 viewers since its launch in July, with screenings held in 36 cities across China.
Titled "New Voices of Intangible Heritage, Diverse Expressions of Chinese Trends", the program is sponsored by the National Film Development Fund and organized by China Central Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio (Group). It has staged nearly 500 screenings at cinemas, museums, schools, community venues and other locations in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou in Guangdong province and Chengdu in Sichuan province.
Using documentaries to bring traditional crafts and cultural practices to the screen, the program aims to help audiences better understand the stories and skills behind China's intangible cultural heritage while creating new opportunities for documentary filmmaking.
In Suzhou, Jiangsu province, organizers have linked film tickets to discounts and other benefits at local businesses, cultural heritage workshops and tourist attractions. The initiative connects moviegoing with shopping and cultural tourism, encouraging visitors to explore the city beyond the theater.
In Lanzhou, Gansu province, screenings have been accompanied by demonstrations of traditional crafts, including filigree enamel work, paper-cutting, clay sculpture and traditional opera makeup. Local practitioners recognized as inheritors of intangible cultural heritage have demonstrated their skills, giving audiences an opportunity to experience the crafts firsthand.
The program has also brought filmmakers and audiences together for post-screening discussions in cities including Beijing and Jinan, Shandong province.
At a screening of the documentary A Great Master Recaptured at Shanghai University, audiences discussed the contrast between the original footage, shot 20 years ago, and its recent 4K restoration. Director Ye Jing said the film drew on a wealth of historical images to revisit the life of the late Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang.
In Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, a screening of The Magical Craftsmanship of Suzhou was paired with a lecture on traditional craftsmanship. Some viewers said the experience helped them better appreciate the dedication behind skills such as wood carving, Suzhou embroidery and jade carving.
Organizers say the program will continue touring the country, using documentary films and audience engagement activities to bring traditional culture closer to the public.
