From Silent Films to Talkies: Re-discovering Moon Kwan Man-ching

Research output: Contribution to conferenceConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

Moon Kwan Man-ching can be said to be a legendary figure in film history. Originally hailing from Guangdong Province, he studied in the US and brought back western filmmaking experience to China. He had a life well-lived. During WWI, the US saw an influx of European filmmakers seeking refuge, who later played a crucial role in the establishment of the big studios and film companies in Hollywood. In that time, Kwan participated in the filming of Broken Blossoms aka The Yellow Man and the Girl (1919), witnessed the birth of talkies, and gained firsthand experience of American-style film business operations. He helped introducing film production equipment to Asia and assisted local innovators Lai Man-wai and Joseph Sunn in building the foundations of their film businesses. Combing through old periodicals and newspapers, this paper seeks to retrace Kwan's footsteps and to reconstruct the fascinating story of his life. His story is a reflection of many significant developments in film history.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jan 2021
EventSymposium: ‘From Silent to Sound — Hong Kong Films of the 1930s and 1940s', Hong Kong Film Archive - , Hong Kong
Duration: 9 Jan 202110 Jan 2021
https://www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en_US/web/hkfa/20a-symposium.html

Symposium

SymposiumSymposium: ‘From Silent to Sound — Hong Kong Films of the 1930s and 1940s', Hong Kong Film Archive
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
Period9/01/2110/01/21
Internet address

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