This film is part of Free
Snapshots of China: Shaoyang Hospital, Hunan
Rare insight into the health work of Methodist missionaries in rural Shaoyang, Hunan Province, South Central China.
Overview
This amateur film offers a fantastic insight into the work of Methodist missionaries living in Shaoyang, Hunan Province in the 1940s. As well as showcasing modern medical equipment and procedure, the film is rich with touching moments: worried-looking children queuing for vaccinations, smiling trainee nurses performing an operation, and cheery patients collecting their prescriptions.
This is one of six films known to have been shot by missionary doctor JG Pearson, who may well have been related to Dr George H Pearson, founder and manager of Shaoyang Hospital from 1920 to 1951. In the early 20th century, missionaries were often the only source of medical care in rural areas like Hunan. Their overriding contribution was to establish hospitals and provide medical training to local communities, as documented here.
Related
A Stilted City. Chungking. China A Stilted City. Chungking. China
Travelogue 1930 1 mins Silent Location: Chongqing
Life among the limpet-like buildings clinging to the steep banks of the Yangtze in southwest China.
Mongolia Mongolia
Amateur film 1935 42 mins Silent
Mongolian men show off their prowess in wrestling, archery and horse racing, known as the βthree manly gamesβ.
Homework and Street Scenes in China Homework and Street Scenes in China
Travelogue 1908 7 mins
Intimate vignettes of crafters, beggars and labourers in the workshops, on the streets and eating in the outdoor kitchens of imperial China.
Among the Tribes in South-West China Among the Tribes in South-West China
Documentary 1948 37 mins Silent
This alluring travelogue follows a missionary on his colourful journey into the ethnically diverse mountains of Yunnan, south west China.
Rice Cultivation in the Si-kiang Delta, South China Rice Cultivation in the Si-kiang Delta, South China
Documentary 1937 2 mins Silent
An exceptionally detailed look at the process of rice cultivation, from planting to harvesting to pounding, in the Xi Jiang Delta, Guangdong Province.
An Oriental Venice An Oriental Venice
Travelogue 1925 2 mins Silent Location: Hangzhou
Enjoy a cruise along the ancient canals of Zhejiang Province in eastern China with this gorgeous stencil-coloured travelogue
The Work of Evangelism in Hunan The Work of Evangelism in Hunan
Amateur film 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Shaoyang
Religious rites and Christian activism in South Central China, seen through the eyes of Methodist missionaries.
A Visit to Hunan A Visit to Hunan
Travelogue 1946 50 mins Silent Location: Shaoyang
This engaging film documents the journey of a doctor sent by the Methodist Missionary Society across land and sea to rural Hunan Province.
Travel Scenes in Hunan Travel Scenes in Hunan
Amateur film 1935 16 mins Silent Location: Shaoyang
Scenes in and around Shaoyang in South Central China are brought to life by mesmerising amateur photography.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace OvΓ© on Pressure Horace OvΓ© on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace OvΓ©'s masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace OvΓ©'s masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace OvΓ©: Reflecting the People β A Career Retrospective Horace OvΓ©: Reflecting the People β A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace OvΓ©, chaired by Samira Ahmed.