Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free

A Visit to Fuzhou with the Bradford Dyers Association and Shanghai Views
The bustling waterways of rural Fouzhou contrast sharply with the frenetic pace of life in Shanghai, as seen in this atmospheric film from the late 1920s.
From the collection of:

Overview
This amazing film starts by showing an assortment of traditional Chinese vessels, from large junks to small boats laden with goods for sale. Cruising along the river other boats get caught in our wake. Then we see street-scenes of Shanghai including mischievous children and a woman carrying a giant pot before seeing some magnificent views of the Bund. We also see exteriors of the BDA's Shanghai office where an employee is seen packing a traditional silk hat into a box.
William Simpson, who made this film, worked for the Bradford Dyers Association in Shanghai, at Number 1, The Bund. The BDA was first registered on the 3rd December 1989 and its purpose was to acquire the business of various firms in Bradford and Yorkshire who were engaged in the piece dyeing trade. After almost a century of acquisitions, the BDA were themselves bought out by Viyella in 1964. It is not clear when the BDA's Shanghai office was opened but it is known that they were exporting silks, cottons and woollens, dyed in Bradford, all over the world. By the time the Japanese Imperial Army occupied Shanghai in late 1937, William and his wife Charlotte had already left the city.
Related

Nankin Road, Shanghai Nankin Road, Shanghai
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Nanjing Lu (Nanking Road)
An extraordinary window on to the cosmopolitan heart of Shanghai - Nanjing Road - over a hundred years ago.

High Jinks High Jinks
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
All the fun of the fair: lovely, lively record of 'Shanghai's Coney Island'.

A City of Chaos A City of Chaos
Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Scenes of panic on the streets of Shanghai as Chinese citizens seek protection from Communist and Kuomintang violence behind Allied barricades.

Riverside Scenes China Riverside Scenes China
Amateur film 1922 2 mins Silent Location: Bund
Four exquisite panoramic views of the Bund in Shanghai show life on the Huangpu River.

The Bradford Dyers Association's Offices in Shanghai and Messing About in the Courtyard The Bradford Dyers Association's Offices in Shanghai and Messing About in the Courtyard
Amateur film 1929 2 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Work and play definitely mix in this short film featuring the staff of the Bradford Dyers Association's Shanghai office.

A Chinese Boat Trip and Views of Shanghai A Chinese Boat Trip and Views of Shanghai
Amateur film 1934 9 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
The famous waterfront of 1930s Shanghai is the star of this tantalising film which captures the bustling street life of China's most cosmopolitain city.

21 Days in China - a British teacher's impressions 21 Days in China - a British teacher's impressions
Non-Fiction 1972 6 mins Location: Shanghai
"Education must be combined with productive labour", so says a Chinese slogan. Western cameras are special guests to capture 70s school days - eastern style!

Shanghai c.1932 Shanghai c.1932
Amateur film 1932 46 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Join the Eng family on the long journey by ship from Europe to Shanghai, China

Life in Shanghai Life in Shanghai
Amateur film 1933 17 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
A Dragon procession, a Japanese beer festival, two duck shoots and a day at the races all feature in this remarkable film from 1930s Shanghai.

At Home in Shanghai and a Trip to Hong Kong At Home in Shanghai and a Trip to Hong Kong
Amateur film 1928 4 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Chinese junks and British battleships appear together in this film depicting the 1928 Armistice Day in Hong Kong.

Outward Bound through the Suez Canal and on to Shanghai Outward Bound through the Suez Canal and on to Shanghai
Amateur film 1938 10 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Travel in luxury on the 'slow boat to China' in this remarkable film from 1938, passing through the Suez Canal to Hong Kong, Shanghai and beyond.

Colonial Wedding Colonial Wedding
Amateur film 1930 2 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Cloche-hatted wedding guests, armed with confetti, lie in wait for the newly weds as they exit from a Shanghai church while their limousine gets the treatment.

Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.

We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.

If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.

Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.

Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.

NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.