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3 Hidaka Noboru. Motion Picture Industry in Manchoukuo, Manchuria (December 25, 1939), pp ,

4 Motion Picture Industry In Manchoukuo By NOBORU HIDAKA ALL enterprises relating to production and distribution of moving pictures in this country are now most systematically and efficiently controlled by the Manchoukuo Motion Picture Corporation. The Company was incorporated on August 21, 1937, with a capital of M 5,000,000 subscribed and M 2,500,000 paid up as at the end of Capital contributors are the Government of Manchoukuo and the South Manchuria Railway Company and the date of settlement is December 31, each year. Important members of the Corporation's staff at present are Mr. Masahiko Amakasu, Chairman; Mr. Kenzo Hayashi, Managing Director; Mr. Kanichi Negishi, Director; Mr. Katsuo Furuyama, Director; Mr. Yao Jen, Director; Mr. Masuzo Nakagawa, Auditor; and Mr. En Lin, Auditor.

5 New head office and studio of the Manchoukuo Motion Picture Corporation, the construction of which was completed in November, 1939 With the construction of its new office building, together with a movie studio, on a site covering an area of 50,000 tsubo, having been completed in November this year, the Corporation is now located at 602, Hunghsi Ta-chieh, Hsinking. Incidentally, it is claimed that the new studio is the largest and most up-to-date of the kind in the Far East. Historically speaking, the need for a definite national policy regarding motion pictures had been keenly felt by the authorities concerned ever since the birth of the New Empire, and great efforts had been made towards its realization. The Manchuria Motion Picture Law, promulgated by Imperial Ordinance No. 248 on August 14, 1937, was the outcome of this movement. In October of the same year, the Motion Picture Law and the Detailed Regulations for enforcement of the Motion Picture Law were also effected, and by the enactment of these three laws the national policy of Manchoukuo regarding motion pictures was definitely established, with the Manchoukuo Motion Picture Corporation as its executive organ. The object of the Corporation is to control the exportation, importation and distribution of motion picture films and to carry on various enterprises relating to the production of educational, cultural and entertainment films, with a view to contributing to the exaltation of the national spirit and to the promotion of national education. Enterprises which are now being undertaken by the Corporation are as follows: 1. Production of motion picture films; 2. Exportation and importation of motion picture films; 3. Distribution of motion picture films; 4. Conduct of business concomitant to the foregoing three items.

6 The Corporation has its branches at the.following places: Tokyo Mantetsu Building, Aoi-cho, Akasaka-ku. Peking Chincheng Bank Building, Wang-fu-thing Ta-chieh. Dairen Totaku Building, No. 2, Yamagata-dori As regards the production of films, the deterioration in quality of Chinese films, added to their decrease in their volume, made the independent activities of the Corporation in this field more urgent than ever. Accordingly, the Corporation, while endeavoring to promote efficiency in production by securing the services of a number of experts, has been doing its utmost in the training of 'student' actors and actresses whom it has enlisted. Thus, by the end of November, 1939, the Corporation had completed some eighteen photoplays and more than fifty cultural films, to say nothing of news reels. In the distribution of films, the Company had to encounter no small amount of difficulty, partly due to the recentness of the enforcement of control and partly to the short supply of Chinese pictures. After making a page 1617 great effort in the guidance and development of movie houses as well as in the rationalization of distribution, however, the Corporation has scored a mercurial success in increasing the number of cinemas throughout the country, Thus, during the period between August, 1937, when the Corporation was first established, to the close of 1938, the movie halls operated by the Japanese increased from fifty-three to seventy-seven and those run by Manchus from thirty-three to fifty-six. Subsequent on the completion of its new head office and studio, the Corporation has already started production of films in a more ambitious and efficient manner than ever, making it quite logical to anticipate a still greater advancement in this line of its activity. Indications are that the future of the Corporation is full of promise. Below will be outlined the principal enterprises to which the Corporation has devoted its main efforts: (a) Opening up of New Markets for Its Films in North and Central China In view of the object of its establishment, the Corporation, immediately following its incorporation, laid out plans for effecting a monistic control of motion picture films both in Manchoukuo and China. With the development of the China Incident, the necessity of realizing these plans has become more urgent than ever. In January, 1938, therefore, the Corporation established its branch office at Peking under the name of the Hsinmin Motion Picture Corporation. (now reorganized as The North China Motion Picture Corporation ) and has since been endeavoring to ensure a smooth distribution of films in North China. In the meantime, military operations steadily developed; the maintenance of order in the occupied areas became increasingly secure; the pacification campaign was conducted more actively than ever, giving stimulus to the peace move among the

7 populace, and furthermore, the newly established Government began to function in its proper way, making great strides towards the consolidation of the basis of the regime. Under the circumstances, all factors combined to make film control in China one of the most urgent problems of the hour, and led to the unanimous agreement of all those interested, to charge the Corporation with the task of developing the motion picture industry in North and Central China. Accordingly, the Corporation, after conducting thorough investigations in consultation with the authorities of Japan, Manchoukuo and those on the spot since 1938, decided to immediately establish a new film company in North China, and also one in Central China at a date not much later. As a result, the projected North China Motion Picture Corporation was brought into being in the early part of (b) Production of Photoplays Photoplays so far produced and already distributed in this country by the Corporation are as follows: OUR VILLAGE HEROES With Wang Fu-chun and Cheng Hsiao-chun This film was produced by request of the Manchoukuo Department of Public Peace primarily for the purpose of encouraging the Join-the-Army movement in this Country. BIRTH OF MOVIE STARS By way of introducing to the public a batch of movie stars turned out by the M.M.P.C.'s training institute, this picture was produced with 'fatty' Ho Chi-jen and Chang Min in leading roles. CHI-CHIAO-TU With Liu En-chia and Chi Yen-fen The story deals with a quadrangular love affair involving a young unemployed architect, a millionaire's daughter, a laundry employee, and the laundry owner's daughter, which after many complications ends in happy union of both couples. WAN-LI-HSUN MU (TRAVELLING AFTER MOTHER) With Wang Tan and Yeh Ling This is a Manchurian version of the French novel entitled "Wandering Child Without Home. TA-LU-CHANG-KANG (OUR LAND OF FORTUNE) With Cheng Hsiao-chun, Chi Yen-fen and Wang Fu-chun

8 How a fair and disinterested police system replacing the former evils and corruptions in police administration was set up in the country after the inception of Manchoukuo is dramatically elucidated in this picture. CHIH-HSIN-CHU (TRUE TO YOU FOREVER) With Tu Chuan and Li Ho This is a popular melodrama with a 'sentimental' plot in which a young playboy and a taxi-dancer start a new life after going through all sorts of mishaps and disappointments. HONEYMOON EXPRESS With Li Hsiang-lan and Tu Han-hsing A series of comic episodes are enacted aboard the super express "Asia" carrying a newlywedded couple who are headed for a honeymoon trip to Peking from Hsinking. SONG OF GENGHIS KHAN (HSING-MENG-PIAO-CHI) With Wang Fu-chun, Wang Li-chun and Sui Yin-pu Racial rehabilitation of Inner Mongolia is forcefully described in this screen play. TIEN-YUAN-CHUN-KANG (SPRING SUNSHINE IN THE COUNTRY) With Li Ho, Tsui Te-hou and Chang Min Peaceful, bucolic scenes in the country are beautifully photographed and they are highly impressive even though they merely constitute the setting of the story. KUO-FA-WU-SSU (FAIR AND JUST IS THE NATIONAL LAW) With Kuo Shao-i, Li Ming and Chang Min That judgment must be impartial is the theme of this play. page 1618 YUAN-HUN-FU-CHOU (THE GHOST TAKES HIS REVENGE) With Li Hsiang-lan, Liu En-chia and Chang Shu-ta In this story Liu, the ghost, wreaks his vengeance upon his murderer through the help of his own daughter and two coolies. TIEH-HSIEH-HUI-HSIN (FIGHTING POLICEMEN) With Sui Yin-fu, Li Hsiang-Ian and Yao Lu This picture intends to show Manchu police officers' constant efforts directed towards the stamping out of unlawful elements in the State Capital. GOOD MOTHER (TZ-MU-LEI) With Li Ming and Chang Min

9 In this typical melodrama, Li Ming, popular movie star from Peking, plays the part of a young mother who sacrifices herself for the benefit of her beloved child. CHEN-CHIA-TZU-MEI (FOSTER-SISTERS) With Chen Hsiao-chun and Li Ming This is the Manchurian adaptation of the popular Japanese novel of the same title written by Yuho Kikuchi. TUNG-YU-CHI (LOAFING AROUND IN TOKYO) With Li Hsiang-lan, Liu En-chia and Chang Shu-ta The story evolves around a comic situation of two Manchu 'hoboes' loafing around in Tokyo and falling in love with a charming typist of the Manchurian parentage. YEN-KUEI (POOR OPIUM ADDICTS!) With Chi Yen-fen, Chao Yu-pei and Ma Hsu-I In line with the national anti-opium drive, this film was produced with the special support of the Kirin Provincial Office. The miserable lot of a Manchu businessman who has fallen victim to dope-taking is narrated with startling realism. (c) Production of Cultural Films Ever since its establishment, the Corporation has made a great effort in the production of educational and cultural films with the following objects in mind: 1. To play an important role in the enlightenment of general masses in this country through educational films. 2. To encourage and promote racial harmony among the five races inhabiting Manchoukuo through short feature films dealing with current topics. 3. To provide primary schools in the country with a series of so-called 'school education' pictures. 4. To inculcate on the masses in this country national policies of the Government. As a matter of fact, an endeavor has already been made to popularize the Wangtao rule or benevolent administration among the people living along the frontier districts through the medium of interesting films depicting the Government's activity. 5. To bolster the so-called spiritual mobilization campaign and other patriotic movements which have been launched by the Government and the Manchoukuo Concordia Association. 6. To take the lead in the nation-wide anti-comintern campaign. 7. To produce documentary films which deal with National affairs and bear upon national policies.

10 8. To send select films abroad in accordance With agreements relative to the exchange of cultural films between Manchoukuo and Italy and between Manchoukuo and Germany respectively. 9. To introduce abroad various phases of industrial and economic development in this country now being conducted on a large scale according to the Government; five-year industrial program. 10. To distribute 'goodwill' pictures in those areas already occupied by the Japanese military in China These films are to be shown among the Chinese masses, most frequently free of charge, as a part of Japanese pacification program. 11. To show abroad real conditions in Manchoukuo In this case, an effort will he made to show how within so short a period of seven years the Empire of Manchoukuo, as an independent State in the Far East, has attained a great progress in many ways. 12. To encourage tourist activity both at home and abroad. 13. To cooperate with political and cultural bodies in the country. 14. To encourage the domestic use of cultural films with a view to holding in check the influx from Shanghai and other places of anti-manchoukuo pictures. The Corporation has so far turned out more than forty cultural films and these have already been distributed all over the country. By way of showing how extensively the production of cultural films along with news reels has been carried out by the Corporation for the last few years despite all the difficulties which were brought about by the present armed conflict between Japan and the Chiang Kai-shek's regime, a complete list of cultural films already produced and released by the same Company is given as follows: BRIGHTER NORTH CHINA Severe engagements between the Japanese and Chinese forces around Peking and at Chang-hsin-tien in the present China Incident along with peaceful scenes in the "brightened-up" North China after the establishment of peace and order following the Japanese occupation are interestingly photographed. CHINA INCIDENT SERIES Immediately following the outbreak of the China Incident, the Corporation, though it was still in its infancy, lost no time in despatching several news reels corps to various parts of North China to cover the war front. HSIEH-HO YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION Daily life in a young men's training camp of the Manchoukuo Concordia Association is described in detail. ANSHAN Operations of the Showa Steel Works at Anshan are reviewed.

11 GROWING CAPITAL OF MANCHOUKUO This film was produced in commemoration of the completion of the first five-year capital construction plan in An interesting contrast is made between Hsinking remodelled and refitted as a metropolis and Changchun as it existed before the Manchurian Incident. page 1619 AGRICULTURE IN MANCHOUKUO Various phases of Manchoukuo as a farming country faithfully depicted along with the activity of so-called farmers associations scattered throughout the country. GOLD MINING IN NORTH MANCHURIA The gold mining industry at Taheiho and vicinity, near the Soviet border, is photographed. RISING MANCHURIA This film shows the new life which people in this country are enjoying since the foundation of the Manchoukuo Empire. MONGOLIAN NATIONAL MASS MEETING The birth of the Suiyuan Government in the early part of the present China Incident is recorded. FIGHTING KWANTUNG ARMY In this film are faithfully recorded military operations of a certain unit of the Imperial Japanese Kwantung Army in the Chahar sector including Kalgan. Pataling, Yenmenkwan, Tatung and Fengchen at the beginning of the Sino-Japanese hostilities. FERTILE PLAINS OF MANCHURIA The rural aspect of the country as cultivated by Manchu farmers is filmed. STATE HIGHWAYS IN NORTH MANCHURIA With a view to improving facilities of communications, great pains have been taken by the authorities of the Manchoukuo Government in the construction of State Highways in the interior part of this country. This film is designed to show the rapid progress being made in road construction in North Manchuria. ANTI-AIRCRAFT MANEUVERS IN HSINKING

12 Extensive air defence maneuvers which took place in Hsinking a few years ago are carefully recorded. This film is primarily aimed at encouraging the people's interest in air defence preparations. NATIONAL MASS MEETING A national spiritual mobilization rally which was held in the capital a few years ago is recorded. CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION FESTIVAL The city-wide festival commemorating the completion of the first five-year capital construction program is photographed. WAR REJOICINGS A mass meeting which was held in the capital by way of celebrating the sweeping victories of the Japanese forces in North China is recorded. NIPPON AND MANCHOUKUO Emphasizing friendly relations between Japan and Manchoukuo. this film intends to clarify the sginificance of the total abolition of Japanese extraterritorial rights in this country and explain the true meaning attached to what we call the indivisibility of the two nations. FORESTRY IN MANCHURIA Lumbering at Tunghua, Wuchang, and other woodlands popularly known as "virgin forests in Manchuria" is illustrated. JAPANESE IMMIGRANTS IN WINTER The daily life of Japanese settlers in the winter time at the Semburi and lyasaka colonies is interestingly shown in this film. STATE FUNERAL OF THE LATE PREMIER CHENG HSIAO-HSU Proceedings of the state funeral of the late Premier Cheng hisiao-hsu which took place at Tatung Park, Hsinking, on April 19 29, 1938, and the subsequent burial ceremony which was held a few days later in the outskirts of Mukden are photographed. SPRINGTIME IN CHINA Peaceful scenes in North China after the Japanese occupation in the present China Incident are artistically filmed. COTTON CULTIVATION IN NORTH CHINA

13 A large scale plantation of cotton in North China is depicted. YELLOW RIVER This is an interesting travelogue dealing with the Yellow River and the contiguous territory. HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION IN NORTH CHINA In accordance with an industrial development plan in North China, an endeavor has been made in road construction by the local authorities. This film shows some of the newlybuilt highways in North China. DON'T FORGET THE TUNGCHOW MASSACRE This film was produced as a memoir of the notorious Tungchow Incident in which a number of Japanese residents were brutally butchered by the revolting Paoantui in the East Hopei area. BRIGHTER PEKING Scenic attractions and architectural masterpieces in Peking, the ancient capital of China, which were not impaired at all by the China Affair, are beautifully photographed. IMMIGRANT WOODCUTTERS This is a faithful record of the life of immigrants who are engaged in deforestation as pioneers in the interior part of the country. HEAVY INDUSTRY AT TANGSHAN Rising industrial enterprises at Tangshan are introduced. SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MANCHURIAN INCIDENT By way of commemorating the seventh anniversary of the Manchurian Incident which had paved the way for the birth of Manchoukuo, this film was produced with a certain dramatic element in it. Incidentally, Japanese players appear for the first time in this picture. EXPRESS DELIVERY MAIL This picture shows how speedily express mail matter is delivered throughout the country under a well-organized postal system. MATCHES

14 Beginning with lumbering in 'Manchuria's virgin for- page 1620 ests' such as Tunghua and Wuchang, and transport of timber by rafts, this educational film shows in detail the technical process of the match manufacturing industry. SALT INDUSTRY IN MANCHOUKUO The salt industry in this country centering around Chinchow, Yingkou and Suichung is reviewed. NATURAL RESOURCES IN TUNGPIENTAO Rich natural resources in the Eastern Frontier district of Tungpientao now being developed by the Tungpientao Development Company, a special company affiliated with the Manchuria Industrial Development Corporation, are introduced. INSURANCE BUSINESS IN MANCHOUKUO This picture was produced for the purpose of encouraging the post office insurance business in this country. ARBOR DAY The Arbor Day observances in the State Capital this year are recorded. FISHING THROUGH ICE Fishing in the winter time in Talai Hsien is photographed. MENACE OF BLAZING FIRE The fire brigades' activity in the city of Mukden is filmed. AEROPLANE TRIP IN MANCHOUKUO A honeymoon trip of a young Manchu couple through Manchoukuo by air is the topic of this 'tourist' picture. COLONI7.ATION IN MANCHURIA AND MONGOLIA This picture shows the life of a number of Japanese young men's and boys' corps settled in various parts of the country under the guidance of the Manchura Colonization Company. ITALO-MANCHOUKUO FRIENDSHIP

15 The visit to Manchoukuo of the Italian Fascist Mission headed by Marquis Paulucci di Calbori Barone is recorded. The Italian version of this film was presented to the Italian Government by the Manchoukuo Goodwill Mission which visited Rome last August. COAL AND IRON Various phases of 'heavy industries' in Manchoukuo including steel manufacture at Anshan and coal mining at Fushun are introduced. IMMIGRANT WOODCUTTERS AT FARMING The rich autumn harvest of agricultural products at Linkou and Sanpenkou where immigrant woodcutters are settled is photographed. NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE MANCHOUKUO CONCORDIA ASSOCIATION Proceedings of the National Congress of the Manchoukuo Concordia Association in 1938 are recorded. MANCHOUKUO NATIONAL DEFENCE LADIES' ASSOCIATION Activities of members of the Manchoukuo NationalDefence Ladies' Association in the present extraordinary times are introduced. RETURN OF THE HSINGAN ARMY The return to the Capital of the Kanchuerh Detachment which was engaged in the mopping-up operations of Red bandits in the Chitung sector is photographed. KIRIN DAM The gigantic dam now under construction at Kirin is filmed. The completion of this dam is expected to mark an epoch in the hydro-electric industry in Manchoukuo. (d) Importation and Distribution of German Films and Exchange of Films with the Luce of Italy. Consequent upon the conclusion of a trade agreement between Manchoukuo and Germany, the Corporation has imported quite a number of films from German moving picture companies. The Corporation has also concluded a contract with the Luce of Italy for the exchange of cultural films and news reels produced by each contracting party. Already several pictures have been exchanged since 1938.

16 (e) Mutual Adoption of News Reels by Japan and Manchoukuo. In view of the importance of news reels, the Corporation, joining hands first with the Manchoukuo News Agency, and then with the Domei News Agency of Japan at the end of 1938, is now positively effecting the mutual adoption of news reels by joint production with the Domei Agency not only for exhibition in Japan and Manchoukuo. but also in other parts of the world. To be more concrete, arrangements have been made between the two concerns whereby news reels made by the Domei will be exhibited in Manchoukuo not as Dornei News but as the product of the Manchoukuo Motion Picture Corporation, while in Japan and elsewhere the Manchuokuo Motion Picture Corporation's films will be exhibited not as such but under the name of the Domei Agency. (f) Popularization of 16-Millimetre Pictures. In. a country like Manchoukuo, which embraces geographically so extensive an area, it is of paramount importance, from the viewpoint of national policy, to utilize the agency of moving pictures in spreading education, elevating the people's sentiment and in providing means of healthy recreation. For this reason and also out of consideration of expense and equipment, the Government of Manchoukuo has decided to popularize and promote the use of small-sized motion pictures. Moreover, many of the Special Companies in Manchoukuo are undertaking to install small-sized movie projectors for the welfare of their employees. In order to meet this situation, the Corporation has decided to start its own branch business to supply instruments, films and other articles required for the taking and projecting of 16- millimetre pictures, and in view of the inadequacy in supply of films of this size both in quality and quantity, it has also established, ahead of its rival concerns in Japan, adequate facilities for making reduced-size editions and for repairing and fitting up instruments or apparatuses, so that the business aspect of the miniature movie may be conducted with thorough efficiency. (g) Expansion of the Travelling Movie Circuits. For small towns or border districts where there are no regular movie houses, the Corporation has persistently endeavored to promote the spread of educational and entertainment films by instituting travelling circuits. In view, however, of the existing state of affairs in this country, the Corporation has effected the expansion and improve- Continued on Page 1645

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20 ment of the system in close collaboration with the authorities of the Government, the Hsieh-ho-hui (Manchoukuo Concordia Association) and other organs interested. (h) Control of Attractions So far no control has been exercised over the 'attractions' offered in the regular movie houses, with the result that some of the programs often proved to be of questionable character, intended merely for profit. Indeed, the situation has been such that the Corporation which maintains close contact with the masses of the people through motion pictures, feels itself in duty bound to take some measures for the remedy of the evil. The Corporation, therefore, has taken charge of the situation in response to the general needs by assuming, from this year, not only the control of programs but also the arrangement of them itself. (i) Production of a Complete Series of Screen Versions of the General Conditions of Manchoukuo

21 The necessity of introducing to the world through films all the phases of the remarkable progress achieved by Manchoukuo in all the fields of her activities, embracing politics, economics, industries, culture and what not, has long been keenly felt among the thinking class of the nation. Having now attained the stage of efficiency adequate to secure the proper functioning of its business facilities, the Company has already launched this big project and organized a Production Committee', composed of experts page 1646 from various quarters. At present, the Corporation has set itself the task of producing the following series: History of the Foundation of Manchoukuo; Manchoukuo Concordia Association; Army and Navy of Manchoukuo; Agricultural Co-operative Societies in Manchoukuo; Economics of Manchoukuo; Finance and Banking in Manchoukuo; Heavy Industries of Manchoukuo; Light Industries of Manchoukuo; Agriculture of Manchoukuo; Forestry of Manchoukuo; Mining Industry of Manchoukuo; Salt Industry of Manchoukuo; Live-stock Farming of Manchoukuo; Fisheries of Manchoukuo; Staple Products of Manchoukuo; Communication and Transportation in Manchoukuo; Aviation in Manchoukuo; Postal Administration of Manchoukuo; Urban Communities of Manchoukuo; Rural Communities of Manchoukuo; Sightseeing in Manchoukuo; Social Conditions in Manchoukuo; Living Conditions of the People of Manchoukuo; Religions of Manchoukuo; Literature and Arts of Manchoukuo; Education of Manchoukuo. (j) Establishment of Research Laboratory and High Precision Machine Workshop So far, in Manchoukuo, no systematic technical study has been conducted in regular cinema circles or other departments of the motion picture industry on the faculties of the apparatuses or instruments or other technical and mechanical matters connected with the industry. When, therefore, disorder occurred in the working of the projecting apparatus of a movie house, there was no alternative but to depend upon technicians in Japan, and it frequently happened that some of the regular movie houses, unable to have their machines in service due to the time and expenses required for repairs, were compelled to cause no

22 small amount of inconvenience to theatre-goers in general. Realizing the urgent necessity of rectifying such a deplorable situation, the Corporation has established in 1939 a research laboratory and a high precision machine workshop with a view to rectifying this deficiency as well as to promoting the technical advancement of moviedom in general in Manchoukuo.