Laogong zhi aiqing (Laborer's Love)

Zhang Shichuan, CN 1922; Screenplay: Zheng Zhengqiu; Cinematography: Zhang Weitao; Cast: Zheng Zhegu, Zheng Zhengqiu, Yu Ying. DCP (from 35mm), bw, 24 min. Mandarin intertitles with English subtitles

Laborer's Love is a landmark of Chinese cinema: the earliest extant complete Chinese film. Conceived by one of the "fathers of Chinese cinema," social reformer and moralist Zheng Zhengqiu, and directed by entertainment film entrepreneur Zhang Shichuan, this 1922 short film pioneers three genres: romance, comedy, and slapstick action. Carpenter-fruit seller Zheng is smitten by the daughter of Dr. Zhu, from a market stall across the lane. Zhu insists that Zheng make his business prosper before he approves of the match. Zheng then constructs an ingenious trick staircase that sends a stream of injured nightclub rowdies to Dr. Zhu. Instant profits. Adeptly deploying spectacular stunts, matches on action, parallel narrative, POV shots, fast motion, and inserts into a flat…