An exhibition about Sichuan Road N. and the origin of Chinese movies opened at the INLET in Hongkou District on July 22.
The exhibition, titled "Listening to the Tides of the Sea, Glittering Lights,” uses innovative digital displays and immersive interactive performances to present the historical scenes of the emergence and prosperity of Chinese movies in Shanghai, deeply embedding the city's spirit and showcasing its character.
Hongkou is the cradle of Chinese cinema. The first film screening and the first cinema in China both took place in Hongkou.
The exhibition connects cultural classics such as the Zhapu Road Film Base and the Victory Cinema, recreating the historical scene of "crossing the river to watch movies."
Through four chapters—Cinema Map, Film Industry Traces, Film Figures, and Film Events—combined with artifacts, images, and documents, the exhibition vividly presents the origins of Chinese cinema in Hongkou.
It focuses on early Chinese film pioneers like the Shaw Brothers, Dan Duyu, and Cai Chusheng, highlighting their contributions to the development of Chinese cinema and interpreting the spirit of Shanghai's inclusive and innovative culture.
A highlight of the exhibition is its innovative integration of digital technology to create an immersive viewing experience. It features 12 knowledge checkpoints, six multimedia interactive areas, and a metaverse immersive space, guiding visitors on a dazzling journey through the history of Chinese cinema.
Visitors can engage in various interactive experiences, such as role-playing as screenwriters, exploring a digital cultural space at a newsstand, and participating in a virtual conversation with historical film figures.
In addition, a special exhibition for the dance drama film "The Eternal Wave," planned by Shanghai Sincere Media Co., is simultaneously on display. The exhibition features nearly 100 valuable historical photos and documents, showcasing the red legacy left by the covert operations in Shanghai, a city of glory.
Hongkou, praised by President Xi Jinping as the birthplace of haipai (Shanghai-style) culture, a source of advanced culture, and a gathering place for cultural celebrities, has a rich historical and cultural heritage that provides a solid foundation for the innovative development of haipai culture in the new era.
Currently, Hongkou is committed to thoroughly implementing Xi Jinping's cultural thought, strengthening cultural confidence, adhering to openness and inclusiveness, and striving to build the best practice area for Xi Jinping's cultural thought.
The district is dedicated to promoting, developing, and protecting its rich historical and cultural resources, fostering the integrated development of commerce, tourism, culture, sports, and exhibitions, and making culture visible, tangible, and enjoyable. These efforts aim to inject strong vitality and momentum into building "Shanghai North Bund, an Urban New Benchmark."
Hongkou will promote the contemporary expression of advanced culture, continually enhancing the "Three Cultural Sites" brand, and providing new momentum for the creation of the best practice area for Xi Jinping's cultural thought.